Take Out Packaging

Cosmic Taco

About the Project

Cosmic Taco is a real Austin-based taco spot known for its out-of-this-world Tex-Mex flavors. I created a rebranding concept that celebrates its funky name with a bold, psychedelic twist—blending 60s cosmic aesthetics, Mexican vibrancy, and Austin's laid-back taco culture into one fun, groovy identity.

Project Deliverables

  • Logo
  • Coffee Cups
  • Water Cups
  • Take out plates
  • Website
  • Store Sign
  • Photography
Cosmic Taco Hero

The Challenge

  • The original logo was too detailed, making it hard to scale down for small screens or packaging.
  • When I was asked to design a sticker for cups, it didn’t feel like it matched the logo or the website.
  • There was no clear, unified visual identity connecting all parts of the brand.
  • This rebrand concept aims to fix that disconnect by creating a bold and cohesive look that works across all platforms.
Cosmic Taco Cup Cosmic Taco Cup

Research & Discovery

To reimagine the brand, I immersed myself in:

  • The psychedelic art of the 1960s, studying posters, type, and color schemes from the era.
  • Mexican color palettes, known for their saturated hues and festive energy.
  • The "cosmic" element of the brand's name—stars, planets, and space themes that evoke a sense of adventure and curiosity.
Color Palette

Ideation

The naming of Cosmic Taco opened the door to endless playful possibilities. I wanted the logo to reflect the brand's quirky energy and outer space theme while staying grounded in its roots as a taco joint.

Concept 1: Groovy Type with a Star "i": This version used a psychedelic 60s-inspired font, with bubbly, wavy letterforms full of movement. I replaced the dot in the "i" with a star to emphasize the cosmic vibe.

Concept 2: Planetary "o"s: In this iteration, both "o"s in "Cosmic" and "Taco" were replaced with Saturn-style planet icons—creating instant space recognition and making the logo feel like it's orbiting around flavor.

Concept 3: Words Inside a Taco Shell: For this version, I experimented with a taco-shaped container where the words "Cosmic Taco" were wrapped snugly inside a stylized taco shell illustration.

Initial Sketches

Digital Sketches

After exploring multiple directions in the ideation phase, I decided to further develop two of my favorite concepts:

  • The taco shell logo: where the name Cosmic Taco is nestled inside a stylized taco shape.
  • The planetary "o"s concept: where the "o"s in Cosmic and Taco are transformed into orbiting planets.

I brought these sketches into the digital space to experiment with color palettes, typography, and layout. I tested different typefaces—ranging from retro and groovy to bold and modern—to see how they affected the tone and personality of the logo.

Digital Sketches

Final Version

The final logo captures the playful, out-of-this-world vibe of Cosmic Taco while grounding it in a bold, approachable style. I chose the concept where the name Cosmic Taco is framed inside a stylized taco shell—a shape that's instantly recognizable and full of personality.

Key Elements

  • Shooting Star Detail: A shooting star placed at the opening of the taco shell adds movement and ties directly to the word Cosmic.
  • Star Accents: Scattered star icons around the wordmark reinforce the space theme without overwhelming the design.
Final Logo

Color Palette

  • #BA1A58 – A bold magenta inspired by vibrant Mexican pinks. It brings passion and energy to the brand.
  • #C3F4EF – A light electric mint that adds a cool, modern contrast with a cosmic vibe.
  • #E58224 – A warm peach-orange that evokes spicy flavors and the heat of Mexican cuisine.

Together, these colors reflect the heart of Cosmic Taco: bold, vibrant, and unapologetically fun. The mix captures both the flavor-packed experience of Mexican street food and the whimsical, spacey essence behind the name.

Typeface

I selected a bold, chunky typeface that feels grounded, confident, and a little groovy.

Reflection

This project was a reminder of how much I love building brands with big personality. Reimagining Cosmic Taco allowed me to fully explore how design can be both strategic and playful—how something as simple as a taco can tell a larger story about culture, fun, and creativity.

This project strengthened my skills as a visual designer and storyteller. It was a chance to not just create a logo, but to bring a full cosmic universe to life—one taco at a time.

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