It was a lovely surprise being contacted to re-launch a brand I once designed more than a decade ago. Today Halia can be found in the lush tropical surrounds of Singapore’s Botanic Gardens, the historic and iconic Raffles Hotel and fast-rising Hanoi, Vietnam. Going with a largely single coloured (black) look, we went for classic Garamond for that decidedly institutional feel. Austere? Perhaps. Confident? Certainly.

Halia is known especially in Singapore for their no-compromise approach to service in the face of the current hospitality climate where lesser rivals are cutting corners with cheap and untrained staff. Beyond that, are the founders relentless discernment in good taste (they’ve recently brought on board star Aussie Chef Ciaran Armstrong) and their ability to extend their palatte passions to the locals. I met them early this year and they took on board every swig and morsel of Melbourne’s finest.

Check out the Halia website, one of our more ambitious projects this side of 2012 (coded by Elite PSD Coding). It uses a dynamic browser fit background imagery that also acts as a slide show and offers that cinematic effect that imitates the beauty of every ambient environment wherever you find a Halia restaurant.

Congratulations Chris and Esther James for showing us what passion and hard work can do.

The Halia brand re-launch is still a work-in-progress. So keep watching this space for updates and newer pictures.