Andiamois a neighbourhood bar and eatery in Herne Bay, a suburb of Auckland, New Zealand. They recently partnered withStudio 024to reinvigorate a much-loved legacy brand, usingAF SteliosbyAbbr. Foundryas the main typeface, including for the wordmark. It is used together withSharp Type’sCordier Script. The challenge was to modernise the identity while staying true to its history and local roots. The refresh introduces a new wordmark grounded in heritage and sophistication, alongside a refined palette of rich greens and buttery yellows. Together, these elements bring warmth, confidence, and renewed clarity to the brand. The result is a considered evolution, honouring Andiamo’s past while setting it up for its next chapter on Herne Bay’s main strip.
AF Stelios communicates a refined Mediterranean warmth with artisanal confidence—the kind of unpretentious sophistication found in established European neighborhood establishments. The geometric sans serif backbone provides contemporary reliability while maintaining enough character quirks to feel personally crafted rather than corporate, perfectly embodying a local institution that has evolved thoughtfully over time.
AF Stelios works brilliantly for Andiamo because its moderate contrast and humanist proportions create approachability without sacrificing authority, essential for a neighborhood institution. The typeface's slightly condensed width and generous x-height ensure excellent readability across applications from signage to menus, while its distinctive character shapes (particularly the 'a' and 'g') provide memorable brand recognition without overwhelming the Mediterranean aesthetic.
The pairing creates sophisticated tension between contemporary confidence (AF Stelios) and handcrafted warmth (Cordier Script). Cordier's flowing letterforms provide the perfect counterbalance to Stelios' geometric structure, suggesting the human touch behind the professional operation—like a chef's personal signature on a perfectly plated dish.