Mariana and her team were fantastic to work with. Responsive, understanding, and organized. Most importantly the quality of the work is exceptional. I am tremendously proud to be represented by the branding that Design Etiquette created for my business.
Brandon Chillingworth — Hacked BD
Attention Is Not The New Gold
— Attention Is Not The New Gold — Attention Is Not The New Gold
Branding, Brand Identity, Strategy
Attention Is Not The New Gold
Most people are playing the wrong game.
They think it’s about attention.
It’s not.
It’s about perception.
Because attention without perception is useless.
You can get thousands of eyes on your brand…
but if the perception is wrong, that gold turns into lead.
Over the years I’ve worked with many companies at different stages.
Some start from zero.
Others already have a visual identity.
And in many cases, when I look at what they already have, I can’t help but think:
Is this actually bringing them clients?
The logo looks generic.
The website is unclear.
The brand identity looks like a half-finished version of something they saw on Pinterest.
And the uncomfortable truth is this:
In some niches, you can get away with bad design.
If you ask most marketers, they might even say that sometimes ugly converts better.
But in others?
Design is non-negotiable.
If you’re in SaaS, Web3, or consumer brands, design isn’t a nice-to-have.
It’s the entry ticket.
Because good design is good perception.
And perception and attention should go hand in hand.
Strong branding warms people up before you ever speak to them.
A weak one creates friction before trust even has a chance.
But design works at a primal level.
It triggers a yes or a no in seconds.
Before logic.
Before pricing.
Before features.
That’s the perception game.
Attention gets you seen.
Perception gets you chosen.
——-
If you’re building a brand and feel your visual identity isn’t creating the right perception, feel free to reach out.
Strong perception is rarely accidental. It is designed.
Mariana and her team were fantastic to work with. Responsive, understanding, and organized. Most importantly the quality of the work is exceptional. I am tremendously proud to be represented by the branding that Design Etiquette created for my business.
Brandon Chillingworth — Hacked BD
Simplicity Scales While Complexity Fails
— Simplicity Scales While Complexity Fails — Simplicity Scales While Complexity Fails
Branding, Brand Identity, Strategy
Why Simplicity Scales, But Complexity Fails
Ever feel like the simplest things are the hardest to execute?
I’ve been thinking a lot about simplicity: creating systems, refining processes, and making things leaner.
Here’s the truth: Especially in branding, simplicity is everything.
The Problem?
Branding often starts with overwhelming amounts of data: market research, brand strategy, business goals… the list goes on. At first glance, it can be a messy pile of information.
The Insight:
A good branding team will take all this complexity and distill it into something simple and digestible. But we go a step further. We take this distilled information and design brands that are both simple and strategically aligned with the market.
But here’s where it gets tricky: Simplicity is deceiving.
Even as an experienced brand designer, I’ve found myself thinking, “That brand looks so simple, it must’ve been easy to create.” But when I dig into it, I realize just how much work went into making it feel effortless.
Think of it like watching an athlete run through an obstacle course. From the outside, it seems like a breeze. But behind that effortless performance is years of training, research, and practice.
The Takeaway?
Simplicity requires mastery. It’s not about cutting corners. It’s about refining and perfecting a process until it feels effortless.
As Leonardo da Vinci said, “Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.”
So, the next time you see a simple, clean brand, remember: behind it is countless hours of strategy and design. True professionals make complex things feel easy.
——-
Get in touch if you’re ready to create your next branding project.
Mariana and her team were fantastic to work with. Responsive, understanding, and organized. Most importantly the quality of the work is exceptional. I am tremendously proud to be represented by the branding that Design Etiquette created for my business.
Brandon Chillingworth — Hacked BD
Break the Rules with Packaging Design
— Break the Rules with Packaging Design —Break the Rules with Packaging Design
Branding, Packaging Design, Strategy
Stop asking “What should my packaging look like?”
Start asking: “What is everyone else afraid to do?”
Packaging that stands out doesn’t happen by accident.
