saachi mehta
hampi
Hampi is a present-day and historical city housing the ruins of Vijayanagara, a Hindu kingdom, whose rulers constructed elaborate temples and palaces from the 14th to 16th centuries. After being conquered and pillaged, this once-thriving capital was abandoned, leaving behind a beautiful archaeological landscape.
My identity design honors this cultural heritage by incorporating both English and Kannada, the local language of Karnataka, creating a bridge between Hampi's historical significance and contemporary accessibility for diverse audiences visiting this monument group.
about the logo
When I visited the site in 2023, I was struck by the vast expanse of stone structures and how they all felt like parts of the same ancient city, unified by their multiple tiers and distinctive red sandstone.
The logo draws inspiration from the classic tiered temple architecture that's characteristic of Dravidian design throughout the site.
For the typeface, I chose a font by Zuzana Licko that echoes the structural qualities of the ruins themselves. I also developed a Kannada logotype based on the English wordmark to complete the bilingual identity.
colors in the system
The color system draws from the landscape itself—brown sandstone monuments set against lush greenery.
I used this natural palette strategically to reinforce the bilingual identity, reserving brown tones for English elements and green for Kannada, creating a visual distinction that feels organic to the site.
extending the system
The logo's shape became the foundation for the entire design system. I extended that form throughout the identity by using rounded corners and stacked typography, which paired with the brand colors created a really strong visual identifier. Stacking the shapes and using the color palette as gradients within those stacks helped tie everything together cohesively. This system carries through all the collaterals—posters, brochures, the website, and other digital materials—creating a unified brand experience.
Images sourced from Adobe Stock.