With a new trademark-inspired ‘S’ symbol and bold visual identity, Sessions’ new identity transforms the food platform from a behind-the-scenes enabler into a visible force in food innovation.
Sessions is on a mission to bring original food to every corner of the UK, but as a platform that creates and supports food brands, its work has largely remained behind the scenes.
That has all changed since their recent identity update, led by London-based design studio OMSE. The redesign positions the platform as a visible leader in the food industry, reinforcing its credibility while allowing the brands it supports to shine.
According to OMSE founder James Kape, the redesign was about striking a balance. “Our job was to make the brand more visible, and we did this in two ways,” he explains. “First, we linked Sessions to the brands they created by referencing trademarks. Second, we used photography to communicate the brand’s core offering by capturing delicious food in unexpected scenarios.”
At the heart of the new identity is a distinctive ‘S’ symbol – an element designed to be present yet unobtrusive. “We needed an idea that was really simple to help build up the presence and credibility of the Sessions brand,” says Kape.
The solution was inspired by trademarks: subtle but authoritative marks that lend legitimacy to products without overshadowing them. “Eventually, the ‘S’ mark would bring credibility for the new brands and partners that Sessions creates and works with,” he adds.
Establishing Sessions as a standalone brand required a bold approach. Until now, its identity had mostly relied on food photography and assets from the brands it had supported or created. OMSE’s new visual strategy moved away from this approach, reinforcing Sessions’ own voice with striking typography, vibrant colours, and bold messaging. Snappy straplines like “Who’s hungry?” and “Originality delivered to wherever you are” capture the brand’s dynamic energy.
However, photography remains a crucial tool in Sessions’ identity, albeit with a fresh perspective. “The goal was to create images that made you do a double take, where something feels slightly off, almost like a glimpse into the future of food,” says Kape.
OMSE collaborated with German photographer Philotheus Nisch to achieve this vision, embracing his signature mix of humour and surrealism. “Since he was based in Germany, we collaborated remotely, which worked well as he had his own studio and was able to share updates throughout the day,” Kape reveals.
A key aspect of Sessions’ ecosystem is Shelter Hall, a food hall that serves as a launchpad for emerging brands before they expand to new locations. OMSE aligned Shelter Hall’s branding with Sessions while giving it a distinct identity.
“We wanted the brand’s language to feel like a cousin of the master brand, so we retained the same visual design elements while updating the mark to be clearly identifiable as a Sessions sub-brand,” Kape explains. Design details subtly nod to traditional market halls, incorporating stripe and ticker tape motifs across social media and digital communications.
With Sessions rapidly expanding—now working with over 300 venues and partnering with industry giants like Netflix—the platform needed a polished, cohesive brand identity and consistency across messaging. The rebrand addressed these challenges, strengthening Sessions’ credibility and refining their communications. This, in turn, has helped attract high-profile partnerships and establish Sessions as a leader in food innovation.
The new branding also extends seamlessly into Sessions’ website, which serves as a hub for future partners and collaborators. “The goal of the website was to serve as a hub for future partners and collaborators, to excite them about Sessions’ mission, and to showcase the broader network of brands they support,” Kape explains. Rather than focusing on flashy features, OMSE prioritised clarity, ensuring the digital experience reflected Sessions’ bold and direct brand strategy.
The Sessions brand continues to evolve in alignment with its mission of food innovation, and in the future, it plans to create more of its own brands, like Sobe Burger, the first original Sessions concept. “They’ll continue to activate the strategy in exciting and innovative ways,” says Kape. “What does it mean to be original in this space? That’s the question that will drive them forward.”
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