Kyoto hotel with digital charm and analog soul
A calm brand with bold moments, built through design.

Challenge

Zenmai Hotel, nestled in the heart of Kyoto, wanted a refreshed identity to resonate with younger, design-aware travellers, without losing its classical soul. The challenge? Merging timeless Japanese elegance with a visual twist that felt fresh, not forced.
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Inspired by Kyoto’s architecture, already a kind of “real-world retro”,
I explored pixel art as a parallel form of nostalgia. While both feel vintage, pixel graphics often read as playful and contemporary, especially to digital-native audiences. The goal wasn’t to make the hotel feel like a game, but to weave pixel elements subtly into its branding, adding a layer of charm without disrupting the calm.

Design Strategy

A deliberately virtual aesthetic was introduced to create subtle disruption, pixel elements that feel foreign at first glance, yet blend seamlessly into Kyoto’s calm visual language. This contrast became the brand’s signature rhythm: playful, quiet, and slightly uncanny. What seemed out of place became part of the place.

Identity

The pixelated fern logo transforms the hotel’s name into a symbol that feels at once organic and digital. Custom-designed icons follow the same logic, turning everyday amenities into a consistent low-resolution language. A pair of greens, drawn from early video game screens, brings a quiet glow of nostalgia to the system.

Spirits

These pixel characters don’t explain how to use the hotel, they explain why you might love it. From signage to social posts, they act as quirky messengers that bring humour and warmth into the experience.

System

The brand extends naturally into screens—where pixel characters lead, icons clarify, and motion breathes life into each interaction. Every page is designed with familiarity and charm, balancing traditional calm with a digital spark. It’s a virtual Kyoto that invites exploration, one tap at a time.

Impact

This project turned a cultural concept into a visual system—one that feels playful, local, and unexpectedly fresh. It demonstrates how design can balance emotion, context, and clarity, all while speaking to a new generation of travellers.

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Email
albert870306@gmail.com
Phone
(+44) 7471117806  /  (+886) 975966337
LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/chen-wei-fang-b45141141/