It happens when brands decide to start doing what everyone else isn’t.
It all begins with deep market research:
– What are your competitors doing?
– What do customers expect?
– What is deadly overused?
Then—break the pattern.
The brands that disrupt their market aren’t the ones who blend in…
They’re the ones willing to walk the fine line of risky business.
Here are a few brands that ignored the rules and built a category of their own:
RXBAR
In a niche cluttered with “performance” claims, RXBAR chose simplicity.
Their packaging lists the core ingredients on the front. That’s it.
A design so simple it looks like it could have been made in Canva—but it works.
Result: They grew from ~$2 million to ~$160 million in revenue, and were later acquired by Kellogg’s for ~$600 million.
Graza
Olive oil is traditionally all about glass bottles, dark labels, and gold foils.
Graza zigged when everyone else zagged:
Squeeze bottles, bold type, playful illustrations.
I’m not sure if Nonna would be proud, but Graza generated over $4 million in sales in its first year, jumped to nearly $20 million by end of year two, and is now projected to reach $48 million in 2024.
Cloud 23
In a category full of flames, chilis, and skulls, Cloud 23 flipped the script.
The bottles—created by Brooklyn Beckham—look like luxury perfume, not hot sauce.
The brand leans into “every meal = celebration” rather than “burn your tongue” heat.
It’s a product you display in your kitchen, not hide in your pantry.
Who Gives A Crap
Turning toilet paper from zero to hero is genius. They donate 50% of their profits to water, sanitation & hygiene causes globally. Using modern graphics, a bold name, and a great brand story, they have turned their company into a brand generating £45.5 million in revenue in 2024.
Each one of these brands took a risk.
Each one broke a rule.
And each one built a brand people talk about.
If you want your packaging to stand out, design bravely.
Design with intention.
Mariana and her team were fantastic to work with. Responsive, understanding, and organized. Most importantly the quality of the work is exceptional. I am tremendously proud to be represented by the branding that Design Etiquette created for my business.
Brandon Chillingworth — Hacked BD
Why Every Business Needs a Brandverse
— Why Every Business Needs a Brandverse — Why Every Business Needs a Brandverse
Branding, Brand Identity, Strategy
Let’s talk about something that goes beyond logos, packaging, or even products. Something that transforms the way people experience your business: the concept of a Brandverse.
What is a Brandverse?
Technically, “Brandverse” is a concept I made up, but it captures something essential in branding and business.
A Brandverse is your brand’s universe, a world where every element: from visual identity and web design to messaging and customer touchpoints, works together to create a seamless, immersive experience.
Think of it this way: every brand has touchpoints. These are the moments when a customer interacts with you, whether through ads, social media, packaging, or your website. But when those touchpoints are connected and designed with intention, they don’t just communicate, they transport your audience into a world they want to belong to.
Why It Matters
When done right, a Brandverse goes far beyond traditional branding. It builds loyalty, strengthens your brand identity, and transforms casual buyers into dedicated fans. It creates a customer experience that feels more like an experience than a transaction.
Imagine it like a movie: your brand is the main character, and your customers are not just supporting roles, they’re part of the adventure. Your branding, website design, and marketing strategy are all tools to bring that story to life.
Let’s explore a few brands that have mastered the art of creating unforgettable Brandverses. Can you guess who they are?
Example 01:
Imagine stepping into a bright, modern world where tech gadgets steal the spotlight. Sleek devices take center stage, while knowledgeable staff in blue shirts act as your helpful sidekicks. The space feels obsessively clean, free of distractions, and even offers workshops to help you master their products. The checkout process? So seamless, you’ve just spent $2,500 in seconds, and you’re thrilled about it. You are in an Apple store, and this is their Brandverse.
Example 02:
The smell of freshly brewed coffee and baked cookies wraps around you like a cozy blanket. They want to know your name, and when things take a little longer, they make it up to you with a free cupcake. You grab your laptop and sit in a cozy spot where no one bothers you, just the quiet hum of ambient music. You feel pampered. Welcome to the Starbucks Brandverse.
