Seeds Marketplace

2024

Top view of people's hands while sharing a large meal.

Seeds is looking to satisfy hungry palates with a reimagined menu, filled with delicious, locally-sourced ingredients. We came up with a fun and inviting brand identity, remodeled Seeds' interior with a fresh coat of paint, and created colorful 360 campaigns for this deliciously mouthwatering rebrand.

CLIENT

USC Hospitality

Role

Brand Designer, Art Director

Year

2024

Scope

Brand Identity

Art Direction

Environmental

Seeds Marketplace

Top view of people's hands while sharing a large meal.

Seeds is looking to satisfy hungry palates with a reimagined menu, filled with delicious, locally-sourced ingredients. We came up with a fun and inviting brand identity, remodeled Seeds' interior with a fresh coat of paint, and created colorful 360 campaigns for this deliciously mouthwatering rebrand.

CLIENT

USC Hospitality

Role

Brand Designer, Art Director

Year

2024

Scope

Brand Identity

Art Direction

Environmental

Seeds Marketplace

Top view of people's hands while sharing a large meal.

Seeds is looking to satisfy hungry palates with a reimagined menu, filled with delicious, locally-sourced ingredients. We came up with a fun and inviting brand identity, remodeled Seeds' interior with a fresh coat of paint, and created colorful 360 campaigns for this deliciously mouthwatering rebrand.

CLIENT

USC Hospitality

Role

Brand Designer, Art Director

Year

2024

Scope

Brand Identity

Art Direction

Environmental

About

Conveniently situated near USC's central Hahn Plaza, Seeds Marketplace's easily accessible location makes it an easy choice for university students and staff looking for a generous selection of snacks, meals, and beverages. Seeds differentiates itself through its outstanding selection of freshly-made offerings, ranging from its hearty breakfast sandwiches and organic poke bowls, to comfort foods like crispy chicken wings and delectable pastries.

About

Conveniently situated near USC's central Hahn Plaza, Seeds Marketplace's easily accessible location makes it an easy choice for university students and staff looking for a generous selection of snacks, meals, and beverages. Seeds differentiates itself through its outstanding selection of freshly-made offerings, ranging from its hearty breakfast sandwiches and organic poke bowls, to comfort foods like crispy chicken wings and delectable pastries.

The Task

Seeds Marketplace underwent a refresh of its menus at the start of the 2023 fall semester to incorporate more organic and vegan alternatives for its customers. The USC Auxiliary Services design team was tasked to conceptualize and renew Seeds Marketplaces' branding, interior, and signage to better reflect their eventual pivot into health-conscious alternatives.

The Task

Seeds Marketplace underwent a refresh of its menus at the start of the 2023 fall semester to incorporate more organic and vegan alternatives for its customers. The USC Auxiliary Services design team was tasked to conceptualize and renew Seeds Marketplaces' branding, interior, and signage to better reflect their eventual pivot into health-conscious alternatives.

Seeds logos before and after.
Seeds logos before and after.

A Fresh new Look

A modern, sensible approach in providing sustainable and healthy meals necessitated that Seeds' updated branding properly reflects its mission. We took advantage of the clean lines found in the sans-serif typeface Trade Gothic Next LT Pro and softened the corners of its uppercase letters to give it a friendlier demeanor. Familiarizing oneself in Seeds' new selection of meals should be an easy and straightforward task.

A Fresh new Look

A modern, sensible approach in providing sustainable and healthy meals necessitated that Seeds' updated branding properly reflects its mission. We took advantage of the clean lines found in the sans-serif typeface Trade Gothic Next LT Pro and softened the corners of its uppercase letters to give it a friendlier demeanor. Familiarizing oneself in Seeds' new selection of meals should be an easy and straightforward task.

Collection of Seeds' new logos and wordmarks.
Collection of Seeds' new logos and wordmarks.

Typography

While a singular weight from one typeface is enough to establish a brand, it may not have the flexibility required to account for all possible applications. As such, several secondary and tertiary weights and typefaces were employed to develop a branding system robust enough for used in almost all media, with each typeface carefully considered to provide enough contrast and improved legibility at all levels.

