Albert’s Real Jamaican Food

Environmental Mural and Window Graphics

Spring-Fall 2023

Client: Albert's Real Jamaican Foods
Collaboration: Nura Planning
Type of Work: Environmental Graphic Design (Interior & Exterior)
Scope: 33’ x 9’ interior mural & various window pane graphics

Albert’s Real Jamaican Foods has been a well-loved, celebrated neighbourhood gem for over 40 years. When Nura Planning was hired to refresh the space, the primary challenge was ensuring the large existing customer base still felt the place was true to its roots, while attracting new customers and embracing the vibrant, contemporary Jamaican culture.

Design Approach
I partnered with Nura Planning to set the mood of the new interior. I came up with creative directions on how to approach the space and ground it in a concept. Nura Planning and the client chose the creative direction focussed on embracing the raw beauty of Jamaica—tropical forests, lush palm trees, coconuts, and serene sunsets. I suggested to transition from deep jungle greenery to a bright beach opening, executed with a graphic style that features strong contrast, bold colours, and high emotional impact. The intention was for the boldness of the restaurant’s flavours to be reflected by the colours, instantly transporting people back to the haven of visiting the island.

The Interior Mural: A Visual Journey

My design adorned the focal point wall (33’ x 9’) behind the checkout and along the kitchen counter. This area commands the most attention as patrons stand in line and wait to order.
The resulting environmental graphic creates a visual progression:
- The Wild Jungle: Hanging lobster claw plants and vibrant Bird of Paradise plants lead the way, establishing a sense of deep, tropical foliage.
- The Beach Scene: The scene advances from the wild jungle toward a tranquil beach setting.

The style is simple, graphic, with strong contrast and bold, bright colours, intentionally focusing on evoking immediate emotion and complementing the existing lively atmosphere of the space. Importantly, the final design functions not as a stand-alone showpiece, but as a supportive, thematic backdrop. This approach establishes a cohesive visual environment, allowing the owner's cherished keepsakes, historic photos, and memorabilia—a vibrant and eclectic collection—to feel naturally anchored and unified within the space.

An Elegant Solution: Window Graphics
The space faces a parking lot, which wasn't the ideal view for patrons sitting at the tables. My team and I saw an opportunity to complete the tropical immersion and solve this design challenge. I worked with Nura Planning to convince the owner and general contractor to add exterior graphics to the scope, emphasizing the need to enhance the experience as people sat down.

Due to a strict budget, I executed the approved design using translucent window graphic art sparingly. By placing key elements like large banana leaves and Birds of Paradise to frame the windows, I delivered an elegant and cost-effective way to bring a bit of the jungle to Toronto’s streets without fully covering the glass:
- inside: the graphics soften the urban view, keeping the focus on the tropical interior while still allowing natural light in.
- outside: as the space lights up at night, the graphics become more prominent, acting as a striking, yet budget-conscious, invitation to the vibrant space within.

Honoring a Legacy
Albert Wiggan is such a celebrated neighbourhood business owner that the City of Toronto named a lane after him in the St. Clair West area: the Albert Wiggan Lane. As a nod to his contribution and legacy, Mr. Wiggan suggested that the street sign be incorporated directly into the window design.

The Result
The final result is an immersive, bold mural and graphic system that successfully blends into and enhances the energetic atmosphere of the restaurant. By creating a lush, tropical foundation, the design allows the space’s historic personality (defined by the owner’s memorabilia) to feel perfectly at home, successfully enhancing the dining experience while celebrating the deep-rooted legacy of Albert's Real Jamaican Foods.

Concept: Moodboard Inspiration

Final Art and Mock-ups