Interviewe mat Cansu Dagbagli Ferreira

The main principle behind Ecohiny Branding is to redefine sustainable product aesthetics by combining playfulness with eco-friendliness. The peach symbol and unique color palette were inspired by the need to break industry norms and create a brand that resonates with modern, eco-conscious consumers.

Our main focus was to develop a brand identity that stands out in a crowded market while effectively communicating sustainability. We aimed to achieve a perfect balance between modern design and eco-credentials, making the product visually appealing and trustworthy.

We aim to leverage the recognition from the award to strengthen the brand’s market presence, exploring potential collaborations and expanding the product line while maintaining the same distinctive design approach.

The design process spanned a year, from April 2022 to April 2023, involving extensive research, prototyping, and multiple iterations to refine the final concept.

This design was commissioned by Ecohiny, with the goal of creating a bold and modern identity for their 100% organic bamboo product.

The design is currently being used by Ecohiny for their product branding, and any future developments or expansions will align with their business strategy.

The challenge of transforming an eco-product into a modern, playful, and distinctive brand motivated me to take on this project. It aligned perfectly with my passion for merging sustainability with innovative design.

While I drew inspiration from modern minimalist and eco-conscious branding trends, the final design is a unique interpretation tailored specifically to Ecohiny’s needs.

The target customers are environmentally conscious individuals seeking sustainable yet modern and approachable products. Young moms looking for a natural product for their kids is a strong target customer group, proven by the sales of the brand.

The use of the peach symbol, a bold and unexpected color palette, and the integration of playfulness with sustainability distinguishes this design from typical eco-product branding.

The name “Ecohiny” was given to me at the beginning of the project and I found it quite innovative, it reflects the eco-friendly nature of the product, while the playful tone aligns with the brand’s modern and quirky personality.

The project was carried out using Adobe Creative Suite, including Illustrator and Photoshop, for design and prototyping.

The innovative color palette and the playful peach symbol are the most unique aspects, challenging traditional eco-product aesthetics.

I collaborated with packaging manufacturers and printing specialists to ensure color accuracy and material compatibility across all branding elements.

Technology played a crucial role in prototyping, color matching, and creating digital assets optimized for e-commerce platforms.

Yes, the design was informed by industry research and consumer insights. We analyzed competitor brands, surveyed target audiences, and conducted focus group testing to validate design choices.

One major challenge was achieving consistent color matching across different materials, which required extensive testing and collaboration with suppliers.

The distinctive and innovative nature of the project made it a strong candidate for international recognition, aligning with the competition’s emphasis on originality and impact. Furthermore, when I have seen the customer comments on e-commerce platforms, I understood that the brand is loved and used by customers happily. This was a big factor in my decision.

I learned the importance of balancing creativity with practical execution, especially when dealing with technical challenges like production and printing.

This project highlights how sustainable products can break free from stereotypes and embrace bold, modern branding to appeal to a wider audience. It demonstrates the power of design to reshape perceptions and drive meaningful change.

I hold a Bachelor of Science degree in Product Design and Master of Arts degree in Design. Since mid level education I was sure that I wanted something in between art and sciences. I felt close to each and was rather successful in each but had not felt to be in the extreme side of any of them. Looking at my options of degrees, what caught my attention was architecture and industrial design.

I knew that I wanted to make things around me more functional and more beautiful. So, I have chosen industrial design because it was offering me more opportunities & more areas to work with in the future. During university education I spent one year in Italy in a Communication Design program. That also had a lot of effect to shape my career as a brand designer today.

It was my choice

I'm a one person design studio that offers brand, packaging and web design services to worldwide clients. I started working as a freelancer in 2014 just after my graduation and during my masters education.

When we graduate from a design school we already have the necessary tools for designing for a project but usually we’re not experienced in managing a whole project process on our own. Here are my suggestions that I give when I talk to young designers:

- Even if you will work for a company or will work independently, make sure to follow standard practices for a project process, as you get more experienced this will flow more naturally.

- Be patient and don’t have unrealistic expectations from yourself. Don't compare yourself with somebody who has many years of experience. Actually don't compare yourself with anybody at all :)

- Portfolio creation is hard but it’s the most important piece that we can show our work, our capabilities. Try to focus on it constantly and make sure that it reflects what you’re capable of, not what you have done created until so far. This means you may create some fiction work or a different presentation that you created for the client.

Care and attention

I’m a hard person to like something :) Firstly I judge by the basic design rules and the functionality. If we’re evaluating a graphic design this starts with visibility & readability. If we’re evaluating a product it starts with ergonomic and usability. Then, after checking these most important boxes, I judge by the aesthetic. Actually these judgements happen really fast in my brain and I might not be able to critic a design very quickly even though I know if it’s good or bad. As I internalized these aspects since the beginning of design education, some decisions come really fast and then I look for the reason after that.

When I'm working with clients, I work for their brand as if it's my own. This is a personality feature, I'm not able to do the opposite. Even though I'm not sure if it's exactly good or bad, I realized that it creates this bond between me and the client because they realize that I'm very honest and I'm going above and beyond to create the best option for that specific brand & target audience. So, overall I believe what makes a design successful is a good communication and dedication during the design process, which then results in great visual fit between the design & target customer.

Dieter Rams, Charles & Ray Eames, Ellen Lupton

Consume a lot of art and design work to train your eye

Probably I would do something in gastronomy area. I have a second degree in gastronomy because I'm passionate about discovering new tastes.

For me, design is exploring the best creative option for what we're creating within the frame of restrictions and relevant context. It's both analytical and imaginative. It's what makes us humans enjoy life, get inspired and find meaning.

My family and my husband

My golden rule is to approach each project in it’s own context. As a heart based business owner, I provide a boutique service that really digs deep into the core of that brand and develop unique solutions that would work for that brand. I enjoy this tailor made process and it definitely gives me something new to learn, develop myself in the meantime.

Being an independent designer is hard in so many levels. Deciding everything by yourself is an advantage but coming up with a vision and plan is not that easy, sometimes we limit ourselves. That's why every advice I received from more experienced designers and mentors are golden.

Lately I'm trying to focus on the visual storytelling side of things. When we're presenting a case study, it's easier to write paragraphs to explain the design process and how it connects to the brand and the customer. But it's even better to tell this visually. I realized that when I successfully do that, projects are more appreciated because viewers understand the idea and the story behind it.

I have some exciting branding projects coming this year in cosmetics, food & drinks areas :)

Continue to create until the last day of my life :)

Empathy and communication. We designers should be able to put ourselves in both client and customer’s shoes. It’s quite important not forgetting about who the end customer is. Sometimes it might be hard to satisfy both the client and the end customer, but it’s a skill that gets stronger by experience.

We have the power of design in our hands and it can be helpful to bring awareness in so many subjects.

I'm fascinated by creating new worlds for brands. It's a world that completely belongs to that personality of the brand and I like to think 360 degree while designing that.

We see the importance of design increases day by day. It became a differentiation factor and an important communication aider for companies. As each company is pushing the boundaries to have a unique design that has a message to give, I’m expecting that a design done just for the beauty will lose impact. Instead, a meaningful design that feels relevant to customers will raise. We already started to see this happening since some years. However, it’s not quite easy to tell a unique story with a design because the roots of that story are in the brand and the marketing strategy. That’s why I feel that the line between the marketing and design will get thinner and more designers will start to upskill in marketing.

