Whitt’s Barbecue
A fifty-year-old Alabama barbecue institution needed a visual refresh without losing what made it recognizable.
Having grown up eating Whitt’s—and spending a summer working there in college—Villager came to the project with a particular affection for the brand. Fifteen years later, the work still holds up.
A fifty-year-old Alabama barbecue institution needed a visual refresh without losing what made it recognizable.
Having grown up eating Whitt’s—and spending a summer working there in college—Villager came to the project with a particular affection for the brand. Fifteen years later, the work still holds up.
Decatur, Ala.
2007- Present
Services
Bottle labels
Box design
Out of home
Merchandise
Bottle labels
Box design
Out of home
Merchandise
Inspiration
The visual language draws from the tradition of American show printing, with a particular nod to Nashville’s legendary Hatch Show Print.
The bold typography, limited palette, and unapologetically handmade character felt native to Whitt’s—and to the place it comes from.
The bold typography, limited palette, and unapologetically handmade character felt native to Whitt’s—and to the place it comes from.
Execution Notes
To keep the work true to the letterpress tradition, every letter was hand-set and printed with the imperfections intact.
The system extends across sauce labels, boxes, signage, posters, gift cards, and other touchpoints throughout the business.
Fifteen years on, the original work continues to live in the world—and wear it well.
Photography and styling by Abraham Rowe.
Packaging & Collateral
The system extends across sauce labels, boxes, signage, posters, gift cards, and other touchpoints throughout the business.
Fifteen years on, the original work continues to live in the world—and wear it well.
Photography and styling by Abraham Rowe.
☝🏻 Love these people with all my ❤️
Mark Whitt, President
In all the almost 60 years that we’ve been in business, the best thing I ever did was to call Micah! From our now famous Lunch Box design to our gift cards to our poster designs, just to name a few, Micah gave our business a long term shot in the arm. We call him “The Design Genius”. I really think he is also a “BBQ Genius “
▞▞▞