THE CHALLENGE
Sakura Sushi & Grill had a loyal following in South Lyon, but with a new location opening in Novi and plans for another in Detroit, the brand needed to level up. The goal: keep the soul, raise the bar. It had to feel premium but stay approachable and work seamlessly across signage, interiors, and digital touchpoints.
THE SOLUTION
We built a bold, scalable brand system that made Sakura instantly recognizable. Striking red and deep purple became the brand’s visual anchors, creating consistency across every location and platform.
MY PART
As the Creative Director, my contributions included:
✔ Led the creative strategy, branding, and design direction
✔ Developed branded templates for menus, marketing, pitch decks, and franchise expansion
✔ Integrated environmental branding across signage, interiors, and packaging
✔ Refreshed the digital presence with a new website and social strategy
THE CHALLENGE
The rebrand positioned Sakura for expansion without sacrificing what made it special. The consistent visual system made each new location feel unmistakably Sakura, whether customers walked into the South Lyon original or the new Detroit spot. The premium look attracted new customers while keeping loyal regulars comfortable. The scalable templates and brand guidelines made franchise expansion smoother, giving each location the tools to stay on-brand without needing constant design support. Sakura went from a local favorite to a recognizable brand ready to grow across Michigan.