Example 03:
You step into a magical kingdom. You see castles, smell cotton candy, and hear laughter everywhere. Each corner offers its own enchanting experience, from fairy tale lands to thrilling adventures. You’re surrounded by countless stores, each offering the coolest things and tastiest treats. Everywhere you look, people are enjoying themselves and taking photos with their childhood favorite characters. You’re having an amazing day! You’re at Disney World, the ultimate Brandverse.
Example 04 / Bonus:
You’ve clicked into a visually stunning website. It’s filled with amazing photos, easy to navigate, and gives you a warm feeling in your stomach. The shopping process is effortless. But the real magic happens a few days later, when you unbox your order and find unexpected little gifts, like stickers and postcards. You can feel the love from Rifle Paper Co.
I chose this bonus example as a reminder that not every Brandverse needs a physical space, and you don’t need to be a massive company. Rifle Paper Co. proves this with its online presence and thoughtful product experience. They’ve mastered the art of Brandverse building, aka branding.
These brands demonstrate that a strong brand experience isn’t just about big budgets—it’s about details that make your customers feel special.
How to Build Your Own Brandverse
Not every business has Apple or Disney’s resources, but any brand can take steps to create a more immersive and memorable experience. Here are some actionable ways to start shaping your Brandverse:
-
Unify your brand identity: Make sure your logo, typography, and visuals are consistent across your website, packaging, and social media.
-
Invest in web design: Your website is often the first stop in your Brandverse. Keep it responsive, user-friendly, and aligned with your brand’s story.
-
Personalize interactions: From knowing your customers’ names to thoughtful packaging, small details build emotional connections.
-
Listen to customer feedback: A great Brandverse evolves with its audience. Adapt and improve based on real insights.
-
Have a recovery plan: Mistakes happen, but a thoughtful gesture (like Starbucks’ free cupcake) can turn problems into loyalty-building moments.
A Brandverse isn’t just about selling products; it’s about creating an unforgettable experience that customers want to return to again and again.
Ask yourself: is your brand just a product, or is it a whole universe your customers want to be a part of? Remember that every interaction is an opportunity to enhance your Brandverse.
Mariana and her team were fantastic to work with. Responsive, understanding, and organized. Most importantly the quality of the work is exceptional. I am tremendously proud to be represented by the branding that Design Etiquette created for my business.
Brandon Chillingworth — Hacked BD
The Beatles, Branding & Lasting Impact
— The Beatles, Branding & Lasting Impact — The Beatles, Branding & Lasting Impact
Branding, Brand Identity, Strategy
Imagine waking up in a world where The Beatles never existed. No ‘Hey Jude,’ no ‘Let It Be,’ no Abbey Road crosswalk photo.
Jack is a struggling singer from the UK. One day, he wakes up to find the world in total chaos after a solar flash sends civilization into panic.
That afternoon, he grabs his guitar and meets his friends for a Sunday picnic in the park. He starts singing:
“Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away,
Now it looks as though they’re here to stay…”
His friends stare at him, shocked. That’s the best song he has ever written. Tears start running down their cheeks as he finishes.
Jack laughs, thinking they’re being sarcastic, until he realizes they’re dead serious. They have no idea who John, Paul, George, or Ringo are.
As the days pass, he discovers that the solar flash has erased parts of everyday life. He now lives in an alternate world where Coca-Cola doesn’t exist. You can go to a Coldplay concert, but Oasis? That’s just water in the desert. And The Beatles? They were never a band.
So Jack starts recreating their songs from memory. Half-finished versions of Hey Jude, Yellow Submarine, and Let It Be become his songs.
This is the premise of Yesterday, a film that imagines a world without the Liverpool legends. It’s funny, smart, and leaves you thinking long after it’s over.
Ask yourself: What person, brand, or experience has made your life better? The one that, if erased in some alternate dimension, would leave a noticeable void?
