Behind Designing the World’s First Not-for-Profit Hospitality Job Portal
In the ever-evolving landscape of hospitality, where culinary excellence meets innovation, Rashmi Uday Singh stands as a multifaceted personality—a renowned culinary maestro, celebrated author, columnist, hospitality connoisseur, and TV anchor. Over the course of her career in the hospitality industry, she had garnered a lot of love and respect through her work.
It was within this dynamic context that she envisioned a noble and innovative idea—to establish a free-to-use job portal that exclusively connects job and internship seekers with opportunities in the expansive global hospitality industry. The idea was born when she discovered a gap in the industry- the lack of an easy, reliable and user-friendly platform exclusively connecting the diverse people and roles within the global hospitality industry.
This vision marked the genesis of Hospitality Hope, a platform with a mission to not only fill job vacancies but also to foster a sense of community and support within the diverse realm of hospitality. The vision for the platform was driven by Rashmi’s love and gratitude to the industry and its people, and to launch it, she drew from her own personal savings and connections.
Approaching VGC, Rashmi’s goal was clear—she wanted to create a portal that broke away from the conventional, corporate feel of existing job portals and instead, exuded warmth, relatability, and an easy engagement factor.
The challenge then for us at VGC, was significant: how to develop a brand and job portal that was distinctive, approachable, and reflective of Rashmi’s dynamic persona?
As VGC, known for being a creative agency in Mumbai with innovative design solutions, we embarked on a journey to translate this vision into a visual and functional reality.
The first step in this creative process was a deep dive into understanding Rashmi’s expectations. In addition to the portal not looking like a typical corporate job portal, the design, given the vast and diverse nature of the hospitality sector, had to be inclusive, catering to the varied branches and different kinds of people within the industry.
The resultant brand identity was a thoughtful amalgamation of symbols representing the core values of Hospitality Hope. The first symbol is a Chef’s Hat, an emblematic nod to the hospitality sector it served. The second symbol was a Heart, seamlessly integrated, symbolizing the not-for-profit nature of the initiative and the genuine passion behind it and finally, a Globe, at the centre of it all to signify the initiative’s global reach and focus. This unique combination not only encapsulated the essence of Rashmi’s vision but also created a visual language that resonated with the broader hospitality community.
To further enhance the brand, VGC introduced a playful and fun design language- Doodles. These doodle-based illustrations added dimensions of inclusivity, warmth and service to the brand, making it not only professional but also approachable to job and internship seekers across the globe. This style aimed to make the brand appealing to the various segments within the hospitality sector, showcasing the versatility and adaptability of Hospitality Hope.
For instance,
Elements of the logo taken to create variations for different kinds of careers within the hospitality industry. The one above signified Front-desk staff
Signifying a Chef’s hat off in appreciation
Signifying a waiting staff reading out a menu
In addition to representing the different professions in the industry, the doodles signifying the different kinds of phrases, tools, and more used in the industry were used to create warmth and playfulness across all the touchpoints like landing page and social media posts.
While we were initially tasked with the creation of a temporary landing page, VGC’s branding was so well-received that it evolved into the development of Version 1 of the free-to-use job portal. The portal, hosted at hospitalityhope.com, serves as more than a platform for job listings. It is an introduction to Rashmi Uday Singh, the visionary behind Hospitality Hope, offering insights into her mission and also included heartfelt testimonials from industry stalwarts, the likes of Chef Massimo Bottura, Priya Paul of the Paul Hotel showcasing their support for the initiative and talking about their great expectations for its positive impacts across the globe.
With the portal live and thriving, Rashmi now possesses the key brand tools to propel her worldwide initiative. Hospitality Hope is not just a job portal; it’s a testament to the power of passion, innovation, and a commitment to fostering a sense of community in the global hospitality industry.
For those curious about this transformative journey or anyone with a similar vision, we invite you to reach out to us, and let the talented team at the top branding agency in Mumbai help bring your business dreams to life. The success of Hospitality Hope stands as a testament to the impactful fusion of visionary ideas and creative design, showcasing how a well-crafted brand identity can elevate a noble initiative to new heights.