In the Works: Campanella Crémerie
More than ten years ago, Mr. Ali-Cane Hung arrived in Tulum with a vision that would eventually reshape the city’s café and gelato culture. His idea was bold but simple: create a place that combined the craft of Italian gelato and European pastry traditions with the spirit and rhythm of Tulum — not as a tourist gimmick, but as something real, authentic, and lasting.
Ali wasn’t improvising. He had lived in Italy, where he studied, practiced, and mastered the art of gelato at its source. He worked across North America, bringing his skills into different contexts, refining techniques, and understanding how to adapt authentic traditions to new environments. By the time he set foot in Tulum, he carried with him years of experience, knowledge, and a deep passion for the craft.
At the very beginning of this story, I collaborated with Ali to help him frame the idea visually. Together we shaped the concept and first identity of Campanella, and I designed the original logo that gave the project its first face. That was my role at the start: translate Ali’s vision into something visual, simple, and memorable.
From there, Ali took over. For more than a decade, he has built Campanella with relentless dedication, entrepreneurship, and vision. He’s not only a gelato master — he’s a cultural entrepreneur. Every year, Ali invests heavily in cultural events in Tulum, supporting the authentic traditions of Mexico and creating experiences that go far beyond gelato or coffee. He sees Campanella not only as a business, but as a platform to give back — to nurture the culture of Tulum, to celebrate its spirit, and to elevate the standards of hospitality in the city.
The results are clear. Campanella has become a ritual for locals and travelers alike. It is not just a café; it is a cultural landmark. With more than 500 five-star reviews, a flawless reputation, and an Instagram account that captures the daily life, energy, and beauty of the place, Campanella already has a digital presence that many brands would envy. No ads, no gimmicks — just pure word of mouth, authentic culture, and a community that keeps coming back.
And yet, one element has lagged behind: the website. Compared to the richness of the real-world experience and the quality of Campanella’s social presence, the current website doesn’t do justice to the brand. It doesn’t reflect the story, the culture, or the vision.
That’s where I come back in. Having been there at the beginning, I understand the DNA of Campanella: the Italian roots, the European pastry influence, the authentic Mexican culture, the entrepreneurial drive, and the community-first spirit. My role now is to design a new bilingual, mobile-first website that connects all of this into one clear, modern, and timeless digital identity.
This isn’t about creating something flashy. It’s about aligning the website with everything Campanella already is: professional, cultural, warm, and visionary. A website that feels like stepping into Campanella itself — where design meets authenticity, and where Tulum meets Italy.
This article is just the beginning. In the future, I’ll expand this into a full case study, showing how we translated more than ten years of culture, entrepreneurship, and craft into a digital presence that matches the reputation Ali and his team have earned.