The brief
A multi-location izakaya chain operating across 12 US cities needed a storefront signage system that would carry the visual weight of authentic Japanese dining culture into the American market — while maintaining consistent brand recognition across all locations. The challenge: Japanese signage design relies heavily on calligraphic characters and neon craftsmanship, both of which resist standardisation. The client wanted a system that felt rooted in Japanese tradition but was manufacturable at scale across the US.
What we built
We designed a three-tier signage package that functions as a single visual identity system:
- Neon blade sign (projecting) — the word KANSO in illuminated acrylic channel letters, mounted on a projecting arm to create a three-dimensional presence on the street. LED modules are recessed within aluminium raceway channels, with an IP-rated housing that withstands outdoor conditions year-round. The blade uses warm-white LED for legibility against both daytime and night skies.
- Vertical kanji character sign — a front-lit LED sign with back-lit acrylic face, featuring a single kanji character that anchors the brand’s Japanese origin. The sign is mounted flush to the storefront wall with concealed stand-off hardware. LED life is rated 50,000+ hours with a warm-white output that complements the interior dining light.
- SEG light box (street-level) — a soft-edge light box at pedestrian level, with an edge-lit back-lit acrylic face that draws attention at eye level. Aluminium returns and trim cap frame the face, with concealed wiring routed through internal raceway channels. The SEG format eliminates harsh light bleed at the edges, producing a clean, modern appearance.
All three elements share the same material palette — powder-coated aluminium frames, acrylic faces, and warm-white LED — ensuring visual continuity across the entire package.
How the project ran
Production was structured in three phases. Phase 1 (design): our team worked with the client’s brand team to define the kanji character, confirm the English wordmark spelling, and produce photorealistic mockups for approval. Phase 2 (fabrication): all 36 signage units (3 per location × 12 locations) were fabricated in a single production run in Shenzhen to maintain consistent quality. Each unit was QC-inspected before shipping. Phase 3 (logistics): units were consolidated into 6 sea-freight containers, distributed to regional hubs, then delivered by regional installer partners.
Delivery and installation
Production lead time was 12 working days from approved artwork to shipped units. Sea freight to US regional hubs added 28 days. Installation was completed by local partners over a 6-week window across all 12 locations. The project was completed and commissioned in 2026.
Outcome
The chain now operates with a single, consistent storefront identity across 12 cities. Night-time street photography shows the signage package functioning as intended: the neon blade draws approach traffic from a distance, the kanji character anchors the Japanese brand story at the door, and the SEG light box fills the eye-level gap that most storefronts leave empty. The client has since commissioned additional locations using the same template.
