Beer barm biscuits? The Collaborators create new Barmies brand

The Collaborators have created a new Brand Identity for Barmies, fermented savoury biscuits made using leftover beer barm from the brewing process. A unique product to the category, Barmies had to clearly communicate the nature of the product whilst also bringing flavour appeal. Drawing on the heritage of baker and brewer working side by side in rural communities, a folk-inspired look was established. With Baker and Brewer entwined, holding tools to represent their craft, The Collaborators designed the logo to bring meaning and tradition to a new unknown product. A warm and friendly palette was developed in a stand-out colour to reflect both the hue of the beer itself and the quirky personality of the brand. Typography was uniquely crafted to add a quirky touch and mimic the curly shape of the snacks themselves. Barmies’ partnerships with well-known beer names such as Moonshine Pale Ale was also featured in the design, to leverage the brand’s profile and add more flavour appeal to the front of the pack.

Context
The Russian coffee market is rapidly growing and regarded as an attractive field for business development. Every year, number and variety of companies producing coffee expand significantly. In the wake of increased demand in the category, a coffee company decided to launch production of coffee beans for sales in specialised retail from 2016 onwards. The company set a task to ensure stable growth of its market share in the coming 3 to 5 years.

Task
The company came to us with the task to formulate a unique market positioning for a new coffee beans brand so that it stands out among its prominent foreign and Russian competitors. We were also to develop a name, logo and visual system for packaging and other branded items. Working on the task, it was important to take into account the possibility that the brand might enter a broad retail market.

Results
We conducted a series of interviews with the top management of the company and analysed structure of the market. We also analysed key competitors of the company in both specialised and broad chain retail segments, their approach to providing services and communication strategies on B2B and B2C markets. Through express customer research, we identified key segments of the target audience at different points of the sales chain: from buyers to end-customers, coffee connoisseurs.

Based on the analytical data, we developed a brand platform for the new brand and a strategy of its development. The new brand’s key message is ‘invariably best coffee’. Due to the high quality of roasting and a short way from roasting to brewing a cup of coffee, coffee preserves its aroma and flavour nuances. This is coffee of the best quality created for true connoisseurs.

We created the name ‘Toppar’, which reflects expert and classical side of the brand as well as its friendly nature. We also designed packaging, visual system and identity for the brand.

Main elements of the graphic system and packaging are based on visual metaphor of the slogan ‘Top of coffee expertise’. One can spot a snowy mountain peak in the logo as well as an underlying sign-shaped colour plate, which is aimed to guide connoisseurs to the very top of coffee quality. Graphics are faithful to Scandinavian style of graphic design, with its simplicity and a minimalistic colour palette. The front of the packaging features a mountain peak composed of coffee utensils and accessories, on top of which sits the very same ideal cup of coffee. Maintaining its fragile balance, the cup is a visual reminder that finding and following an ideal coffee recipe is an art in itself.

The packaging set includes packages of two sizes, 1 kg and 250 g, and two design variations. To differentiate among blends, a sticker is added to the front side of the package indicating a number of the coffee blend from Toppar collection and its flavour characteristics. This design decision allows the company to reduce production costs as well as promptly respond to changing conditions of the market.

Doisy & Dam are a UK based artisan chocolate manufacturer. They produce original flavours from innovative ingredients that have been ethically sourced from around the world to create premium food products that provide the most delicious balance between nutrition and indulgence. They were looking to stand out on the shelves and communicate their exotic on-trend flavours through the packaging.

Naked Ideas helped rebrand the Doisy & Dam brand and designed the packaging across their new snacking chocolate product called Snaps. The idea behind the Snaps range was to create a product that would allow people to share their chocolate through a more simple, snackable approach. We illustrated their fun and bold personality through geometric forms, type treatment and colour.

GrabThai is a Thai food brand, such as sauce, curry paste, herb and spice, snack etc. They sale at asian store in UK and want to expand market to another country in the world. We re-design the brand identity by choose the rubber band that Thai people use for bind a food plastic bag to present " the local Thai street food & authentic". We set a new key visual for packaging design that came up with the story of Thai traditional food packaging to help the brand re-introduce itself to the international market.

