Tudor Cafe
Project Overview
Tudor Café is a student café located at the University of Greenwich’s Avery Hill campus in Eltham, south-east London. Inspired by the rich heritage of nearby Eltham Palace and the fact that many campus buildings are named after the wives of Henry VIII, the concept aimed to bring local history to life in an accessible and engaging way.
Through early conversations and workshops, we found that many international students weren’t familiar with the area’s historical context - which became an exciting opportunity to build a brand that could both welcome and inform.
My Role
As lead designer, I developed the brand from the ground up - crafting the identity, interior concept, signage, and all printed and digital materials to create a unified, welcoming space that’s both rooted in local history and designed for everyday student life.
The visual identity blends opulent, heritage-inspired colours, warm wood tones, and Etna, a classic serif typeface inspired by 19th-century wood type. The tone of voice mixes playfulness with historical nods, inviting curiosity and connection.
From branded signage and menus to in-café messaging, the identity feels distinct, characterful, and consistent - making the Tudor Café instantly recognisable while giving it room to evolve.
The café was designed not just as a service point, but as a community hub. The interior was designed to feel warm and communal, offering a place for studying, meeting friends, or simply relaxing. I also designed printed materials, social assets, wayfinding, and campaign content to help the brand thrive across touchpoints.
We ran workshops with students to test creative directions and learn what made them feel welcome. The branding was grounded in both research and empathy - using local context as a tool for meaningful storytelling.
Outcome and impact
Tudor Café now serves over 1,000 residents and many more visitors on campus, offering a cosy space for students to connect, unwind, and learn about their surroundings.
Since its launch, it has become a beloved part of student life. The café is also a commercial success, operating as a social enterprise with all profits reinvested into student wellbeing and campus improvements.
This project demonstrates how thoughtful branding can shape real community spaces, enriching both culture and daily experience.
“Elena’s design work has a beautiful balance of form and content. She is able to connect with audiences and develop impactful design compositions that make people feel something.”
- Stacey Pitsillides, PhD, Assistant Professor at Northumbria University