Designing a Modern Cocktail Bar in Brussels: From Concept to Budget Estimation

BALO

Project Introduction and Problem Statement [0:00]

• The creator expresses a passion for mixology, making cocktails at home. [0:00] [Image 3]
  • An example of the cocktail making process is shown. [0:08] [Image 4]
  • The process continues with mashing ingredients. [0:15] [Image 7]
  • And pouring the finished drink. [0:23] [Image 11]
  • A finished Caipirinha cocktail. [0:25] [Image 12]
• Identifies a lack of modern cocktail bars in Brussels, with many having a vintage or floral ambiance that doesn't appeal to his personal taste. [0:31]
• Decides to create a unique cocktail bar concept from scratch, covering all aspects of its identity. [0:44]
• Outlines the main steps for the project:
  • Studying the competition. [0:49] [Image 20]
  • Creating a brand strategy. [0:52] [Image 21]
  • Designing the graphic identity (logo, menus, photos). [0:55] [Image 22]
  • Designing the interior in 3D and estimating the budget. [0:58] [Image 23]

Competition Study [0:49]

• The creator starts by researching existing cocktail bars in Brussels online to understand the local market. [1:13] [Image 28]
• Documents various bars and their aesthetics: [1:19] [Image 30]
  • Bar Magritte: Described as artistic and magnificent, with a distinct visual identity, including its website homepage [1:42] [Image 35] and various interior views. [1:47] [Image 37], [1:50] [Image 40]
  • The Greenman Cocktail Bar: Has a floral ambiance [1:54] [Image 42] but features unique, quirky urinals. [2:01] [Image 45] The cocktails also feature floral garnishes. [1:58] [Image 43]
  • The Modern Alchemist: Features a traditional bar setting with brick walls. [2:06] [Image 48]
  • Chemistry & Botanics: Features traditional or vintage-floral themes, which are not the desired aesthetic. [2:11] [Image 50], [2:14] [Image 51], [2:16] [Image 53]
• The goal is to understand the competition to develop a differentiated concept. [1:38]

Brand Strategy [2:25]

• Understanding Brand Naming Types:
  • Explores various types of brand names, including acronyms like EDF and SNCF. [2:32] [Image 57]
  • Emphasizes that a good name should be original, memorable, meaningful, and contribute to success. [2:35]
• Historical Research on Cocktails in Brussels:
  • Discovers that the "Black Russian" cocktail was created in 1949 at the Metropole Hotel in Brussels by bartender Gustave Tops for American ambassador Perle Mesta. [2:40] [Image 60], [2:45] [Image 61], [2:57] [Image 62], [3:03] [Image 63]
  • The ingredients for a Black Russian are vodka and coffee liqueur. [3:11] [Image 64]
  • The Black Russian cocktail itself is shown. [3:13] [Image 65]
  • The alternative "White Russian" was popularized by the movie The Big Lebowski. [3:16] [Image 66]
• Naming the Bar:
  • Decides to name the bar "Gustave" in honor of Gustave Tops, linking it to the historical origin of a famous cocktail in Brussels. [3:24]
• Defining the Brand's DNA:
  • A mind map outlines the overall brand strategy for "Gustave." [3:30] [Image 70]
  • Mission: To make cocktail art accessible, offer unique alcoholic and non-alcoholic options, provide a welcoming space for everyone, and host relaxed DJ nights. [3:39] [Image 71]
  • Values: Sharing, memorable moments, quality, impeccable service, tolerance, and openness (welcoming both drinkers and non-drinkers). [3:39] [Image 71]
  • Vision: To become an iconic and authentic Brussels landmark, a reference for cocktail enthusiasts, mocktail lovers, and live music. [3:39] [Image 71]
• Tone of Voice: Friendly, warm, accessible, not elitist, with a touch of light humor. [3:42] [Image 73]
• Target Audience: Young "bobos" (25-50 years old), cocktail lovers, mocktail enthusiasts, individuals who appreciate sophisticated yet relaxed atmospheres, live music, and cultural experiences. [3:47] [Image 75]
• Unique Selling Propositions (USP):
  • Modern, minimalist, and elegant cocktail bar, contrasting with classical/kitsch styles. [3:57] [Image 79]
  • Extensive non-alcoholic drink menu. [3:57] [Image 79]
  • Jazzy DJ sets and chill-house music for a refined and immersive ambiance. [3:57] [Image 79]
  • "Homemade" cocktail concept using fresh ingredients and house-made aperitifs. [3:57] [Image 79]
  • Use of noble materials (waxed concrete, wood, metal, subtle vintage elements) for a timeless aesthetic. [3:57] [Image 79]