For a brand design project we’re looking at a timeline of few months to a year (if there are couple products to be launched, depending on the product, there might be approval process managed by authorities etc.)

Honestly it's a roller coaster of emotions. Each project starts with excitement, then exploration feeling, a bit of stress, then comes the pain of creativity, followed by the hope, adrenaline and satisfaction at the end.

For the work I do, Adobe CC & Figma combination is what I use most. As a hardware I own an iMac at home office and a MacBook Pro for mobile work. Except these direct design tools I use Google Work tools, Airtable for project and payment follow-up. For source of inspiration I use Pinterest and my reference design books.

As Eames said: "The details are not the details. They make the design."

The thought process and inspiration behind it.

"Where can I use this method of thinking?"

Ways of Seeing by John Berger, Creative Act by Rick Rubin

I'm a forever green lover.

For me it's possible to get inspired by many things, I try to see the beauty and ideas behind anything I see. That's why I travel a lot and try to experience many things in life. Especially creativity and art of the things inspires me; there are many inspirations if we really look at nature, art, movies, music, simple routines of daily life, well designed objects; as well as any creative work showcased on online platforms

I wasn't imagining I would be a designer when I was a child but I was so curious about how things are done in our daily lives. For example I would unfold a chocolate wrapper and fold again in the exact same way. It gave me pleasure to see and learn how the package was designed and folded.

I hold a Bachelor of Science degree in Product Design and Master of Arts degree in Design. Since mid level education I was sure that I wanted something in between art and sciences. I felt close to each and was rather successful in each but had not felt to be in the extreme side of any of them. Looking at my options of degrees, what caught my attention was architecture and industrial design.

I knew that I wanted to make things around me more functional and more beautiful. So, I have chosen industrial design because it was offering me more opportunities & more areas to work with in the future. During university education I spent one year in Italy in a Communication Design program. That also had a lot of effect to shape my career as a brand designer today.

I'm a one person design studio that offers brand, packaging and web design services to worldwide clients. I started working as a freelancer in 2014 just after my graduation and during my masters education.

For me, design is exploring the best creative option for what we're creating within the frame of restrictions and relevant context. It's both analytical and imaginative. It's what makes us humans enjoy life, get inspired and find meaning.

I'm fascinated by creating new worlds for brands. It's a world that completely belongs to that personality of the brand and I like to think 360 degree while designing that.

My first work as a freelancer was a brand color palette creation.

When I experience new things that broaden my horizons such as visiting an art exhibition, trying a new food that I haven't tried before, walking down a beautiful scenery. That's why I'm so passionate about travelling which allows me to find new experiences every day!

Consistency is a big must for me while designing a brand.

Honestly it's a roller coaster of emotions. Each project starts with excitement, then exploration feeling, a bit of stress, then comes the pain of creativity, followed by the hope, adrenaline and satisfaction at the end.

Immense happiness and fulfilment

When I'm working with clients, I work for their brand as if it's my own. This is a personality feature, I'm not able to do the opposite. Even though I'm not sure if it's exactly good or bad, I realized that it creates this bond between me and the client because they realize that I'm very honest and I'm going above and beyond to create the best option for that specific brand & target audience. So, overall I believe what makes a design successful is a good communication and dedication during the design process, which then results in great visual fit between the design & target customer.

I’m a hard person to like something :) Firstly I judge by the basic design rules and the functionality. If we’re evaluating a graphic design this starts with visibility & readability. If we’re evaluating a product it starts with ergonomic and usability. Then, after checking these most important boxes, I judge by the aesthetic. Actually these judgements happen really fast in my brain and I might not be able to critic a design very quickly even though I know if it’s good or bad. As I internalized these aspects since the beginning of design education, some decisions come really fast and then I look for the reason after that.

Each designer has their own ethical rules. For me, the responsibility starts with our own life and personal & business decisions. These can be small decisions such as not using any paper for business documents etc. Or bigger decisions such as not working/providing services to the companies in specific sectors. We have the power of design in our hands and it can be helpful to bring awareness.

We see the importance of design increases day by day. It became a differentiation factor and an important communication aider for companies. As each company is pushing the boundaries to have a unique design that has a message to give, I’m expecting that a design done just for the beauty will lose impact. Instead, a meaningful design that feels relevant to customers will raise. We already started to see this happening since some years. However, it’s not quite easy to tell a unique story with a design because the roots of that story are in the brand and the marketing strategy. That’s why I feel that the line between the marketing and design will get thinner and more designers will start to upskill in marketing.

For me it's possible to get inspired by many things, I try to see the beauty and ideas behind anything I see. That's why I travel a lot and try to experience many things in life. Especially creativity and art of the things inspires me; there are many inspirations if we really look at nature, art, movies, music, simple routines of daily life, well designed objects; as well as any creative work showcased on behance, pinterest etc.

I’m able to design in many different styles however what is in common in all of them is the versatility and clarity. I’m aware that a brand appears in a lot of different mediums in a variety of formats, that’s why I give importance to flexibility. It’s important for me that the brand I create looks good on all mediums and formats. So even though I can create in a very minimal style or an eclectic style, in a feminine or a masculine style, in a colorful or monochrome style, in a dynamic or still style, in a bold or classic style, the main characteristic is that the brand would be versatile and clean.

I'm currently based in Paris, France. However I'm from Turkey and lived briefly in Italy and Brazil before. In my opinion all these experiences shaped my design approach as a heritage and it creates a mix of work culture, design perspective. It allows me to be able to work with many different styles.

I mostly work on a project basis. My client portfolio generally consists of startup companies who're in the phase of creating their brands or in a rebranding. However I also work with top tier corporate companies for their packaging, presentation designs etc. I like to build long and lasting relationships where I'm almost like a partner to them and they can trust me with their valuable brand.

A common pattern that I see when companies are looking for a designer is that they look for somebody who has already worked in the same area. I don’t see that this aspect is really important. Because the education we passed through allows us to design in a very broad perspective. My suggestion would be to look for design style and communication instead. IF you like what’s in that designer’s portfolio, probably he/she is a good fit for you. Some easy rules to follow can be:

- Read reviews of the designer and try to understand the their process and communication. Reviews say a lot than you expect. You should make sure to choose a designer that is honest, responsible and follows a project timeline, delivers on time. If you see these keywords on their reviews, chances are high that this designer is a good choice.

- Reach with a design brief so that everything can go smoother and more efficient

- Trust the expertise of the designer but provide them with enough information about your company & product so that they can better understand your needs

I have set a streamlined process from the start to the end of a project. It's a result of many years of experience and is evolving every day. Mostly I get approached by companies who would like to commission my design services and after a short discussion (through messaging and an online design brief form) I understand their brand, product and their design needs I provide my design proposal. If gets accepted we start to work. I also have a standard process for onboarding, invoices, offboarding etc.

My Barcelona Chair

The gallery art wall I designed and created for my office

My reference arts and design books

Handmade walnut pencil case and coasters designed and made by my classmate's brand

Pour over slow coffee machine

I work some days from home and some days from a shared office. It feels good to be surrounded by other people and boosts my motivation and creativity. I work around 6 hours per day and arrange the morning tasks to be the lighter ones, then after lunch I work on the heavier tasks. After work I go to exercise or go out with friends & family. Usually don’t work on the weekends and spend my time visiting art exhibitions, events, socialize.