Rotate to stack up
To begin with, the project conducts research on the existing distribution package of agricultural products on the market, and discovers that most packaging materials have problems in terms of materials, handling, and recycling, etc. The design is geared towards making the packaging less expensive, more environmentally friendly and more convenient. Finally, collapsible bags made of paper pulp are realized. It is folded in daily storage to take up less space. When in use, it can be stacked through the internal structure by making a 180-degree rotation. The whole design is based on the concept of Chinese character "品". The combination of three "口" symbolizes a family with three members, namely the concept of healthy family life which is of concern to the brand. Meanwhile, the stacking of three "口" is a highlight of the design, namely feature of collapsibility and stacking. Moreover, the Chinese character “品” literally means “quality” which is the symbol of the brand’s commitment to development and innovation, and establishment of life quality.

Allinkdesign created the skincare line aetherna positioning the brand in the niche of professional products that convey their mood through a sophisticated and austere packaging.

The logo communicates a precise positioning with the use of the diphthong ae which refers to the knowledge of the principles of the Roman spa treatments, combining this type of tradition and modernity of the essential lines of the linear and futuristic lettering.

The line, designed for a target very close to the world of beauty and skincare, was dressed with a refined and exclusive finishing, revealing the dermatological research behind the product formulation, which is done before placing the products on the market. The pink gold, trend setter of the season, completes the look of the brand.

Aplauso, the sparkling wine that was born from the common passion for wine and music of three friends from Bairrada to pay tribute to the special occasions. The creative concept for the label was designed with representative elements. The pick used to play guitar stands out in the center of the label and the unconventional format resembles an amphitheater and the red curtain used in the old houses of spectacle. The red color also refers to the red grapes that compose this white sparkling wine. The gold brings the nobility required by a label to make the difference in the market.

ONIRIS is a new product from the range of Duca di Salaparuta, born from the ashes of the IRMANA wines. IRMANA is an aromatic wine of the brand Corvo, the younger brother of Duca di Salaparuta Company, a Sicilian winery with a long history and tradition. The wine is positioned in the low range, and is focused on the concept of naturalness, with a label printed on recycled paper and a long marketing text that explains its natural productive characteristics. The company has decided to raise the product and bring it into the Duca di Salaparuta family. This is why we needed a restyling that would maintain the concept of naturalness, but, using the color codes and weights of Duca di Salaparuta, to make it consistent with the other bottles of the brand. First step was to translate everything in black and white, colors more related to the cellar, the second to change the glass: from a borgognotta to a bordolese: this allowed me to raise the branding, positioning the label higher. For the label I decided to focus on the concept of "hand-picked grapes", representing it using an hand imprint as a symbol of the range.

The result is the transition from a cheap pack to a packaging that: while maintaining at first glance the elegance and refinement typical of the cellar, could also describes the craft values ​​that wants to express the wine.

From the old and well-known Pont L'eveque wine brand that we have previously presented in this blog, this special edition of table olives was born, with a packaging very played, transgressive, fresh and fun like most of the projects of Bodega Estrella of the Andes.

Inspired by perhaps the most famous work of Leonardo Da Vinci "La Gioconda", but with several changes with "punk" style, achieving an irrational contrast.

It is always fun and a challenge to work with the people of Bodega Estralla de los Andes who does not stop having ideas that break with the traditional image and perception of most wineries.

The brand concept of MAMOOR restaurant located in Yerevan, Armenia is inspired by the mystical spirit of dense and virgin forests. It stands to reason that in mysterious forests one can discover and witness new things for the first time never knowing what is around the corner.

The creative team has developed the brand identity of the restaurant having this picture of a vast, green woodland mixed with a mystical air. A greenish mood is created to enhance people’s dining experience in a special and cozy ambiance. The freshness of the design and the chosen colors seem to hit all five senses and pass on the feel of mystery of MAMOOR.

Why MAMOOR? It is an Armenian word meaning “moss”․ Mamoor, as a soft green plant that grows in a layer on wet ground, rocks, or trees is associated with forests and transmits the special energy typical of a woodland.