Graphic Identity - Inspirations, Logo & Typography, Stationery, Photography [4:07]

• Visual Inspirations (Mood Board):
  • The creative process begins with gathering inspirations. [4:07] [Image 82]
  • A mood board is used to organize various inspirations. [4:10] [Image 83]
  • Interior Design: Industrial, minimalist, and raw style with materials like concrete, wood, metal, and subtle plants. [4:16] [Image 85], [4:24] [Image 86]
  • Graphic Style: Art Deco-inspired, but subtle and modern, using clean lines and elegant typography. [4:30] [Image 88]
  • Photography: Flash photography for intense lights and deep shadows, creating an impactful, almost collage-like aesthetic for cocktail imagery. [4:42]
  • The full mood board showing all inspirations. [4:54] [Image 98]
• Logo Design Process:
  • Sketches abstract and minimalist logos, aiming for an iconic symbol that subtly represents a cocktail glass and a slice of lime. [4:54] [Image 102]
  • Further sketches explore combinations of a 'G' and cocktail elements. [5:10] [Image 103]
  • The refined sketches for the logo. [5:27] [Image 106]
  • Focuses on a design within a circle, where a cocktail glass is integrated with a lime, also hinting at the letter 'G' for Gustave, shown in Illustrator. [5:39] [Image 108], [5:44] [Image 109]
  • Iterates multiple variations to refine the design, ensuring it's identifiable yet subtle. The final minimalist logo design. [5:50] [Image 110]
  • Verifies the uniqueness of the chosen logo using Google Image Search. [6:06] [Image 115]
• Typography Selection:
  • Selects "BD Orange Variable" for titles, offering a personalized Art Deco-inspired look with elongated forms. [6:47] [Image 117]
  • Customization of the "Gustave" logotype in Illustrator. [6:55] [Image 118]
  • The "BD Orange Variable" font is presented. [7:00] [Image 126]
  • Chooses "DM Sans" for body text due to its simplicity and readability. [7:10]
  • An overview of the combined logo and typography elements. [7:11] [Image 128]
• Stationery Design (Business Card & Menus):
  • The process of setting up the business card grid. [7:19]
  • Business Card: Features the "Gustave" logotype partially cropped for a graphic effect on a dark background. The reverse side includes essential contact information, operating hours, and social media details, utilizing a grid layout and ample white space. [7:54] [Image 137]
  • The grid for the menu design is prepared. [7:55]
  • Menus: Creates two distinct menu designs (cocktails and mocktails). Each features the logo, main categories (Short Drink, Long Drink, Signature), and handwritten category titles for a personal touch, alongside drink descriptions and prices. [8:52] [Image 146]
  • Handwritten category titles are sketched for a personal touch. [9:06] [Image 149]
  • The final menus are shown, incorporating the handwritten elements. [9:21] [Image 153]
• Cocktail Photography and Mockups:
  • Conducts a home photoshoot for the "Caipirinha" cocktail, using a simple dark background and flash lighting. [9:32] [Image 161]
  • Edits photos in Photoshop to enhance contrast and saturation, then crops them. [9:50] [Image 163], [9:53] [Image 164]
  • The Black Russian cocktail is also photographed. [9:59] [Image 166]
  • Integrates the edited cocktail photos with the new branding elements (logo, typography) to create social media posts like this Instagram mockup. [10:01] [Image 167]
  • More cocktail photography is shown. [10:39] [Image 170], [10:50] [Image 172]

