Founder · Creative Director
There’s something quite open and approachable in the shapes, which felt right for the dog side of the brand.
Coconat brings that confidence and elevation without being cold or overly fashion-led.
It helps the team talk about the palette in a way that’s intuitive, and it reinforces the idea that everything in the brand, even the smallest details, ties back to the core subject.
It’s not everyday that you get to do a project on a luxury dog hotel.
Dogs are instinctive and expressive, so we tried to reflect that in the line work, keeping things slightly imperfect, a bit more textured and focused on movement.
We liked the idea that one feels like the owner’s voice and the other feels like the dog’s.
This was a dream project for our studio. We were able to shape every layer – from strategy and interiors to brand and digital – which is where we do our best work.
What's surprised me most is just how creatively rich a smaller city like Belfast can be.
It's a place to tell stories, and that's exactly what I wanted to do: create bold, immersive brand experiences.
For us, everything starts with strategy. We're not chasing fleeting trends; we're crafting something that's built to last.
Crown Creative developed a sophisticated yet playful brand identity for Barkhouse, a membership-based dog hotel and daycare in New York. The design balances editorial structure with hand-drawn warmth, using dual typefaces and custom illustrations to speak to both dogs and their owners. A breed-inspired color palette and witty tone of voice reinforce the brand’s upscale yet approachable character.
Crown Creative has designed a charming brand identity for Barkhouse, a luxury dog hotel in New York City. The Belfast-based studio drew inspiration from The New Yorker’s illustration style, combining playful line drawings with a dual-typeface system to represent both dogs and their owners. The result is a warm, characterful identity that balances refinement with personality.
Crown Creative developed the full brand and interior identity for Birch Cabins, a luxury retreat in Northern Ireland’s Florida Manor Estate. The project integrates strategy, naming, visual identity, interiors, and digital design to evoke the quiet atmosphere of the Irish landscape. The result is a cohesive expression of modern Irish luxury rooted in heritage and craftsmanship.
The article explores how rising rents and the rise of remote work are prompting UK creatives to leave major cities like London and Manchester for smaller towns. It highlights designers and creative directors who have relocated, finding renewed inspiration, community, and opportunity in regional areas. The piece frames this movement as a cultural shift revitalising towns such as Stockport, Hastings, and Nantwich.
Creative Boom profiles Crown Creative, a Belfast-born, New York-based studio known for its storytelling-driven hospitality branding. Founder Ryan Crown and his team discuss their evolution, philosophy, and major projects including The Dead Rabbit, Le Méridien, and Birch Cabins. The article highlights their strategy-first approach, global reach, and commitment to experience-led design.
The Brand Identity interviews Crown Creative’s Creative Director Ryan Crown about the studio’s multidisciplinary approach to hospitality design. Based in Belfast, London, and New York, the studio combines strategy, branding, and interiors for clients like The Dead Rabbit, Hilton, and St. Regis. Crown discusses the importance of guest experience, collaboration, and storytelling in creating immersive hospitality brands.