When we graduate from a design school we already have the necessary tools for designing for a project but usually we’re not experienced in managing a whole project process on our own. Here are my suggestions that I give when I talk to young designers:

- Even if you will work for a company or will work independently, make sure to follow standard practices for a project process, as you get more experienced this will flow more naturally.

- Be patient and don’t have unrealistic expectations from yourself. Don't compare yourself with somebody who has many years of experience. Actually don't compare yourself with anybody at all :)

- Portfolio creation is hard but it’s the most important piece that we can show our work, our capabilities. Try to focus on it constantly and make sure that it reflects what you’re capable of, not what you have done created until so far. This means you may create some fiction work or a different presentation that you created for the client.

I love being a designer, actually I don’t exactly remember how my thought process was and how I used to see life before becoming a designer. That’s why I usually see the good points. I see life differently and can extract inspiration from anything I see around. This feels good and positive. Another big positive point is, the satisfaction that creative process brings is a sensation that can’t be beaten by anything else.

My golden rule is to approach each project in it’s own context. As a heart based business owner, I provide a boutique service that really digs deep into the core of that brand and develop unique solutions that would work for that brand. I enjoy this tailor made process and it definitely gives me something new to learn, develop myself in the meantime.

Empathy and communication. We designers should be able to put ourselves in both client and customer’s shoes. It’s quite important not forgetting about who the end customer is. Sometimes it might be hard to satisfy both the client and the end customer, but it’s a skill that gets stronger by experience.

For the work I do, Adobe CC & Figma combination is what I use most. As a hardware I own an iMac at home office and a MacBook Pro for mobile work. Except these direct design tools I use Google Work tools, Airtable for project and payment follow-up. For source of inspiration I use beloved lover of designers Pinterest :) and my reference design books.

I have a personality that hardly starts to do something but also hardly can stop to do something as well. Usually when I’m hooked, I focus very deeply and can forget to eat etc. That’s why it becomes important for me to manage my time and set an agenda for work. I try to create a routine for my daily tasks and work tasks, it helps to plug off at a certain point so that I have a balanced life. I’m following an exercise routine which also helps to clear my head off.

For a brand design project we’re looking at a timeline of few months to a year (if there are couple products to be launched, depending on the product, there might be approval process managed by authorities etc.)

I’m often get asked about my project & design process and how I come up with ideas. The first is easy to answer as there is a step by step process I follow but the latter is hard to answer :) Essentially I put myself to brainstorm, sketch and try as many ideas as possible. Then I choose the best ideas among them to develop. When I start somewhere, the rest come unfolding and I just need to know where to stop producing ideas.

Some known clients to mention: Johnson & Johnson, Snapchat, Hallmark.

Same as question 4

I would like to continue creating tailor made meaningful brands for a long period. This gives me a satisfaction at both professional and personal level. In the meantime I’m mentoring young designers for improving design & communication skills and independent career. At the moment all of my mentees are women and I’m so proud of that. In the future I would like to continue where I might be most beneficial to young designers and to the public as a design ambassador

I develop my designs alone 90% of the time. However sometimes I have collaborations in some projects with illustrators or motion designers.

I prefer an email as a professional communication medium so I’m reachable at hello@cansudagbagli.com

I’m also active on Twitter (@cansudgbgli) where I share my experiences and moments from my design process

The birth of this symbol came out of a rigorous exploration phase where we actively tried to embed different culinary concepts directly into the letterforms. We sketched and prototyped a wide array of food-related symbols, including cutlery, a chef's hat, and pots viewed from both the side and top perspectives. Ultimately, the pan from a top-down view emerged as our absolute best choice. It was elegant in its simplicity, highly recognizable even at micro-scales, and its geometric silhouette fit perfectly within the counter-space and stem of the letter “p.”The true turning point during the iteration process was resolving its frequency. Initially, we hid the frying pan symbol inside both “p” letters within the brand name "prepd." However, as we refined the typography, we realized that duplicating the visual pun made the wordmark slightly forced. We made the conscious decision to drop one and keep the symbol solely within the first "p".Limiting the gesture to a singular occurrence made the identity feel significantly stronger, sharper, and more intentional.

Traditional food delivery applications usually treat design as a frictionless logistics portal, focusing on speed and generic efficiency. Prepd treats the identity as a personality-driven event. We went beyond standard digital trends by focusing heavily on the emotional "payoff" of a user's craving.The visual system treats the packaging not as a simple delivery box, but as an physical unboxing of a piece of digital media you’ve been craving online. By applying bold compositions, stark color contrasts, and literal brand touchpoints onto the food itself—such as branding our custom icon directly onto the burger buns—the design physicalizes the digital experience. It captures the transition from a scroll to a bite, making the arrival of the meal feel premium, tactile, and culturally alive.

Pure creative intuition often defaults to what is safe or currently trending within a specific sector. Our structured UI/UX audits of the food-tech landscape revealed a profound sense of visual fatigue: the industry was split into either aggressive, primary-colored fast-food reds or hyper-minimal, clinical tech platforms. Both approaches lacked emotional warmth and distinct character.This research-led insight proved that a clean, sterile app design would actually alienate a community looking for food that carries "attitude and appetite." It directly shaped our color strategy. Instead of relying on safe tech palettes, we converged on a disruptive combination of Deep Forest Green and high-vis Lime. This pairing gives the platform an instant, memorable edge on a smartphone screen while remaining grounded in culinary quality.

Receiving this Bronze A' Design Award is an incredible professional validation because it honors a design that had to build a sense of space entirely out of thin air. In a cloud kitchen model, you don't have the luxury of interior architecture, ambient lighting, or physical hospitality to anchor your brand prestige. The packaging, typography, and digital interface must carry that entire burden.This recognition proves that a well-crafted visual identity can establish a premium "place" without needing brick-and-mortar real estate. It reflects our broader ambition: to prove that food-tech doesn't have to be cold or transactional. It can possess the same cultural weight, human texture, and design rigor as a high-end physical dining institution.

The single most defining decision was grounding our high-energy, electric lime green with an elegant, deeply saturated Forest Green. If we had leaned entirely into the lime and playful geometry, the identity would have quickly drifted into a cheap, disposable aesthetic. The introduction of the deep, anchoring green brought an immediate sense of professional kitchen craft, quality, and authority.Navigating this tension permanently changed our approach to premium positioning. It taught us that digital-first premiumness requires strict contrast. You can use vibrant, immediate graphic elements to mimic the energy of social media, but they must be held together by a highly structured typographic framework—like our choice of Instrument Sans—to ensure the brand retains long-term prestige.

We consciously avoided the classic fast-food palette of bright reds and intense yellows, which are scientifically proven to trigger immediate hunger but carry heavy associations with mass production and low-tier convenience. Prepd needed to signal an entirely different tier of dining.Our color strategy combined two contrasting cultural narratives:Deep Forest Green: Chosen to build an association with fresh, premium ingredients and the grounded rigor of professional chefs.High-Energy Lime: Introduced to capture the digital glare and vibrant screen lifestyle of influencer culture.When tested against our target foodie demographic, this specific juxtaposition was highly successful. It triggered an association with clean, high-quality ingredients while providing the necessary visual pop to instantly disrupt a crowded smartphone home screen or stand out on a delivery courier's backpack in transit.

