Lao Huotang 品牌形象识别 by Bi Cheng Zhong is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 A' Design Award 铜奖 in 平面、插画与视觉传达设计 Competition Category.

铜平面· 2026

Lao Huotang 品牌形象识别

by Bi Cheng Zhong

A' Design Award 铜奖 Winner in 平面 Category

6,696

Verified Award Winner

Verify Award Status for #181844

View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

Colors

The Design

About Lao Huotang 品牌形象识别

老火堂是台湾一家火锅餐厅的品牌形象识别。标志描绘了一只手托起的铸铁锅，锅上升腾的蒸汽线条传达出慢火细炖的意象。中文字体以火焰形笔触书写，并与现代字体搭配组合。色彩体系层层叠加沸腾红、橙红、砖红与暖米色，引导视线由炉灶延伸至餐桌。标志与字体采用白色，以提升辨识度。该识别系统应用于招牌、菜单、名片及各类印刷物料。

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award 铜奖

Lao Huotang 品牌形象识别是 A' Design Award 铜奖得主，这是授予以创造力、独创性和敏锐见长的杰出设计的极具声望的认可。铜奖得主是技艺娴熟、创意惊人的作品，印证了其设计师丰富的经验、想象力与机智。预计Lao Huotang 品牌形象识别将成为一件备受推崇、令人钦佩且被珍爱的物品，兼具显著的专业性与创新性。这件赢得 A' Design Award 铜奖的设计融入艺术、科学、设计和技术领域的最佳实践，并因注重细节而出类拔萃。Lao Huotang 品牌形象识别出色地满足需求，触动渴望，迷住情感，并吸引好奇心。

Behind the Design

Press Kit

Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.

Unique Properties: The logo shows a cast iron pot held by a single hand, symbolizing the artisan's careful control and devotion to slow-cooked broth. Steam rising from the lid evokes simmering charm. The Chinese characters of 'Lao Huo Tang' feature brushstroke flames, reflecting the stove's flicker, paired with modern typography for professionalism and approachability. This cohesive identity spans signage, menus, business cards, and DM materials.
Dimensions & Packaging: The project required rebuilding brand identity and spatial perception on an existing operational base. Visual design had to adapt to limitations such as signage not extending to the second floor. Instead, the designer enhanced visibility with strategic color use and lightbox signage. Brand elements were incorporated into placemats, soup ladles, and sauce dishes-transforming every detail into a statement of culinary discernment.
Tags: Hot pot, Cantonese soup, cast iron pot, flame, warm color palette, rebranding
Production Technology: The visual palette centers on red (C34M100Y100K0), representing boiling broth and the passion of craftsmanship. It is complemented by saturated orange-red (C0M73Y92K0), brick red (C34M54Y80K0), and warm beige (C5M32Y18K0), forming a gradient from fire to table. White is used in the logo and typography to enhance clarity and modernity. Applications on red backgrounds, menu covers, and digital media enhance recognizability. Materials include matte foil stamping and spot UV finish, aligning with the brand's 'refined within affordability' philosophy.
Design Challenge: The main challenge was the site's physical limits and repositioning the brand. With a low storefront ceiling, vertical signage was impossible, so recognizability relied on a vivid red lightbox and precise color system. Simultaneously, the design needed to convey the artisanal, slow-simmered identity within a space historically perceived as a budget hot pot chain, elevating the brand without expanding its physical footprint.
Research: The redesign transforms hot pot dining perception by making flavor layering visually expressive, centering the identity on the cast iron pot and artisan hand. Swirling steam evokes slow simmering, while flame-inspired typography animates 'LAO HUO TaNG.' A palette of boiling red, brick, and warm beige evokes heat from stove to table. The refreshed identity feels 'adorable yet professional,' boosting recognition, social sharing, and establishing a new classic within Taiwanese hot pot culture.
Inspiration: In Taiwan's competitive hot pot market, Lao Huo Tang emphasizes 'broth as the protagonist,' rooted in Hong Kong and Macau Cantonese soup traditions. The brand revamp challenges low-cost hot pot stereotypes, highlighting the sincerity of slow cooking. The designer crafted a visual identity that conveys depth and layered flavor, blending tradition with innovation to establish a distinctive, atmospheric presence within Taiwan's hot pot industry.
Project Duration: The project finished in July 2021 in Taiwan.
Operation Flow: Following its launch, the brand's refreshed look drew attention from both loyal and new customers. The design was praised as 'adorable yet professional,' memorable, and full of sincerity. Customers noted that every detail-from the red visual theme to the white logo-reflected thoughtful design. The owner shared that many guests photographed and shared the restaurant on social media, commenting that it 'understands both soup and design.' The result: affordable, yet anything but ordinary-truly classic.'
Team Members: BI-CHENG ZHONG
Image Credits: Amazing Design