The brand name was daring for a restaurant, however the team was conscious about the possible risks and created a comprehensive communication umbrella that made the brand distinctive and strong among its competitors.

Art Nouveau style is the main visual inspiration for creation of the visual brand identity. The logo features a mysterious girl, that embodies the spirit of the virgin deep forest. The forest is so dense, that it naturally shuts out all external noises and enables this mystic girl be herself and express herself. This mood is created for people to feel at their ease at the restaurant and enjoy every moment of their stay. Other visual brand elements of the logo are a stylized tree and its branches which also convey the desired mood.

The same style and spirit are applied for the creation of all the brand items. Moreover, some special characters are designed to liven up the entire visual identity.

Some creative concepts were developed for special chocolate boxes, for а label of pine liqueur bottle and for an unusual matchbox with natural matches to be showcased and sold at MAMOOR restaurant gift shop. The design of the boxes is based on a wood texture of a tree. The illustrations of ornaments resembling tree branches and the green color transmit the spirit of the mysterious forest. On the label of pine liqueur bottle a mysterious girl and a deer in an immense forest are illustrated and a green phoenix with open wings is depicted on the matchbox.

To conclude, everything is created to ensure unique atmosphere for the visitors to take a piece of forest mood with them and create an emotional bond with the brand.

Podnovye is a place in the Nizhny Novgorod region, where production of SPAR’s poduct is located. The mayonnaise is rarely associated with a local village product, so the main goal is to emphasize its naturalness and local origin.

There must be nothing superfluous in the composition of the mayonnaise. Everything is extremely simple - eggs, sunflower oil, mustard, sugar and vinegar. This is our mayonnaise - natural, homemade, from village products, without additives and GMOs.

The local origin of the product is reflected in the naming “Village Podnovje” and the subline "products of the native land." In combination with the logo in engraving technology, the brand brings us into the associative field of a cozy and quiet village, where chickens are walking around in the open air, and the air is filled with the aroma of flowers. It is the place where that natural, homemade tasty mayonnaise is created.

Engraving illustrations of ingredients emphasize a simple and natural composition, and their light composition creates airiness, so that mayonnaise is not perceived as a heavy and fatty product.

Thanks to the laconic design and tranquil natural color scheme, mayonnaise "Village Podnovje" stands out prominently on the shelf and advantageously rebuilds its "local" positioning from other brands of the category.

The Client
Maka is a conscious water selling company, with strong Mexican roots. As an eco-friendly and altruistic brand, they only use biodegradable materials for their bottles and support the local Nahua community in Mexico.


The Objective
Create a clear identity that reflects Maka’s Mexican heritage and effectively transmits their ecologic statement.

The Solution
We designed a clean and singular identity focused on distinguishing Maka as an all-Mexican brand. The project started by taking Carlos Merida’s artwork as inspiration. For the icon, we created an abstraction of a tzinitzcan, one of Mexico’s most colorful and beautiful birds. The bottle design displays balance and transparency and works as a white canvas that allows different artwork to be included without altering its visual aesthetics.

Concept
Creation of the new global identity for the cosmetics brand Sara Simar.

Description
Sara Simar is a brand dedicated to the world of cosmetics.

With the redesign of the brand they want to transmit the values ​​that define a current woman: a young woman, sure of herself, singular. Precisely to reflect that naturalness, the brand travels graphic landscapes interpreted by torn paper, resources that give strength and personality to the brand and, at the same time, make us travel to idyllic enclaves, paradisiacal places that bring us wellbeing and beauty.

Origin
Sara Simar is a young, confident and unique woman. Feminine and elegant.

A beauty inspired by the landscapes torn from nature. In sinuous forms that cross the profile of the horizon, to discover a line of products that seeks its essence in the naturalness and purity of its principles.
Sara Simar is the balance of happiness and well-being. The meeting of the beauty of a body in harmony.