3D Interior Design in Blender [10:59]

• The section begins with a sticky note indicating "BLENDER". [10:59] [Image 175]
• Disclaimer: The creator emphasizes that he is not an interior designer or architect and that the 3D design is an artistic vision, not a professional blueprint. [11:03]
• Floor Plan Sketch: Draws a basic floor plan of the bar. [11:15] [Image 182]
  • The bar element is added to the sketch. [11:32] [Image 183]
  • Seating areas with tables and chairs for small groups are sketched. [11:41] [Image 184]
  • A lounge area with sofas and low tables is added. [11:51] [Image 186]
  • The completed floor plan sketch. [12:08] [Image 188]
• Basic 3D Modeling (Blender):
  • The Blender software icon. [12:15] [Image 189]
  • Starts with a simple cube to define the room's dimensions. [12:18] [Image 190]
  • Models basic blocks for furniture and architectural elements like the bar, tables, and walls, creating openings for windows and doors. [12:21] [Image 191], [12:28] [Image 192]
  • Adds an HDRI (High Dynamic Range Image) to simulate sunlight and evaluate lighting within the space, showing an early render. [12:38] [Image 194], [12:44] [Image 195]
• Populating the Scene with Details:
  • Imports various 3D models of furniture (stools, chairs, tables), bar equipment (bottles, glasses), and decorative elements (plants, books, speakers, QR codes, pictures of Hotel Metropole, radiators). [12:54]
  • The Chocofur store, a source for 3D models, is shown. [12:56] [Image 197]
  • Importing furniture models into Blender. [13:14] [Image 204]
  • Bar stools added to the scene. [13:21] [Image 206]
  • Bottles and glasses are added to the bar shelves. [13:29] [Image 208]
  • Bookshelves and plants are placed. [13:38] [Image 209]
  • Radiators and other decorative items are added. [13:46] [Image 210]
  • A more complete render of the bar interior taking shape. [14:04] [Image 212]
  • Applying textures and materials in Blender using the node editor. [14:14] [Image 214]
  • Detailed glassware on shelves. [14:24] [Image 215]
  • Concrete texture being applied. [14:28] [Image 216]
  • Overviews of the textured 3D scene from different angles. [14:30] [Image 217], [14:32] [Image 218]
  • Emphasizes the significant time and effort involved in perfecting these details and understanding Blender's functionalities, including lighting, textures, and troubleshooting. [14:17]

Budget Estimation [14:44]

• The section begins with a sticky note for "LE BUDGET". [14:44] [Image 221]
• Uses ChatGPT to obtain a detailed preliminary budget estimate for opening the "Gustave" bar in Brussels. [14:53] [Image 223]
• The estimate covers several categories:
  • Interior Work & Materials: Covers custom marble bar, flooring, ceilings, lighting, decorations, plants, furniture (sofas, tables, chairs), and mirrors. [15:07] [Image 225]
• Total Estimated Cost: Between €126,000 and €150,000 for a well-maintained existing space, or €350,000 to €400,000 for a fully renovated luxurious space. [15:14] [Image 227]
• The creator notes that his own branding work (estimated by AI at €5,000) will be more cost-effective. [15:24] [Image 229]

Final Reveal and Conclusion [15:34]

• Presents the final rendered 3D images of the "Gustave" bar interior, showcasing the implemented design and branding elements.
  • The minimalist logo. [16:13] [Image 240]
  • Mockups of the cocktail and mocktail menus. [16:15] [Image 241]
  • A view of the seating area in the final 3D render. [16:19] [Image 242]
  • A view of the bar area in the final 3D render. [16:20] [Image 243]
• Concludes the project, highlighting the comprehensive nature of the design process. [16:08]