Red Dragon Bao — Bold Flavor Meets Bold Design
Logo Design
Branding & Packaging
Illustration
Food Truck Wrap Design
OVERVIEW
Red Dragon Bao is an Austin-based food truck serving bold, modern takes on bao and Asian street food. With plans to grow into a brick-and-mortar restaurant, they needed more than just a logo—they needed a brand that could stop people in their tracks, spark curiosity, and leave a lasting impression throughout Austin.
As a repeat client, they returned to us knowing we could deliver with speed, quality, and attention to detail. Having worked with them before, we understood their high standards and their passion for creating something special. This project wasn’t just about design—it was about laying the foundation for a brand that could grow right alongside their ambitions.
THE CHALLENGE
Red Dragon Bao’s team knew the heart of their concept—flavorful bao, served fast, with a modern edge. But visually, the direction wasn’t clear. At first, the direction was playful and lighthearted, but halfway through the project, their vision shifted entirely. Requirements changed, and what once felt “cute and fun” no longer aligned with the bigger story they wanted to tell.
Instead of seeing this pivot as a setback, we embraced it. Supporting our clients through changes is part of how we work—we want the final result to feel right for them, no matter how many turns the journey takes. For Red Dragon Bao, that meant re-imagining their identity so it reflected both their culture and their food as one cohesive identity, while still being memorable & instagrammable on a busy Austin street.
LOGO DESIGN
We began with concepts that leaned into playful, cute, and fun directions—some of which are displayed as part of their brand journey. But as the vision evolved, so did the design. The final version features a bold red Chinese dragon, tying their cultural heritage directly into their food concept. Combined with strong typography, the logo feels both authentic and eye-catching, equally at home on a bao wrapper or a ten-foot food truck.
BRANDING & PACKAGING
We expanded the identity beyond the logo with a versatile color palette and packaging ideas. These concepts gave the client a tangible look at how their brand could live across touch-points—whether in the hands of a customer or on the side of a delivery bag. Each detail was designed for memorability, helping them carve out space in Austin’s thriving food scene.
ILLUSTRATION
The new vision leaned heavily on illustration, so we created custom artwork that gave Red Dragon Bao an authentic personality. Illustration became a central tool in telling the Red Dragon Bao story. We created custom artwork that gave the brand a distinct personality—playful enough to draw people in, bold enough to hold its own in a crowded market. This logo illustration helped unify the brand across print, packaging, and digital applications.
FOOD TRUCK WRAP DESIGN
Taking on our first food truck wrap was both a challenge and an opportunity. We balanced bold visuals with technical considerations for printing and installation, ensuring the design would hold up at scale. The finished wrap turned heads immediately, earning compliments from the client’s friends, customers, and even the wrap installation team. In fact, the quality of collaboration may open doors for us to partner with the wrap printing company on future projects for their other clients.
REVIEW PENDING
