A Recipe for Recognition: Mister Pio Wins 2025 RGD Branding Award

4 mins
Close-up of the red RGD Branding Award trophy displayed on a wooden shelf. The engraved plaque reads '2025 Integrated Award Winner, Brand Identity – MISTER PIO, Trew Knowledge.' In the background, a framed w3 Awards certificate is partially visible next to a neon sign and trailing plant.

A great brand identity does more than look good. It tells a story, sets a tone, and creates a lasting connection. That was our goal with Mister Pio: a warm, expressive system rooted in Peruvian tradition, designed to resonate with every guest who walks through the door. We’re excited to share that this work has been recognized by the 2025 RGD Branding Awards, winning in the Brand Identity — New Brand category. This award, presented by the Association of Registered Graphic Designers (RGD), celebrates the best in branding and identity design worldwide, making this a truly exciting recognition for our team.

A Global Stage for Branding Excellence

RGD’s Branding Awards were launched in 2023 to spotlight the very best in branding and design from around the world. RGD (the Association of Registered Graphic Designers) is Canada’s largest professional design association, and it assembled an international jury of acclaimed industry leaders to evaluate submissions. In the inaugural year alone, the competition received over 650 submissions globally, with only 60 projects ultimately selected for recognition. Earning an award in 2025 means Mister Pio stood out among a truly global field of entries. We are honoured that our work impressed such a distinguished panel and are proud to be counted among the winners on this prestigious platform.

Bringing Mister Pio to Life

The visual identity for Mister Pio was designed to balance tradition with joy. As a new Peruvian rotisserie chicken restaurant in Phoenix, Arizona, celebrated for its charcoal-roasted chicken and authentic flavours, the brand needed to feel modern while staying true to its cultural roots. Our team immersed itself in Peru’s rich culinary traditions, ultimately finding inspiration in a child’s simple drawing of a chicken. That spark became the foundation for a playful logo: a whimsical, hand-drawn emblem paired with a lively wordmark, capturing the warmth and free-spirited character at the heart of Mister Pio.

From there, we developed a comprehensive identity system that extended across every touchpoint, encompassing logos, stationery, packaging, signage, and merchandise. Each piece was crafted to reflect the restaurant’s genuine and joyful spirit, ensuring consistency wherever the brand appears. The identity came to life online as well, with a website designed to mirror the same vibrancy and warmth. Loose layouts, expressive visuals, and personal touches give the digital experience the same soulful character found in the restaurant itself. Together, these elements create a brand presence that feels authentic, engaging, and unmistakably Mister Pio.

Being Showcased at DesignThinkers

As a 2025 RGD Branding Award winner, Mister Pio was selected for the winners’ exhibition at DesignThinkers 2025, now wrapping up its 26th year as Canada’s premier gathering for design professionals. Having Mister Pio showcased alongside some of the best work in the industry adds another layer of meaning to this award, placing our project within an international conversation about design excellence and cultural storytelling.

Recognition That Fuels What’s Next

Recognition from RGD is a milestone we’re proud to celebrate. It shines a light on the creativity and collaboration that brought Mister Pio’s brand to life, affirming the quality of work that drives us forward.

This achievement was made possible by the talent and vision of our team, led by Design Director Philipp Boltz, with development by Julian Meanchoff. We’re equally grateful to the team at Mister Pio, whose trust and passion for sharing the rich flavours and traditions of Peru inspired every detail. Their openness to creative exploration made it possible to craft a brand that feels both authentic and full of character.

At Trew Knowledge, we bring that same dedication to every project, whether it’s shaping a new brand identity, developing custom digital solutions, or building enterprise platforms that scale. If you’re ready to transform your vision into something remarkable, connect with us and let’s make it happen together.