Defining a refreshed visual language for a leading London nightlife institution.
OVERVIEW
The aim was to get to the heart of the Records Bars story to develop an authentic visual identity that’s distinctly “Records Bars.”
Since opening their doors in 2010 with Venn St. Records, the Records Bars has developed into a leading London nightlife institution spanning four sites across the City. The goal was to establish a creative vocabulary that truly reflects the brand’s musical ethos across all content.
The venues are immersed in the spirit and ethos of nostalgia and underground music with each site adorned by vinyl walls, magazine wallpaper, rich lighting and graphics. I leaned into genre references, ideas from counter-culture movements, scenes and old vinyl covers themselves. I derived inspiration from these worlds through their gig flyers, zines and photography, prioritising authenticity while honouring the subversive ethos of the brand, and laying a structured visual foundation for all content.
All work on this page executed by me.
SCOPE/ROLE
Creative Production
Multichannel Art Direction
Brand Voice
Content Strategy
Photography
Video Editing
Graphic Design
COLLABORATORS
Alex Cole // Digital Marketing Manager
Daisy Agboola // Social Media Manager
TIMELINE
October 2025 — Ongoing
PHOTOGRAPHY
Photography is a window into the heart of the Records Bars, and I wanted every photograph to represent the feeling and experience of being in the venue, whether that’s in candid moments or through a food and beverage shoot.
Previous photography adhered to a traditional event photography look, which I felt was unmotivated by venue lighting and undermined the true experience of being at the Records Bars.
I drew upon analogue techniques such as emulating my favourite film stocks and introducing grain and rich colour saturation, creating warmth and atmosphere, while using direct flash photography for those high energy, spontaneous moments.
Lifestyle Shoots
SOCIAL CONTENT
Well curated socials elevate brand storytelling. Your channels act like a storybook for people to pick up and immerse themselves in your world.
I wanted to allow the story and personality of the brand to unfold through the social channels by getting to the heart of the brand, showing it’s soul and rich textures with visuals dipped in nostalgia. I wanted it’s voice to indicate that this is a well curated space that cares about what it does, which is a commitment to quality music, good times and unpretentious atmosphere.
A lot of social strategies fall into the trap of becoming too “salesy” which each post becoming a pitch driving a a wedge between you and your audience. The key challenge was not to alienate our primarily millenial and gen z audience, so I widened the content pillars into music focussed posts, promotional reels that felt fun and energetic and widened thematic scope.
When maintaining visual cohesion across the grid, I became inspired by designs on small physical media like matchboxes, stamps, tags, polaroids, etc. that closely matched with the size and form of social grids and posts. I analysed what made these work on such a small surface, the heirarchy, the visual hooks, and how this translated to the social grid, each post acting as a node to entice you into the world you’re trying to present. This idea was key in developing a harmonious brand image when landing on our channels.
Valentines activation post with Chambord
Music editorial piece as a seamless scrolling carousel — Check it out!
This is a series showcasing the talent that plays at the Records. In an era where the hospitality industry is squeezed, combined with the rise of gen AI content, it’s a more relevant time than ever to show that you care about your brand through authentic stories that allow you a glimpse behind the scenes.
Developed in cooperation with our social media manager, this series is an opportunity to bring the musicians and DJs, who are our key protagonists in the Records Bars story, into focus through interviews that are light-hearted yet full of heart.
Series Ideator & Strategy: Daisy Agboola (Social Media Manager)
Direction, Camera, Editing & Sound: Me
Behind The Music Series
GRAPHIC DESIGN
Each one of the Records Bars is adorned with rows of vinyl, each sporting its own distinct artwork and subcultural nods. I wanted graphic design to feel like an extension of this building visual cohesion across the space.
With this in mind, I looked at replicating older characteristics of print graphics and zines digitally, such as half tones, ink bleeds, duotoning and distressed textures. I wanted the graphics to have a lived in, tangible feel and remove them from an overly digital, clinical look while keeping them vibrant, fun and accessible.
Each poster scales across print, digital and social.
Executed as Creative at Rocket Leisure. All trademarks and assets are the property of Rocket Leisure Ltd. and are displayed for portfolio purposes.