51-316 Experience by Design: Branding Restaurants from the Inside Out

9 units, Carnegie Mellon University

In this elective, students will explore branding beyond the classroom, specifically through the restaurant and hospitality industry lens. The course guides students through research, concept development, and brand positioning to create dynamic identity systems and real-world applications. Students will learn to think strategically about customer experience, market competition, and differentiation while designing comprehensive brand systems that include logo, color, typography, photography style, and brand voice. Through hands-on projects, they will apply these systems across key restaurant touch-points such as menus, signage, packaging, interiors, and social media. The course emphasizes professional communication and critique, preparing students to present their ideas to clients and respond to real-world feedback.

Prerequisites: none listed

Offered: Fall 2026, Fall 2025

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