At the end of 2023, I redesigned the signage for the dumpling restaurant "饺子" (Ravioli Orientali), located in the heart of Genoa’s historic district. After a lengthy process involving communication with suppliers, production, and approval from local authorities, the restaurant finally unveiled its new signage.

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This project was conceived to harmonize with the understated elegance of the restaurant’s interior design and the unique atmosphere of Genoa’s historic center. However, strict local regulations aimed at preserving the district’s aesthetic required a minimalist approach, restricting creative freedom while ensuring the design remained recognizable.

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The name of the restaurant, "饺子" (translated as “ravioli” in Italian), serves as an intriguing cultural bridge: Chinese dumplings and Italian ravioli share the same name in Italian, uniting two seemingly distant culinary traditions under a single, familiar concept. This simple yet profound connection invites customers to embrace the dual cultural identity of the dish.

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In the final design, the signage adopts an abstract aesthetic that subtly incorporates the Chinese name into the Italian text, blending seamlessly with the historic surroundings. The choice of a clean and refined visual language reflects the restaurant’s identity: honest, genuine, and rooted in tradition.

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"饺子" thus becomes a sincere cultural symbol, a meeting point between the Chinese community and the urban fabric of Genoa, subtly contributing to the city’s cultural dialogue.