Typography

While a singular weight from one typeface is enough to establish a brand, it may not have the flexibility required to account for all possible applications. As such, several secondary and tertiary weights and typefaces were employed to develop a branding system robust enough for used in almost all media, with each typeface carefully considered to provide enough contrast and improved legibility at all levels.

Seeds typography.
Seeds typography.

Color

Seeds' transition into a lighter and more vibrant palette retains its connection to nature through the use of two vibrant shades of green (Seeds Green, Forest Green), with Seedling White being added to provide a much needed contrast to its saturated counterparts. Four additional colors (Mint Leaf, Cake Sprinkle, Chicken Crisp, Runny Yolk) were later introduced to represent items found in Seeds' other menus.

Color

Seeds' transition into a lighter and more vibrant palette retains its connection to nature through the use of two vibrant shades of green (Seeds Green, Forest Green), with Seedling White being added to provide a much needed contrast to its saturated counterparts. Four additional colors (Mint Leaf, Cake Sprinkle, Chicken Crisp, Runny Yolk) were later introduced to represent items found in Seeds' other menus.

Seeds color palette
Seeds color palette

Mood Boards & Ideation

Seeds' photography collection aims to highlight the colorful foods and high-quality ingredients offered by the brand. Prior to our collaboration with a food photographer, the Auxiliary Services design team embarked on their own competitor research, mood board creation, and composition sketches. Being able to show our inspirations and describe our priorities in detail allowed for quick set turnovers during the three-day photoshoot session.

Mood Boards & Ideation

Seeds' photography collection aims to highlight the colorful foods and high-quality ingredients offered by the brand. Prior to our collaboration with a food photographer, the Auxiliary Services design team embarked on their own competitor research, mood board creation, and composition sketches. Being able to show our inspirations and describe our priorities in detail allowed for quick set turnovers during the three-day photoshoot session.

Seeds moodboard.
Seeds moodboard.

Photography

The imagery used across Seeds' branding campaigns were aimed to communicate two major tenets: (1) to show the possibilities of a healthy lifestyle through high-quality, yet affordable, ingredients and (2) that experiences created while sharing meals can foster a sense of community and growth.

Photography

The imagery used across Seeds' branding campaigns were aimed to communicate two major tenets: (1) to show the possibilities of a healthy lifestyle through high-quality, yet affordable, ingredients and (2) that experiences created while sharing meals can foster a sense of community and growth.

Environmental

Murals

One of the major challenges encountered by the design team was finding a way to incorporate and highlight the ingredients used in Seeds' menus. Hand-drawn murals, posters, and hanging signs were among some of the proposed solutions, but a more pragmatic approach came through the use of vinyl artwork decorating the upper sections of the walls. In addition, the large range of sturdy, cost-effective materials, paired with its quick turnaround time, made vinyl a beneficial solution as we raced against encroaching deadlines and an increasingly constrained budget.

Environmental

Murals

One of the major challenges encountered by the design team was finding a way to incorporate and highlight the ingredients used in Seeds' menus. Hand-drawn murals, posters, and hanging signs were among some of the proposed solutions, but a more pragmatic approach came through the use of vinyl artwork decorating the upper sections of the walls. In addition, the large range of sturdy, cost-effective materials, paired with its quick turnaround time, made vinyl a beneficial solution as we raced against encroaching deadlines and an increasingly constrained budget.

Seeds mural on top section of white wall.
Seeds mural on top section of white wall.
Seeds mural and signage.
Seeds mural and signage.
Seeds mural and signage.
Seeds mural and signage.
Seeds mural and signage.
Seeds mural and signage.

Menus & Signage

As Seeds' menus were often in constant revision, we shifted towards a lightweight cardboard material to keep printing costs low and ensure a seamless replacement procedure. Each menu was affixed to large metal boards using three small round tacks on either side. These boards, in turn, were attached to durable metal rods connected to the surrounding walls or surfaces.