I hold a special place in my heart for clients who aren't afraid of a little color and to take a step into the odd and beyond. Papadums Go-go Gourmet is a food truck, frozen food CPG brand and soon-to-be restaurant out of Trinidad & Tobago. Their mission is simple, to provide 5-star food as fast as the guys working the drive-thru. Along with the logotype, every veggie and protein they serve is illustrated moving as fast as humanly possible with some sort of motorized or propelling device. It truly is gourmet on the go.

Sellwin Group has launched a new hygienic product line. Packaging task - to highlight brand amongst over competitive segment, to attract attention and earn trust to the new product.

Key design elements - dynamic pattern and contrast logo. Theirs soft and rhythmic geometry, tender, but expressive colours gain attention and making packaging

visible on a shelf. Large amount of white colour adds to the display of goods, describing the idea of freshness and cleanliness.

Laconic design looks neatly and stylish, illustrating brand positioning - modern and gentle care for yourself.

The project briefing was to develop brand and packaging for a new line of natural products. For this name, we start with the expression "Well I want" to be close to the public. The identification is direct because it shows a good will for itself, for the body and health. Who likes, cares for and looks for quality, natural foods that make everyday life better.

We chose to use the image of the fruit that represents the flavor or what is the product (sugar cane, cocoa, honey and banana) to awaken the consumer's appetite and make the product become flashy on the gondola. The color palette refers to the various colors of nature, bringing the idea of ​​a healthier product.

«Schooner» product range has been widened with the addition of smoked fish line.

Key target during the working process was to ensure that packaging design will stand out amongst existing products and the same time not to lose its identity.

Solution came in with a new type of texture - parchment. Making it the unique element of a new product line, parchment translates the main product quality of «Schooner» - naturalness.

FairTrend is a non profit that works with local businesses. If a local business takes the FairTrend pledge and agrees to only sell clothing that was ethically produced by fairly paid workers in safe conditions, then they will be promoted by the nonprofit through it's website and advertising campaigns. The small business will also receive digital assets and a package with print assets to get them started with a brochure, postcard, t-shirt, and sticker to advertise that they have taken the FairTrend pledge. The non profit supports ethical fashion and workers rights while also directing consumers to small, local businesses, and helping the local economy.

Croutons are well-known, popular and laconic product and we decided to present it with the similar laconic visual solution.

Our main tools are color and minimalistic geometric forms. This approach required the rebuilding of the logo and we made it more modern looking with improved readability. The flavor is carried out with main and supporting colors on the package and with the help of the food zone.

This approach showed all the advantages of KIKIRIKI snacks: the packaging is not overloaded with additional elements, so the product draws all the attention – big, mouth-watering croutons look very appetizing.

With the redesign of Legends tea, REGGS aimed to inspire consumers to slow down and embrace the experience. The detailed physical creates different discovery layers that take you away from the world for a while, enriching the ritual of drinking tea.

It’s all in the detail
Every element is created to stand-out, revealing the unique stories behind the finest hand-picked teas. We wanted to capture the essence of the stunning iconic tea plantations. As a result, the new logo is an abstract illustration of the aerial view of the tea terraces geometry. The one hundred percent natural product characteristics are reflected in the tactility of materials, the refined colour palette and the botanical styling. Furthermore, the eye for detail also manifests itself in the rich illustrations used to capture the fresh ingredients and tea leaves.

To enhance the unboxing experience, the individual tea packets are displayed as a 3-dimensional representation of the brand-mark, adding a unique twist.

As you open the display box in a grand cafe, you reveal the holistic range of LEGENDS tea beautifully presented, with the four range stories guiding you to your perfect match. The terraced presentation of the box, once more echoes the form of the tea plantation. The moment of truth, as the tea packet is opened to reveal an origami folding method, inspires the consumer to slow down, to enjoy the brand experience and engage with the product story.

Letting your mind wander
The detailed physical appearance ensures that people stop, take time and reflect on the experience. The rolling layers of discovery are reminiscent of the clouds rolling over the tea plantations themselves, taking you away from the world for a while, enriching the ritual of drinking tea. The design reflects Smit & Dorlas’ premium, heritage positioning while making it relevant for today's demanding consumer.”