As the "Creator-Led Dining" category expands, Prepd’s visual system will scale by leaning further into its editorial and collaborative strengths. The brand identity is built to function like a high-end publishing house that curates different creator recipes, meaning it can easily adapt to showcase various influencer aesthetics without losing its own voice.However, two core design principles must remain completely non-negotiable:The Negative-Space Anchor: The custom "p" frying pan logotype must remain intact as our primary seal of professional culinary curation.The Human-First Visual Filter: Our style of candid photography cannot be compromised. The moment the brand switches to sterile, hyper-polished, or robotic corporate food styling, it will lose its connection to creator culture and dissolve into a standard, soul-less food delivery app.

Our research showed that younger food lovers don't just love the recipes influencers post—they love the intimacy and realness of watching a creator cook and eat. Traditional food-tech photography completely sterilizes this emotion by using top-down, hyper-lit, and clinical product shots.To turn those emotional data points into design, we established a strict "human-first" photographic style. We mandated close, unposed angles that capture people fully immersed in the messy, joyful experience of eating—mid-bite, mid-laugh, under natural light with real textures and intentional imperfections. We paired this raw imagery with Instrument Sans, a clean contemporary typeface that balances technical clarity with an organic warmth. Together, they give Prepd a conversational voice that feels less like a corporate app and more like a direct message from a trusted friend.

This constraint completely flipped our understanding of design hierarchy. When you don't have a physical restaurant space, your courier is your host, the delivery bag is your front door, and the container is your dining table. Packaging cannot just be a vessel for transport; it must become a structural piece of brand architecture.This forced us to focus heavily on the secondary touchpoints—designing high-visibility courier bags, heavy-weight custom paper delivery bags, and premium container sleeves that feel substantial in the hand. The broader lesson for the cloud kitchen sector is clear: do not hide behind anonymous, generic packaging. If you want to build long-term equity and command a premium price tier, your packaging must work twice as hard to deliver a memorable, high-personality sensory event right at the doorstep.

We managed this visual tension by treating the two design languages as separate, functional stages of a professional kitchen process: preparation and presentation.The minimal geometric framework, clean grid lines, and crisp typography function as the chef's clean plate—they provide the necessary structural precision, authority, and professional grounding. The bold, candid influencer photography represents the living flavor and sensory chaos served on top of that plate.Our guiding principle was to never let them overlap directly in a messy way; instead, they frame one another. The strict, clean lines of our layouts act as a clear boundary that allows the raw, emotional energy of the photography to safely explode off the page/screen. They coexist beautifully because they mirror the reality of gastronomy: a premium dining event requires both intense kitchen discipline and pure, unbridled passion.

The philosophical journey was centered on the concept of invisible necessity. When exploring the narrative of the Huambo springs feeding the Okavango River, we realized that water in this ecosystem isn't a loud, decorative afterthought—it is the underlying life force that quietly sustains everything around it. Slapping a literal wave graphic onto the packaging would have felt superficial and cliché.By concealing the water splash within the counter-space of the letter “a,” we transformed the liquid element into a discovery. It rewards the consumer upon closer inspection, mirroring the way fresh springs are discovered within the Angolan landscape. This decision anchors the entire identity: the branding doesn't need to shout its origin through loud, overt tropes because the flow is literally built into the structural DNA of the typography.

Going into the project, traditional assumptions might suggest that a regional product should lean heavily into heritage patterns or classical folklore motifs to feel "authentic." However, our direct engagement with the young demographic in Angola completely inverted that premise. The local youth didn't want a nostalgic museum artifact; they wanted a brand that felt contemporary, global, and highly competitive, while remaining proudly rooted in their terrain.They expressed a desire for clean, premium spaces that stood out against the chaotic, overly busy visual landscape often found in traditional retail environments. This insight shifted our strategy entirely. It led us to develop an ultra-clean layout system balanced with trendy, vibrant color pairings. This approach honors the energy of modern Angola through sophisticated visual restraint rather than predictable cultural shorthand.

The "Color Binom" strategy was born out of a desire for absolute functional clarity. We wanted the packaging to immediately communicate taste without relying on literal fruit photography or complex illustrations.To make this system robust, we created color pairings across three initial flavors, representing the inner and outer colors of the fruits:Yuzu & Lime: A high-visibility combination of lime green paired with deep forest green.Maracuja: A contrasting duo of deep tropical purple matched with a vibrant yellow core.Manga: A warm, fluid pairing of intense sun-yellow and rich orange.The unifying element across the entire family is the mathematically consistent white base block at the bottom of the can and the centralized alignment of the geometric icons. By anchoring every can in the exact same layout proportions, the colors are free to shift dramatically between flavors without ever breaking the visual coherence of the brand line.

Personally, this reframing is the most fulfilling aspect of the project. For too long, global branding frameworks have dictated that premium design must look Eurocentric, clinical, and muted, while African products are often pigeonholed into rigid, hyper-traditional aesthetic boxes.Zona stands as a firm rejection of that double standard. It asserts that an Angolan brand has the absolute right to be minimal, trendy, and structurally sophisticated on its own terms.By anchoring the visual identity in a rigorous, logic-driven design system—where the geography of Huambo inspires abstract geometric vectors rather than literal interpretations—we prove that local African stories can yield globally competitive, premium visual standards. It shifts the narrative from “made in Africa for novelty” to “designed for Angola as a benchmark of excellence.”

Managing a brand launch across a geographically distributed triangle—navigating the design phase, testing environments, and local market realities—presented a real challenge in maintaining visual intent. The primary obstacle was ensuring that the nuanced, minimalist details we crafted digitally would translate seamlessly across different physical production standards and cultural contexts.This friction forced us to strip away any unnecessary decorative elements and make the design system incredibly robust. If a brand identity relies on overly complex gradients or fragile typographic layouts, it risks falling apart during cross-border production. Overcoming this hurdle pushed Zona to become bolder, cleaner, and more geometric. The constraint of distance ultimately refined the project, forcing us to deliver a visual system where every single line, color choice, and typographic anchor point is entirely essential.

In the early Diverge phase, we were creating loose, organic vector art that represented Okavango River system. While these sketches established our overarching liquid theme, they lacked a functional connection to the actual product inside the cans—the flavor. We realized that an identity built solely on abstract water lines wouldn't help a consumer differentiate between a crisp citrus and a smooth tropical blend.The breakthrough Converge moment happened when we decided to use those fluid lines to map the physical and sensory characteristics of the fruits themselves, translating taste into pure geometry.Sharp Geometry (Yuzu & Lime): For our citrus profile, the lines converged into sharp, angular, and kinetic geometric vectors. This directly mirrors both the physical sharpness and straight, intersecting lines of the fruit's inner anatomy and the zesty, high-acid bite of the flavor profile.Rounded Geometry (Maracuja & Manga): For our passionfruit and mango profiles, the line work shifted into soft, continuous, and rounded sweeping curves. This honors the organic, circular silhouettes of these fruits while visually representing their smoother, sweeter, and more rounded taste characteristics.By merging the fluidity of water lines with the distinct sensory traits of the ingredients, we created an icon language that allows a consumer to visually "taste" the product before ever opening the can.

