Barkhouse NYC

Art Direction | Branding | Illustration | Website

Barkhouse is a luxury dog hotel and daycare located in the heart of Manhattan. Designed for a new generation of dog owners who have high standards for their pets.

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Our goal was to create a brand identity that captured the warmth and care at the heart of Barkhouse, while positioning it as a refined, design-led destination for modern pet parents. Balancing cues of luxury hospitality with Barkhouse’s playful character was central to the brief. The identity needed to feel premium enough to sit comfortably alongside New York’s lifestyle brands, while retaining the joy, energy and humour that comes with owning a dog. Above all, it had to reflect Barkhouse’s guiding philosophy: Dog Obsessed, Just Like You.
 

DOG OBSESSED, JUST LIKE YOU

The brand strapline captures Barkhouse’s core philosophy in a simple and confident statement. It highlights a shared mindset that exists between the brand and its customers, positioning Barkhouse not just as a service provider, but as part of a community of devoted dog owners.

Playful phrases such as “No Ruff Days”, “Bone Appétit”, and “Welcome to the Pack” add character, punctuating the brand with moments of humour while maintaining an overall sense of luxury.

A WORLD BUILT BY AND FOR DOGS

The brand’s visual system draws inspiration from the dogs themselves, with a colour palette informed by the tones of different breeds, combining rich browns, creams and muted greys with energetic accents for added personality.

ILLUSTRATION

llustration and art direction complete the world of Barkhouse. Textured line style drawings reminiscent of expressive New Yorker cartoons were a favourite of both the client and our team, along with photography inspired by high-end fashion portraiture that placed the dogs centre stage.

DUAL VOICE IDENTITY

At the centre of the identity sits the Barkhouse wordmark, built from two complementary typefaces that represent both sides of the brand. Conforto, a bold, friendly sans serif evokes the loud, joyful bark of a dog, while elegant serif Coconot reflects the elevated, boutique experience that owners will recognise.

Together they create a balanced visual voice that works for pets and their owners, reinforcing Barkhouse as both a playful space for dogs and a trusted, design-conscious service for modern city professionals.

Together these elements create a brand that feels as considered and welcoming as the experience itself. In doing so, Barkhouse becomes more than a daycare or hotel, serving instead as a modern home away from home for dogs, and a trusted partner for their owners.