Coffee As A Shared Language
In diverse urban neighborhoods, coffee shops often reinforce cultural divides rather than bridge them. Brooklyn Lab Coffee reimagines this through intuitive, inclusive design that speaks across language barriers.
Oct - Nov 2025 | Design Concept
Ye Chen
Yanbin Song
Visual Design
Design System
Prototyping
Motion Design
Design & Content Strategy
In diverse urban neighborhoods, coffee shops often reinforce cultural divides rather than bridge them. Brooklyn Lab Coffee reimagines this through intuitive, inclusive design that speaks across language barriers. Especially in New York City, there are:
40% of the population are non US-born citizens.
25% have gained naturalized citizenship.
15% of residents are non-citizens.
200+ languages are spoken each day.
49% of Brooklynites speak a language other than English at home.
Complex terminology and intimidating café culture can feel exclusive to non-English speakers.
Can coffee be a s hared language for community?
As a coffee brand serving one of the world's most diverse cities, how might Brooklyn Lab make every interaction accessible and every purchase an act of community building?
Brooklyn Lab doesn't just serve coffee—it cultivates belonging.
At every touchpoint—digital and physical—coffee becomes the catalyst, breaking down barriers, fostering creativity, and building community that transcends language and background.
Our packaging design prioritizes accessibility and creativity: minimal, multilingual elements with braille reduce cognitive load.
Simple menus. Confident choices.
By transforming service into a universal sensory journey and creating experiences that unite through coffee, we're establishing a third space in Brooklyn where cultural differences become opportunities for connection, and every customer feels the comfort of belonging, regardless of the language they speak.
Personalized for every taste. Intuitive design where icons, imagery, and thoughtful details speak louder than words.
Simple questions about brewing method and drink style help us recommend coffee beans that match perfectly to each user's preferences.
Brewing made simple.
Step-by-step, personalized guidance that empowers any coffee lover to brew with confidence.
Grow community, one seed at a time.
Every purchase plants a seed—literally—with surprise varieties tucked into each order.
From coffee to art sharing.
Transforming each bag into an invitation to draw, create, express, and share.