To scale successfully without dilution, a brand identity must know exactly what can flex and what must remain absolute. As Zona introduces new flavors, the Color Binom methodology and the geometric icon framework are infinitely scalable. Any new fruit flavor can be elegantly distilled into its inner/outer color matrix and mapped onto a centralized geometric icon.However, three core elements must remain absolutely immovable:The Logotype: The custom warm serif logotype with the concealed water splash in the letter “a” should not be altered or separated from its proportions.The White Base Horizon: The crisp white lower third of the packaging, which cleanly houses the technical liquid specifications, is non-negotiable for family consistency.The Central Axis: The strict rule that the geometric flavor icon must sit precisely in the optical center of the can, drawing the eye directly to the core of the packaging.

The dimension that often goes unnoticed is the intense mathematical calculation behind the negative space. Emerging designers frequently look at a minimal aesthetic and assume it is "easy" because the canvas isn't covered in graphic elements. In reality, minimalism is an exercise in extreme exposure—when you have very few elements on a can, a single millimeter of misalignment looks like a massive mistake.I want emerging designers to understand that the clean look of Zona isn't an absence of design; it is a concentration of it. The optical balance between the friendly serif typeface, the weight of the central geometric icon, and the exact height of the white horizon line required precise calibration. True premium packaging design isn't about how much you can add to a can, but how much you can strip away while increasing the brand's immediate emotional impact.

Printing directly onto aluminum at high manufacturing speeds means you are dealing with ink tolerances, metal distortion, and precise line weights. Our initial 3D digital renders looked beautiful under perfect virtual lighting, but a virtual canvas doesn't account for ink bleed on a curved aluminum surface.To bridge this gap, we executed a rigorous simulation process. We adjusted the thickness of the fine lines within our geometric icons, ensuring they were wide enough to prevent ink bridging during high-speed printing, yet thin enough to retain their premium, lightweight appearance. We also calibrated the contrast of our color binoms against the reflective nature of the metal substrate. This industrial testing taught us that digital design intent is only a hypothesis; the true craft lies in manipulating vectors to thrive within the uncompromising realities of heavy manufacturing machinery.

The icon system succeeded because we didn't treat the geometry as a random decoration; we treated it as an architectural blueprint of the product's origin story. Each icon utilizes clean lines that appeal to the aesthetic tastes of a design-forward, youth demographic, giving the brand an international appeal. However, the internal physics of those shapes—the specific way the lines curve, gather, and disperse—directly mimics the behavior of the fruits' geometry and taste.The most valuable principle for other designers is this: Anchor your abstract geometry in a strict, real-world rationale.[Local Ecological Narrative] ➔ [Mathematical Abstraction] ➔ [Universal Modern Icon]When your icons are built with an internal logic rooted in the brand's true core story, the visual language naturally feels authentic, balanced, and timeless, completely avoiding the trap of superficial decoration.

The key was to never let the technology overpower the story of Hocking Hills. From the beginning, our goal was to make the platform feel like a quiet companion to nature, not an intrusive digital layer. We streamlined booking flows and navigation to be as intuitive as possible, but visually, we leaned on restraint. Neutral, earthy tones, subtle textures, and plenty of breathing space ensure the experience feels calm, inviting, and reflective of the park's organic beauty, rather than corporate or over-designed. It was a constant balancing act between functionality and feeling.

The icon set was designed to quietly guide, not distract. Our philosophy was rooted in simplicity and clarity, with visual language inspired by natural forms: rounded edges, soft curves, a sense of approachability. Every icon serves a specific purpose, distilled to its essence so users recognize it intuitively. We also maintained consistent line weights and style to avoid visual noise. By keeping the system coherent, the icons help declutter information and improve scalability without adding complexity.

Even though I was working from France and the project was rooted in Ohio, the love for nature is a universal feeling. That was our foundation. We didn’t approach this as just a local tourism platform, it was about capturing that shared human connection to being outdoors, exploring, and finding peace in nature. The visual language, the calm tone, the intuitive structure, all of it was designed to feel welcoming whether you’re a local planning a weekend getaway or an international visitor discovering Hocking Hills for the first time. Nature brings people together, and we built on that idea.

For me, minimalism isn’t about removing for the sake of aesthetics, it’s about focusing attention. We started by asking what truly adds value to the user's journey. Visual clutter, heavy gradients, or complex graphics were stripped away. We retained subtle textures, understated photography, and a harmonious color palette: elements that complement the park's natural character. Anything that didn't serve clarity, mood, or usability was eliminated. The result feels intentional, calm, and human.

The previous website had been in place for almost 15 years, and while it served its purpose for a time, both the navigation flow and the overall UI were no longer relevant to today’s user expectations. We wanted to modernize the look and feel, but design isn’t just about aesthetics, it’s about solving real problems. That’s where the user data became essential. We studied how people interacted with the old platform and identified points of confusion, like several pages offering overlapping functions, which we streamlined or eliminated entirely. We also improved the overall flow to make it more intuitive, reducing friction and helping users find what they need with ease.

We approached the design system like building with adaptable, well-crafted pieces. Typography, color palette, spacing rules, and iconography were defined early with enough flexibility to evolve as new requirements emerged. The key was establishing clear visual principles - natural, approachable, minimal -so even as components grew, the system stayed coherent. Regular design reviews ensured alignment, and because the foundation was solid, scaling the system didn’t dilute the brand character.

The biggest challenge was ensuring the immersive, spacious feel translated to smaller screens without sacrificing usability. Mobile users often book on the go, so we prioritized thumb-friendly interactions, simplified navigation, and collapsible menus. We also adjusted spacing and imagery to maintain a sense of calm, not overwhelm. Testing across devices was constant, our goal was that whether on a desktop or phone, users experience the same intuitive, nature-inspired flow.

It was never about imposing a trendy design language. We focused on quiet modernity - clean lines, thoughtful typography, and restrained color choices that feel contemporary but never sterile. Local heritage was honored through organic textures, earthy tones, and respectful imagery that highlight the park’s beauty without resorting to clichés. The result feels both modern and grounded, acknowledging where the brand comes from while preparing it for where it's going.

I believe digital experiences for nature-focused destinations should evoke the same values as the places themselves: calm, clarity, and connection. With Hocking Hills, we demonstrated that platforms can be efficient and modern without losing authenticity. I hope this encourages other brands to move away from over-commercialized, template-driven solutions and instead create digital spaces that respect the environment they represent, inviting exploration while staying true to the essence of the place.

Booking a cabin or planning activities shouldn’t feel like filling out a tax form. We broke the process into digestible steps with clear progress indicators. Visual hierarchy guides users intuitively, while contextual information - like availability tips or map previews - appears only when needed. We reduced form fields, optimized search filters, and ensured actions like reserving, paying, or exploring activities feel light and seamless. The platform offers everything users need, just without the overwhelm.

For me, the key was never to mimic tradition for the sake of nostalgia, but to reinterpret it with intention. Grovehood Collective is rooted in small-scale farming and craftsmanship, but it’s also a forward-thinking brand, prioritizing traceability and transparency. The design reflects that balance, a vintage-inspired label with crafted details brings warmth and familiarity, while the clean layout, refined typography, and restrained color palette introduce a modern, honest aesthetic. It feels connected to heritage, yet confidently contemporary.

The idea came from observing how, for these family-run farms, life truly revolves around the olive harvest. It’s not just agriculture, it’s generational, it’s personal, their center of gravity. The olive with orbit lines captures that sense of dedication, with the orbits symbolizing both movement and connection - the connection between the land, the farmer, and the consumer. It also quietly reflects the brand’s focus on transparency, as traceability is essentially about making those invisible connections visible.

