Anna Polonsky
Founder · Creative Director
In their own words
The team asked for a visual identity that could capture the cultural collision of Peru, Japan and New York, anchored in great food, but driven by mood.
The client felt genuinely seen. They appreciated that the branding breaks away from predictable references – neither a folkloric Peruvian or Japanese aesthetic, nor what one might expect from a restaurant opening in a major New York City development.
Our agency was one of the first to focus 100% on hospitality and food.
I felt compelled to focus on projects where food was used as a catalyst for positive change.
Our dedication to authenticity has proven instrumental in attracting a new clientele.
Articles & interviews
- Polonsky & Friends Fuses Peru, Japan, NYC Cultures in Brand Identity
Polonsky & Friends created the brand identity for Papa San, a Nikkei restaurant in New York’s Hudson Yards, blending cultural influences from Peru, Japan, and NYC. The design draws inspiration from 1960s cultural rebellion, using bold typography, layered graphics, and hybrid motifs to express the restaurant’s playful and unorthodox spirit. The project’s distinctive visual language earned early media attention for its inventive cultural fusion.
- Proof is in the pudding: Polonsky & Friends prove there’s still plenty of space for handmade beauty
The Brand Identity interviews Anna Polonsky, founder of Brooklyn-based studio Polonsky & Friends, about her journey from The MP Shift to building a consultancy dedicated to food and hospitality brands. The conversation explores the studio’s analogue, tactile approach to design, its focus on authenticity, and the enduring beauty of handmade craft in a digital era. Polonsky reflects on her inspirations, process, and the studio’s commitment to storytelling through print and materiality.