After Dark: Tattoo Café
After Dark is a speculative brand exploring ritual, identity, and community through ink, coffee, and nightlife. A blend of self-expression and sensory delight, this haven for tattoo enthusiasts, art lovers, and coffee aficionados is more than just your average café. It is a creative community hub where local artistry meets in an immersive and vibrant atmosphere, making it the perfect place for inspiration.
Whether you are looking to get tatted or get caffeinated while answering a few emails, After Dark embraces diversity, hosting events, exhibitions, and fostering a judgment-free zone where creativity has no limits. Some might say it is better than the outside world. Any day, any hour, you are invited to join this unique experience, where there is always something happening that celebrates passion, creativity, and community.
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Menu system
One of the main aspects we were interested in exploring within this brand and lifestyle-driven visual experience was the menu system. This included menus for drinks, local delicacies, and a more experimental tasting menu. As first-time rookies who so badly want to get inked but are equally terrified of needles, this project felt the need to generate a sense of ease for others like us.
A pain chart menu was designed to give people, both new and experienced, an idea of where on the body it would be least to most painful to get a tattoo. After conducting research and a series of interviews, common pain points were identified and translated into a clear, accessible system.
It follows a simple least-to-most-painful categorisation. Because pain thresholds vary from person to person, the design incorporates a scale-based indicator to provide an estimated range. This approach allows for a more inclusive reading of the data and gives customers a better sense of what to expect when deciding where to place their first or next tattoo.
After-Care kits
Continuing with the theme of rookies, but also speaking to returning clients of the After Dark studio, one of the most common questions our tattoo artists receive is how to get a tattoo to heal so beautifully. This project created space to develop an aftercare kit consisting of specialised cleansers, SPF lotion, and combination options for those who want both. Packaging was designed for these signature formulas, positioning them as part of the brand’s extended lifestyle.
The packaging contains the care instructions themselves, delivered in a humorous and tasteful manner to lift the mood while remaining informative. The intention was for these products to become a staple in any tattooed person’s routine and lifestyle.
We want to take care of our skin in style, because why not. Some of our members even say their tattoos heal twice as fast compared to using generic SPF lotions and body washes. These formulas are designed specifically for freshly tattooed skin and remain accessible without costing a fortune.