It was definitely a challenge, the bottle is elegant but the label space is compact. That’s where considered hierarchy and restraint became essential. We prioritized only the most relevant information on the front, letting the design breathe. Secondary details, like traceability information, are placed more discreetly but remain easily accessible on the back. We also used custom-cut label edges to create visual intrigue without overcrowding. The result feels premium and intentional, even within tight space constraints.

The palette was directly inspired by the landscapes where the olives grow, the muted greens, the warmth of the soil, the golden tones of the oil itself. We intentionally avoided artificial or overly saturated colors. The aim was to echo the product’s purity and the understated beauty of the farms. The colors not only create visual harmony but also reinforce the tactile, earth-connected feel of the brand. It was about making every detail feel grounded and honest.

Being the first to prioritize full traceability in the market is a powerful differentiator, and I wanted the branding to reflect that leadership in a humble, approachable way. We steered away from overly commercial aesthetics and instead focused on materials, textures, and design choices that felt crafted and real. Authenticity guided everything - from the storytelling layers to the tactile label cut - because this brand isn’t just selling olive oil; it’s offering an honest connection to its source.

The custom-cut double label was a deliberate choice to elevate both the storytelling and the sensory experience. The technical challenge was ensuring perfect alignment and achieving a clean cut that would hold up in production across thousands of units. We worked closely with print suppliers to fine-tune the die-cutting process and test materials that would maintain both sharpness and flexibility. This extra layer of detail gives the packaging a crafted feel that immediately signals quality when held in hand.

Considering the exceptional quality of the olive oil, it was clear the packaging needed to elevate the perception accordingly. The unique bottle silhouette immediately communicates value, care, and a sense of ritual in opening and pouring. It feels like something to savor, not just consume. Every element, from the glass bottle to the refined label system was carefully selected to mirror the premium quality inside. The packaging is an invitation to appreciate the craftsmanship at every touchpoint.

Typography was essential in striking the right tone. I selected a serif with slight vintage cues for the logo typeface and modified some letters to underline the uniqueness and high quality craftsmanship of the product, it evokes tradition, but the clean, modern execution prevents it from feeling dated. For supporting text, I paired it with a simple, legible sans serif to maintain balance and readability. I specifically spent time perfecting the kerning of the logotype, making sure every letter feels balanced and intentional. Special attention went to the E letter, ensuring it stands upright and visually correct even on the curved path of the logo. These small, meticulous refinements are what ultimately create that polished, crafted feel.

Maintaining color consistency across different substrates is always a technical challenge. We collaborated closely with printers to run multiple tests, adjusting ink density and finishes to account for material absorption differences. We developed a color guide specific to each material, ensuring that whether on PP labels, paper tags, or pouches, the visual language stayed cohesive. The process required patience and precision, but it was essential to protect the integrity of the brand across all touchpoints.

The award brings visibility and credibility, but more importantly, it reinforces Grovehood’s commitment to thoughtful design and transparent storytelling. It opens doors for the brand to expand while holding onto the same core values of authenticity and craftsmanship. I believe the recognition will encourage the brand to continue innovating in how it connects people to the origins of their food, both through design and through meaningful partnerships with producers.

The concept began with the idea of connection, between land and sea, morning rituals and elevated experiences. The coffee bean was naturally central, but I didn’t want it to feel generic or isolated. The sunbeams represent both the start of the day and the warmth of indulgence, while the gentle waves ground the brand firmly within its coastal, yachting context. The challenge was to merge these without visual noise. Through refinement, we distilled these elements into a single, elegant mark: minimal, but rich in meaning. It feels effortless, yet every line is intentional.

Luxury today isn’t loud, it’s thoughtful. The yachting community, in particular, is increasingly aware of its environmental footprint. We wanted the brand to quietly reflect that awareness. The earthy, understated tones evoke a sense of calm and authenticity, while the use of recycled paper brings substance to the sustainability message. At the same time, the minimal layout, refined typography, and considered details ensure the brand retains its premium, sophisticated feel. It’s a quiet confidence that speaks to both values (luxury and responsibility) without compromise.

One of the most valuable aspects of this project was that my client herself had years of experience as luxury yacht crew and manager. Her firsthand insights were incredibly helpful in shaping both the strategic and visual direction of the brand. She understood the level of discretion, attention to detail, and seamless quality expected in that environment. Through our conversations, it became clear that the brand had to feel quietly confident, refined, consistent, and effortless, never loud or overly branded. That perspective guided every decision, from material choices to the tone of the design, ensuring the brand feels perfectly at home within the world of luxury yachting.

The rhythm of life at sea is naturally slower, more intentional, and I wanted the brand to reflect that. We avoided anything overly bold or busy. Instead, we embraced simplicity: spacious layouts, subtle textures, calming color tones. The logo itself has a quiet, balanced geometry, much like the horizon line over the ocean. The entire visual system invites a moment of pause, mirroring the experience of enjoying a perfect coffee while anchored in calm waters.

Sourcing packaging for coffee always requires a balance between form and function, but when sustainability is non-negotiable, it becomes more complex. Recyclable paper pouches that preserve freshness and withstand the sometimes humid, coastal environment weren’t easy to find. We worked closely with suppliers to test options, ensuring both quality and aesthetic alignment. The final packaging from a European supplier reflects those efforts, it protects the product, communicates eco-conscious values, and feels premium in hand.

Distillation was key. Rather than literally illustrating each element, I focused on finding their shared visual language, clean curves, balanced proportions, quiet symbolism. The coffee bean, sunbeams, and waves merge seamlessly because they’re reduced to their essence. I’m always drawn to logos that reveal themselves gradually: the first glance feels simple, but with time, the layers of meaning emerge. That’s exactly what we aimed for with Onshore Roasters.

Consistency is paramount at sea, luxury isn't just about appearance, it's about reliable experience. Beyond the aesthetic, the branding reflects that dependability. The packaging is designed to preserve freshness even in coastal conditions, while the visual identity feels understated yet refined, perfectly suited to the discreet elegance of life onboard. The brand quietly assures yacht owners and crew that every detail, from bean to branding, has been considered.

For me, good branding works as effortlessly on a small detail as it does on large-scale applications. The key was keeping the system minimal yet distinctive. The logo maintains its integrity at any size, while the earthy color palette and typography adapt beautifully across paper, metal, and digital touchpoints. Materiality was also a factor, tactile finishes, natural textures, and subtle contrasts enhance the brand’s sensory appeal.

Awards are always an honor, but for me, they also serve as a reminder that quiet, considered design still resonates. Luxury doesn’t always need to shout to be seen. This project reinforced my belief that authenticity, sustainability, and refined simplicity can coexist, and be celebrated. It encourages me to continue approaching luxury branding not through excess, but through clarity, intention, and meaningful storytelling.

The biggest lesson is that luxury and sustainability are not opposing forces, they can amplify each other when approached with care. True luxury today is thoughtful, responsible, and intentional. It’s about refining the details, respecting the environment, and creating something that feels both indulgent and aligned with modern values. For emerging designers, my advice is to go beyond surface-level aesthetics, observe, listen and understand the lifestyle, the values, and the context, then design with empathy and precision.

The balance between a young, colorful aesthetic and a clean, minimalist approach was key in making Nutrili feel both effective and approachable. The design avoids clutter while embracing vibrant hues and gradients that reflect the natural ingredients. By keeping the packaging structured yet playful, we ensured it would resonate with a health-conscious yet style-aware audience.