Menus & Signage

As Seeds' menus were often in constant revision, we shifted towards a lightweight cardboard material to keep printing costs low and ensure a seamless replacement procedure. Each menu was affixed to large metal boards using three small round tacks on either side. These boards, in turn, were attached to durable metal rods connected to the surrounding walls or surfaces.

Seeds signage.
Seeds signage.
Seeds signage for pastries and other baked goods.
Seeds signage for pastries and other baked goods.
Close up of "Greens & Grains" signage.
Close up of "Greens & Grains" signage.
Close up view of mural and "Grab & Go" signage.
Close up view of mural and "Grab & Go" signage.
Close up view of mural and "Sunny & Shady" signage.
Close up view of mural and "Sunny & Shady" signage.

Accessories

Pins

Small Seeds-themed accessories can be used to introduce unique flairs to employee aprons and uniforms. Several pins were made in the shape of the official logo and secondary marks, with their color profiles taken from Seeds' brand palette. A variety of colorful fruit and vegetable pins were added to complete this collection of pin accessories.

Accessories

Pins

Small Seeds-themed accessories can be used to introduce unique flairs to employee aprons and uniforms. Several pins were made in the shape of the official logo and secondary marks, with their color profiles taken from Seeds' brand palette. A variety of colorful fruit and vegetable pins were added to complete this collection of pin accessories.

Assortment of Seeds pins.
Assortment of Seeds pins.

Marketing & Advertisements

Walkway Signage

Exterior signage positioned along Child's Way, the main route running across the USC campus, helps advertise Seeds's fall semester opening. Photography covers a large portion of the signage's surface area to help entice potential customers.

Marketing & Advertisements

Walkway Signage

Exterior signage positioned along Child's Way, the main route running across the USC campus, helps advertise Seeds's fall semester opening. Photography covers a large portion of the signage's surface area to help entice potential customers.

Seeds totem pole signage.
Seeds totem pole signage.

Posters & Flyers

Supplemental posters and handouts can also be distributed throughout the university to expand the total advertisement perimeter. Variations inspired by the exterior signage provides a convenient way of creating alternative layouts, while utilizing the same call to action.

Posters & Flyers

Supplemental posters and handouts can also be distributed throughout the university to expand the total advertisement perimeter. Variations inspired by the exterior signage provides a convenient way of creating alternative layouts, while utilizing the same call to action.

Seeds posters and flyers.
Seeds posters and flyers.

Digital Outreach

Social Media

Taking advantage of social media allows Seeds to deliver campaigns and advertisement outreach to a broader audience. Creating an account dedicated to the brand allows Seeds to communicate with interested parties through posts and stories; online users can also use these social media accounts to view current promotions, ongoing events, and other pertinent information.

Digital Outreach

Social Media

Taking advantage of social media allows Seeds to deliver campaigns and advertisement outreach to a broader audience. Creating an account dedicated to the brand allows Seeds to communicate with interested parties through posts and stories; online users can also use these social media accounts to view current promotions, ongoing events, and other pertinent information.

Collection of Seeds social posts on Instagram.
Collection of Seeds social posts on Instagram.

Online Orders

The Mobile Order app is the primary way university staff and students can purchase meals at their favorite restaurants without participating in long queues. Discovering new ways to advertise the Mobile Order app brings benefits to both the customers and the university: while students and staff receive a better customer experience through reduced wait times and digital coupons, the university can expect increases in profits through larger amounts of online orders.

Online Orders

The Mobile Order app is the primary way university staff and students can purchase meals at their favorite restaurants without participating in long queues. Discovering new ways to advertise the Mobile Order app brings benefits to both the customers and the university: while students and staff receive a better customer experience through reduced wait times and digital coupons, the university can expect increases in profits through larger amounts of online orders.

Mobile app UI update for Seeds online order.
Mobile app UI update for Seeds online order.

©2025 Rae Gaddi. All Rights Reserved.

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©2025 Rae Gaddi. All Rights Reserved.

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