THE CHALLENGE

In the heart of downtown Livingston, Montana, a historic mercantile building was about to take on new life.
The founders Joshua Adams, Jeffrey Galli, and Anthony Sferra envisioned Campione Roman Kitchen as more than a restaurant. They wanted it to become a gathering place; a neighborhood hearth built on the mantra “In the Service of Others.”

The challenge was to create a brand that reflected their deep love for food, history, and community. It had to feel distinctly Roman yet unmistakably Montanan, rooted in craft, hospitality, and a quiet sense of reverence for place. Campione needed to feel as if it had always been there.

Discovery

I began by looking back not just to Rome, but to Livingston itself. The building’s history as a mercantile store revealed intricate details: laurel and torch motifs in the metal ceiling, symbols of victory, service, and light. Those motifs became a foundation. From there, I connected the dots between Roman mythology and Montana’s frontier spirit, both stories of endurance, pride, and shared table. The she-wolf (La Lupa) of Rome, the symbol of nurturing and resilience, became a perfect emblem for a restaurant built on care and generosity. The more I unearthed, the clearer the story became: Campione wasn’t just opening a restaurant; it was reviving a piece of local history with Roman soul and Montana heart.

Craft

The design system was born from this blend of mythology, craft, and place.

• Identity & Symbol:
  I designed a custom wordmark that felt timeless and carved, inspired by Roman inscriptions & Mercantile era Typography. The she-wolf illustration became the hero, drawn with strength and warmth, symbolizing protection and community. Surrounding laurels and torches from the original mercantile carvings tied the identity back to the building itself, creating a beautiful sense of continuity.

• Craft & Collaboration:
  To bring the brand to life in physical form, we partnered with Dan Madsen, a sign painter, ensuring every exterior and interior mark carried the imperfections and soul of true craftsmanship. Inside, the brand ethos, In the Service of Others, was immortalized in mosaic tile at the entrance, a daily reminder of purpose for everyone who walks in.

• Atmosphere & Experience:
  Every design decision, from the color palette to the type hierarchy, was crafted to feel warm, human, and earned. Like a story that’s been told a hundred times, but still feels new.

OUTCOME

Since opening, Campione has quickly become a cornerstone of the Livingston community, a modern Roman kitchen built on service, soul, and shared experience. The restaurant has been nominated for the James Beard Awards for four consecutive years, recognized not only for its exceptional food but also for the sense of belonging it creates.

Campione isn’t just a restaurant brand, it’s a living emblem of devotion: to craft, to community, and to the belief that food is the purest expression of care.

CREDITS

Industry: Hospitality, Food
Client: Campione Roman Kitchen
Agency: Robert Medkeff
My Role: Creative Direction & Design
Sign Painter: Dan Madson
Photographer: Rio Chantel
Markets: Livingston, Montana
Scope: Naming, Brand Strategy, Brand World Creation, Interior Design, Illustration, Packaging, Brand Guardianship