Sustainability was a core value from the start, and using ocean-diverted recycled plastic reinforced Nutrili’s commitment to responsible consumption. This influenced the design by inspiring a balance between transparency (both visually and ethically) and modern aesthetics. The clean, functional look reflects the purity of the ingredients, while the minimal yet bold layout keeps the focus on what matters—sustainability without compromise.

The wave and star symbols were designed to communicate both nourishment and transformation. The waves represent fluidity, absorption, and the natural elements in the supplements, while the stars symbolize radiance and vitality—the visible benefits of using the product. These symbols are framed by a drop, which is the shape of the gummies - hero products of the brand. This subtle yet meaningful iconography reinforces the idea that Nutrili enhances wellness from the inside out.

Designing for both Arabic and English within limited label space required a careful approach to hierarchy and typography. The layout was structured to ensure readability in both languages without overwhelming the design. Arabic and English were given equal importance, with typographic choices that balanced legibility and aesthetics. Alignments and spacing were meticulously adjusted to maintain a clean, functional look while preserving the brand’s modern and approachable feel. The result was a seamless bilingual design that communicated effectively to a diverse audience.

The decision to use gradients was driven by the need to attract UAE customers, who are accustomed to vibrant and busy packaging, while still maintaining a clean and modern aesthetic. Instead of using overly complex visuals, we introduced subtle gradients to bring energy and differentiation to each product without overwhelming the design. This approach created a balance—ensuring the packaging stood out on shelves while keeping the brand minimal, premium, and functional. The gradients add depth and personality, making the products visually appealing without compromising clarity.

The creative process involved exploring a wide range of directions (divergence) before refining the strongest concept (convergence). We started with various interpretations of ‘clean yet vibrant,’ testing different iconography, color palettes, and typography styles before narrowing it down to the drop symbol and structured a modern layout. This method allowed us to develop the strongest design option to balance clarity, playfulness, and effectiveness.

Online visibility was a key consideration in the design. The bold typography and direct communication of benefits ensure that the packaging remains legible even at small sizes on digital platforms. Minimalism also played a role—by avoiding excessive details, the design stands out in an e-commerce environment where quick recognition is essential.

Scientific credibility was established through clean, structured typography and a no-nonsense approach to labeling. The balance came from using vibrant yet sophisticated colors, friendly but modern typefaces, and a packaging style that communicates effectiveness without looking overly clinical. This made the brand feel both trustworthy and inviting.

The drop symbol evolved from a simple form inspired by the shape of the gummies. As the concept developed, it gained deeper meaning, incorporating waves and stars to reinforce the idea of nourishment and wellness. This adaptable icon became a core part of the brand identity, representing both product form and the transformative power of nutrients.

Nutrili sets an example for how supplement branding can blend sustainability with modern, engaging design. The use of recycled materials, clean yet playful aesthetics, and strong visual storytelling could inspire future supplement brands to move away from sterile, pharmaceutical-style packaging toward something more vibrant and consumer-friendly—all while maintaining credibility.

The "Effortless Wisdom" concept emerged from the deep understanding that indigenous cultures have of the wisdom of plants—knowledge accumulated over centuries and shared with grace. This inherent wisdom appears effortless due to its long-standing presence in Dakota culture, which seamlessly integrates respect for nature into daily life. By embedding geometric and symmetric shapes drawn from Dakota art into our packaging, we honor this traditional wisdom while presenting it in a modern format. The harmonious design reflects the serene, balanced connection indigenous peoples have with their natural surroundings, symbolizing the seamless blend of ancient knowledge with contemporary design practices.

Our decision to focus on geometric symmetry in the Heti branding was inspired by its profound significance in Dakota art, where such elements symbolize balance and harmony—core values deeply embedded in indigenous cultures. By incorporating these visual elements, we aim to embody the natural equilibrium and interconnectedness with the environment that native plants and traditional wisdom represent. The monochrome design, accented with subtle color, further enhances this message by providing a contemporary yet timeless feel that links past traditions to modern sensibilities, reinforcing the brand's commitment to honoring and celebrating indigenous heritage.

The social impact mission of Heti significantly influenced our design choices by driving us to create visuals that respectfully and authentically represent the indigenous cultures we aim to support. The monochrome palette with thoughtful touches of color was selected to reflect the depth and nuance of indigenous art in a way that is modern yet timeless. This choice underscores the idea of giving back and nurturing, mirroring the brand’s commitment to enhancing wealth, security, and health in tribal communities. Our visual storytelling incorporates traditional elements and narrative techniques to celebrate indigenous culture, ensuring the design not only communicates Heti's mission but also honors the community it serves.

The name "Heti," meaning "Home" in Dakota, reflects the deep connection indigenous people feel with the forest and wild plants, which are seen as an integral part of their home and identity. Understanding this cultural perspective led us to infuse the branding with elements that echo this profound sense of belonging—using native plant illustrations and Dakota art motifs to emphasize the concept that these natural elements are not just resources, but part of the cultural and spiritual fabric of indigenous life. My design choices celebrate this worldview, aiming to create packaging that feels like a tribute to the natural home these communities cherish.

The international perspective gained through the eight-month development process for Heti was enriched by working closely with the brand owner, an indigenous descendant. Her insights were invaluable in authentically representing North American indigenous culture in a contemporary context. Our collaboration included two insightful meetings in Paris, where we delved deeply into cultural nuances, ensuring the brand resonated genuinely with its roots. This cross-cultural dialogue fostered a design that blends international sensibilities with a deep respect for indigenous heritage, creating a beverage brand that celebrates cultural identity while appealing to global audiences.

Adapting intricate geometric patterns and illustrations to the 12 oz can format for Heti posed unique challenges due to its long, narrow shape. Ensuring that each element sat beautifully required meticulous attention to detail, working millimeter by millimeter. The importance of white space guided the design process, helping to maintain balance and harmony on a limited canvas. Despite the dimensional constraints, I focused on creating an elegant layout that allows the geometric and artistic details to shine without overwhelming the design.

To ensure that Heti's modern vector-based design elements honored and accurately represented Dakota artistic traditions, we immersed ourselves in the study of Dakota art. We deconstructed their visual language into its smallest elements, understanding the principles and motifs that define it. By doing so, we ensured that even our small and minimal illustrations maintain the essence of Dakota art through symmetry and geometric forms. These designs share the same foundational shapes, enabling them to authentically reflect the indigenous artistic traditions while adapting seamlessly to a modern context. This careful consideration allowed us to create packaging that is both contemporary and deeply respectful of cultural heritage.

The creative process involved extracting key characteristics of these plants, such as leaves or petals, and reinterpreting them into basic geometric shapes that still conveyed their essence. By focusing on symmetry and structure, we ensured that each illustration highlighted the inherent balance and harmony of nature. This method allowed us to celebrate the beauty and richness of native plants through the lens of indigenous art principles, marrying the organic with the geometric in a way that preserves their botanical identity.

Heti Branding And Packaging contributes to evolving conversations about cultural representation by raising awareness of indigenous wisdom and aesthetics in contemporary design. By thoughtfully integrating traditional elements with modern sensibilities, it highlights the richness of indigenous culture. Moreover, its mission to give back to underserved communities underscores the importance of socially conscious design practices.