I have my favorite people and brands; the ones I read, listen to, or engage with every day. And then there are a select few I’d truly miss if they disappeared. Life just wouldn’t be as exciting without them.
For many in Yesterday, that was The Beatles. Life just sounded better with their songs.
This movie made me wonder: What impact are we leaving on this world?
Are you influencing someone, even just 1%, the way The Beatles did? Whose life are you making better? Who would genuinely feel your absence?
And in business terms, is your brand or product truly making a difference in people’s lives?
Because that’s what we should all strive for, creating something so meaningful, so impactful, that if it disappeared, people would actually miss it.
That’s the power of great creativity.
Mariana and her team were fantastic to work with. Responsive, understanding, and organized. Most importantly the quality of the work is exceptional. I am tremendously proud to be represented by the branding that Design Etiquette created for my business.
Brandon Chillingworth — Hacked BD
Is Your Brand a Gordon Ramsay Meme?
— Is Your Brand Turning Into a Gordon Ramsay Meme? — Is Your Brand Turning Into a Gordon Ramsay Meme?
Branding, Brand Identity, Strategy
Doing this is the quickest way to destroy your brand and the slowest way to grow your business:
Creating a brand isn’t just about creating a logo or putting together a website. It’s about crafting an unforgettable story, building brand awareness, and creating a connection with your audience.
But here’s where many businesses go wrong: They invest thousands into creating their brand identity, only to hand off their brand’s management to someone who doesn’t fully understand what they’re doing.
Think of branding like high-end cooking.
You hire a world-star chef like Gordon Ramsay to craft a perfectly cooked 5-star Michelin dish, then you hand the recipe off to someone who lacks the skill and knowledge, like your friend from highschool who thinks he’s a chef because he cooks BBQ every Sunday afternoon.
Even though he has the recipe, the dish is a complete fail. It doesn’t have the right flavors, the presentation is sloppy. The magic? Gone. That’s what happens when a business hands off its brand to someone who doesn’t understand design and marketing fundamentals.
When a low-skilled designer takes over a brand, the core identity gets diluted. You’ll start noticing fonts that were never in your brand book, colors that seem just a little off, (believe it or not, there is a ton of technical skills that go into color management) and visuals that scream ‘DIY.’ Suddenly, the polished, cohesive brand you invested in starts feeling cheap, like a five-star meal that’s turned into a Gordon Ramsay meme.
Consistency is everything in branding. Making this gap in skillset your brand’s nemesis.
When you maintain a consistent identity, customers begin to trust you, and that trust builds loyalty. A great branding agency creates a comprehensive style guide that defines everything from colors to tone of voice to design principles. When you have a solid guide, your branding team can stay on track, and your business can continue to evolve without losing its identity.
To keep your initial brand identity and strategy from falling into oblivion, here are a few actions you can take:
- Build a crystal-clear style guide with your agency, a.k.a your brand book. A brand book isn’t just a document; it’s your brand’s bible. It ensures that everyone, internally and externally, is on the same page.
- Train your team on your brand’s ‘dos’ and ‘don’ts.’ Ensure everyone knows how to speak and present your brand consistently.
- Keep your branding team close. Invest in the best professionals that fit your budget, and keep them on retainer for as long as possible. A long-term partnership ensures your brand stays consistent, evolves with your business, and thrives.
Your brand is your business’s first impression. Don’t let shortcuts or budgets destroy the investment you’ve made.
What’s your biggest challenge with keeping your branding consistent? Let’s talk.
Mariana and her team were fantastic to work with. Responsive, understanding, and organized. Most importantly the quality of the work is exceptional. I am tremendously proud to be represented by the branding that Design Etiquette created for my business.
Brandon Chillingworth — Hacked BD
10 Branding Tips for Business Growth
— 10 Branding Tips for Business Growth — 10 Branding Tips for Business Growth
Branding, Brand Identity, Strategy
This took me 14 years as a brand designer to learn, I’ll teach it to you in 3 minutes.
Branding is constantly evolving, but there are certain principles that will always hold true. After 14 years of building brands and seeing what works, I’ve wrote down the most important elements of successful branding. If you’re looking to build a strong, memorable brand, here’s what you need to know:
1. Clarity Is King:
Your brand needs to be clear and easy to understand for your audience. If people don’t get it, they won’t buy it.
- Be clear on your offer: Make sure your audience knows exactly what you’re selling.
- Keep things simple: Don’t overcomplicate your messaging.
- Create systems: Simplify your processes to help customers quickly understand how to engage with you.
- Make your marketing straightforward: Focus on simplicity to boost your impact.
2. Make Your Offer Irresistible:
Your offer should feel like a no-brainer, making it impossible for your audience to say no.
- Sell the dream outcome, not just your service: Focus on the result you provide, not just the features.
- Use guarantees to minimize risk: Make customers feel safe to take action.
- Stack bonuses to amplify value: Offer extra perks that make the deal even better.
- Make buying frictionless: Remove any barriers to purchase.
3. Know Your Customer:
Building a brand is much easier when you truly understand who you’re speaking to.
- Get to know them by asking questions: Take the time to understand your audience’s needs and desires.
- Identify their biggest pain points: Understand what keeps them up at night.
- Speak their language: Use language and messaging that resonates with them.
- Solve their problems better than the competition: Show how your brand can uniquely meet their needs.
4. Start with Strategy:
Without a solid strategy, your brand will lack direction and focus.
- Define your brand’s positioning and unique value: What sets you apart from competitors?
- Understand your market: Know the trends and the competition.
- Set clear goals for growth: Establish measurable objectives for your brand.
- Build a brand that drives results: Focus on outcomes that contribute to long-term success.
5. Your Brand Identity Is Not Just a Logo:
Your logo is just the start. Your brand is much deeper and more complex.
- Create a complete visual identity: Color, typography, patterns, marketing assets.
- Define your brand’s personality: What values does your brand embody?
- Maintain consistency across all communication: Whether it’s on your website, social media, or packaging, stay aligned.
- Focus on user experience, not just visuals: Your brand should feel right at every touchpoint.
6. You Need 7 Touchpoints Before Making a Sale:
Building trust takes time. On average, you need several interactions before a customer is ready to buy.
- Show up consistently across multiple platforms: Be where your audience is, consistently.
- Educate users about your brand: Provide value through informative content.
- Facts tell, but stories sell: Nowadays storytelling is everything.
- Nurture leads until they’re ready to buy: Stay connected and keep building trust.
7. Branding Is the Act of Building a Brand:
Branding is a continuous process. It’s not just something you do once and forget about—it’s an ongoing effort.
- Build relationships: Your brand is about people, not just products.
- Create an emotional connection with your audience: The best brands evoke feelings and loyalty.
- Deliver a consistent experience every time: From first contact to repeat business, consistency is key.
- Invest in long-term brand value: Branding is an investment in the future of your business.
8. Consistency Builds Trust:
Your audience needs to see and hear the same message repeatedly to build trust.
- Stay consistent in your messaging and design: Everything should align with your brand.
- Show up regularly: Your audience needs to see you frequently to build recognition.
- Reinforce your brand values in everything you do: Make sure your actions match your words.
- Keep delivering on your promises: Trust comes from reliability.
9. Mindset Is Everything:
Your beliefs shape your success.
- Confidence attracts clients: Show up with belief in what you offer.
- Learn from failures and keep going: Every setback is an opportunity to grow.
- Surround yourself with positive people: Build a network of like-minded individuals who encourage growth.
- Take action every day: Momentum compounds over time.
10. Rebranding Can Be the Answer to Business Growth:
A fresh brand identity can be the key to unlocking new opportunities.
- Resonate better with your ideal customers: Sometimes, a shift in messaging or visuals is all it takes.
- Adapt to the times: If your brand isn’t keeping up, it’s time for a change.
- