Wiki Wiki's bold approach to Poke seafood dishes led us to take an equally bold approach: black and white, bold colours, and a dynamic identity. The new restaurant has been seen in Grand Rapids as "a piece of Amsterdam" within a city known for its Americana and provenance-based visual landscape. While engaging with the client, the brief came as a manifesto to move away from the Americana cues, or the Hawaiian "tiki" cues. The urban, intense, London-Amsterdam inspired design language brought the owner's vision to life.

Originally from Canada, Joel’s design practice is filled with complex and nuanced visual solutions for clients who demand sensitivity, insight, and communicable differences in the market. Start-ups, scale-ups and established brands benefit from his "no stones unturned" approach to problem solving, and his appreciation that complex situations bring forward unique perspectives. Before founding Studio Otherness, Joel’s focus on executing brand strategy led him to consult on refreshes and re-imaginings for companies such as Bosch, Elsevier, ING and Salomon. He previously worked with consultancies and agencies such as IDEO, HUGE and Landor. Joel is a consistent presence in the international design scene, sporting over 60 international publications, awards and features in his decade of work.

Dedicated to the right brand attitude, the right strategy, and the right moment. I work with agencies and companies to find their space and own it with conviction, courage and thought. With a focus on arts, culture, food & beverage, my focus is on bringing the unique perspective of each client forward.