Heti is a pioneer in highlighting indigenous plants in beverage branding. I believe this innovative approach will inspire more brands to follow, integrating authentic cultural elements and committing to social responsibility in their designs, thereby enriching the industry’s diversity and impact, inspiring a broader industry shift towards meaningful, culturally respectful designs that give back.

The visual identity was intended to be sensitive, respectful and considerate, reflecting the brand’s inclusive character. The concept was born from the idea of strong nature: we called it “simplicity inspired resilience.” As the patterns of nature hints us to consistency, strength and growth, the branding aims to pass these messages through affirmations and minimal design approach.

The branding features linear layouts and lean typography with a touch of hand-drawn personality. Combined with natural patterns, the frames support the brand’s feelings of growth and resilience. Illustrations focus on the patterns of nature, demonstrating how repetition and resilience results in success.

Young adults who are dealing with mental health issues have strong feelings: they want to be understood, and they’re very sensitive. So, you wouldn’t want to give them something that doesn’t feel real and intimate. Nature was the biggest inspiration as it is always there; life passes by it, and nature stays there—strong, but not overwhelmingly in your face. Nature gives you power and support on a deeper level.

The most challenging aspect of the project—as it usually is with such brands—was to reflect Dreavita’s abstract characteristics and find a way to connect with the audience. I wanted to come up with a concept different from your usual self-growth brands to create an identity that feels genuinely intimate. By balancing out the fragile illustrations with a geometric and lean typography, the brand gives the feeling of subtle support.

I created three versions of the logo for Dreavita to be flexible to adapt in any graphic media and to underline the brand’s inclusivity. By doing that and creating a demonstrating logomotion video, brand achieved a real inclusive perception.

I went out and looked for nature's patterns where the repetition is more obvious such as tree trunk and animal's skin patterns. These visual elements shown on various different nature images strengthen the resilience idea.

The support of nature doesn’t overpower but empowers with the concept of calm resilience. It inspires you but lets you do the work, because at the end, it’s you that needs to find resilience and embrace a life filled with purpose.

By not overpowering but empowering the young adults, it's possible to create respectful designs. The support and inspiration that comes from nature is very subtle but strong. This helps creating a sensitive and considerate brand character.

Nature is a very deep inspiration source. Using this inspiration with minimal design choices and a strong color combination makes a difference. I believe any mental health company has an opportunity to find something to be inspired by in the nature.

I believe the key is understanding the audience. When you know how they will react to certain kind of tone and voice, you would be better able to design a sensitive identity.

Our approach to Ecohiny Branding aimed to break away from conventional sustainable product aesthetics by creating a playful visual language. By selecting a peach as the brand symbol, we tapped into a modern, cheeky association, emphasizing the product's fun nature. This innovative visual strategy highlights Ecohiny's commitment to sustainability while making the brand stand out with charisma and humor, finding a response in the target customer group

The deep blueish-green paired with peach in Ecohiny Branding was inspired by the need to break free from the typical bright green associated with eco-friendly products while still conveying sustainability. The blueish-green evokes a sense of freshness and nature, appealing to environmentally conscious consumers, while peach introduces an element of playfulness that aligns with the brand's quirky personality. This distinct combination resonates with our target audience, who values both sustainability and a fun, modern brand experience, fulfilling their expectations for an eco-friendly product that stands out from the rest.

The decision to diverge from the standard bright green tones was strategic, aiming to carve a distinct identity for Ecohiny in a saturated market. By choosing a deep blueish-green and peach palette, we created a visually unique brand that challenges traditional norms. While this approach risked alienating consumers who associate green with eco-friendliness, the reward is significant: a memorable and differentiated brand that captures attention, engages consumers, and conveys a fresh perspective on sustainability. This strategy aligns with the modern consumer's desire for innovation and personality, offering Ecohiny an opportunity to build strong brand recognition and loyalty.

To balance Ecohiny's playful identity with its serious environmental message, we were intentional in our design choices. While the brand elements like the peach symbol and unique color palette introduce fun and playfulness, they are anchored by the product’s strong eco-friendly credentials, such as its use of 100% organic bamboo and fully recyclable packaging. We incorporated clear, accessible information about these sustainable features on the packaging, ensuring transparency and reinforcing the environmental benefits. Additionally, the modern sans-serif typeface and clean design layout enhance readability and underline the product's commitment to sustainability, integrating fun with a responsible message.

To maintain brand consistency across various materials for the Ecohiny Branding project, we paid meticulous attention to color matching during production. We began by establishing a precise color palette with clearly defined Pantone references to ensure uniformity. Working closely with suppliers, we conducted tests on different substrates to observe how colors appeared in real-world conditions, allowing for adjustments as needed. Calibration of printing equipment was another crucial step, ensuring that hues were consistent whether on packaging, promotional materials, or digital platforms. Regular quality checks throughout the production process ensured that the colors remained true to the original design, maintaining the cohesive visual identity that the brand demanded.

The digital retail environment significantly influenced the design decisions for Ecohiny Branding by emphasizing the need for clear, impactful visuals and concise communication of features. In e-commerce, consumers often make quick decisions based on how a product presents itself visually. Therefore, we prioritized a minimalist design that highlights key product features prominently, ensuring they are instantly recognizable and easy to read on digital screens. This approach helps to capture consumer attention in the crowded online marketplace. Additionally, we optimized the design for scalability, ensuring that all elements remain clear and compelling across different devices and screen sizes, enhancing the overall user experience and reinforcing brand credibility.

During the year-long development of Ecohiny Branding, several pivotal moments and iterations were crucial in shaping the final design. Initially, gathering insights during the research phase highlighted the common use of bright green in the industry, which led us to select a distinctive color palette. A significant iteration occurred during focus group testing, where feedback indicated that while the vibrant colors were engaging, additional clarity on the eco-friendly attributes was needed, prompting us to enhance the visibility of product features. Another key moment was refining the minimalist aesthetic to ensure maximum visual impact on digital platforms, which involved multiple rounds of adjustments to simplify and emphasize essential elements.

In Ecohiny Branding, the choice of a modern sans-serif typeface was strategic to reflect simplicity and approachability. The clean lines and straightforward design of the font align with the brand's playful yet professional personality, making it suitable for conveying a sense of trust and reliability. This typeface choice ensures legibility, which is crucial across various touchpoints, especially on digital platforms where quick readability is key. By featuring the product name prominently in a large font, we strengthened brand recognition, ensuring it catches the eye on platforms like Amazon. Overall, the typography supports effective communication by harmonizing with the brand’s visual elements, reinforcing Ecohiny's contemporary and eco-friendly identity while facilitating clear and engaging consumer interactions.

To balance Ecohiny's eco-credentials with modern appeal, we used natural motifs such as real bamboo in the product photos and brand communication while ensuring key features like "100% organic bamboo" were prominent. Sleek typography and contemporary graphics conveyed modernity. These were consistent across channels, enhancing both appeal and recognition. This approach communicated sustainability clearly and created an engaging, fresh brand identity for eco-conscious consumers.

The Ecohiny Branding approach could influence sustainable product branding by demonstrating how to balance eco-credentials with modern appeal. It highlights the importance of clear communication and engaging design to attract eco-conscious consumers. Designers can learn to prioritize transparent messaging of sustainable attributes while maintaining a fresh, approachable aesthetic. Emphasizing consistency across various platforms and using distinctive visuals can also set a brand apart in the sustainability market.