Zona Primary Function: Ukwakha Ibhrendi Nokupakisha by Cansu Dagbagli Ferreira

Zona Primary Function: Ukwakha Ibhrendi Nokupakisha by Cansu Dagbagli Ferreira is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 Umklomelo Wesiliva we-A' Design Award in Ukukhangisa Competition Category.

IsilivaUkukhangisa· 2026

Zona Primary Function: Ukwakha Ibhrendi Nokupakisha

by Cansu Dagbagli Ferreira

Client: Cansu Ferreira

Umklomelo Wesiliva we-A' Design Award Winner in Ukukhangisa Category

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The Design

About Zona Primary Function: Ukwakha Ibhrendi Nokupakisha

Book Text: I-Zona iyi-hard seltzer yokuqala e-Angola, exhumanisa ifa lendawo nokubukeka kwesimanje, ngokuhlanganisa ubunikazi bebhrendi obugqugquzelwa imithombo yase-Huambo nomfula i-Okavango. Umklamo ugxile ekubukekeni kwesimanje, okuqinile okusebenzisa amaphaleti asuselwa ezithelweni anombala owodwa kanye nezimpawu zejiyometri ukuze udonse ukunakwa. Ilogotype eyenziwe ngokwezifiso ihlanganisa ukuchitheka kwamanzi okufihlekile, okufanekisela ubunjalo bempilo nokugeleza kwemifula. Ngokuhlanganisa imibala egqamile nesakhiwo esihlanzekile, esisuselwa kokumhlophe, i-Zona inikeza okuhlangenwe nakho okubonakalayo okumusha, okuphakamisayo okugubha imvelaphi yayo ngeso elisha, eligxile ekuklameni.

The Recognition

About the Umklomelo Wesiliva we-A' Design Award

Zona Primary Function: Ukwakha Ibhrendi Nokupakisha iwinile uMklomelo Wesiliva we-A' Design Award, ukwaziswa okuhloniphekile ngokungajwayelekile okunikezwa imiklamo esezingeni eliphezulu, ebukekayo nethinta kakhulu. Abawinile beSiliva yimisebenzi egqamile kakhulu nedala kakhulu ebonisa ubungcweti obuphawulekayo, italente nobuhlakani babaklami babo. Zona Primary Function: Ukwakha Ibhrendi Nokupakisha ilindeleke ukuba ibe ngumsebenzi omuhle wesibonelo, onobungcweti obuphawulekayo nezinto ezintsha ezijulile. Lo mklamo owinile uMklomelo Wesiliva we-A' Design Award uyinto entsha ebonakala kakhulu nethakazelisayo esiza futhi isunduza imingcele yobuciko, isayensi, ukuklama nobuchwepheshe. Zona Primary Function: Ukwakha Ibhrendi Nokupakisha iyinto enomhawu omkhulu kuyo evusa izifiso, ilethe imizwa emihle futhi ivuse ukumangala nokuxakeka.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.

Unique Properties: Zona is the first hard seltzer brand of Angola, bridging local heritage with a contemporary aesthetic. The identity is defined by a "flow" concept, utilizing a hidden water splash symbol within the logotype. Each flavor is identified by a unique geometric icon and a monochromatic palette derived from the fruit's internal and external colors. This system creates a high-impact, clean look that communicates premium quality while remaining approachable and energetic for a young demographic.
Dimensions & Packaging: Aluminium 330 ml drink cans
Tags: drink, alcohol, colorful, cocktail, angola, fruits
Production Technology: Design printed directly on the cans with Pantone system inks.
Design Challenge: The primary challenge was introducing an entirely new product category: Hard Seltzer to a market while ensuring it felt authentically Angolan without relying on visual clichés. Balancing the constructive narrative of the brand's mission with the functional requirements of beverage packaging was critical. We overcame this by using the river metaphor, a symbol of life and unity, to create a sophisticated logotype and icon system that feels both globally competitive and deeply rooted in the local landscape of Huambo.
Research: Type: Market and Cultural Ethnographic Research. Objectives: To establish the first hard seltzer identity in the Angolan market. Methodology: Analysis of local fruit profiles and water-source symbolism. Tools: Color theory mapping and competitive visual audits. Participants: Local youth and community stakeholders. Results: Identified a gap for a wellness-oriented, low-alcohol beverage with local roots. Insights: Users preferred minimalist, non-busy designs that emphasize "freshness." Impact: The research influenced a visual language that promotes Angolan origins as a mark of premium quality.
Inspiration: The design is inspired by the life-giving springs of Huambo, which feed the Okavango River and sustain a diverse ecosystem. This "spirit of beginnings" and the concept of rivers as connectors served as the foundation for the brand. The geometric icons represent the structured yet fluid nature of water systems. Culturally, the brand draws from the vibrant energy of modern Angola, seeking to create a constructive and uplifting narrative that fosters positive community impact.
Project Duration: 6 months, Angola, USA and France
Operation Flow: The design process utilized a "Diverge and Converge" methodology to translate ecological concepts into a modern branding system. Initial sketches explored fluid river patterns, which were then refined into precise geometric symbols using Adobe Illustrator. A dual-tone color strategy was developed to ensure flavor distinction and shelf-standout. High-fidelity 3D renders were created in Adobe Dimension/Photoshop to simulate light-play on the metallic cans and test the visibility of the textured "a" logotype in real-world environments.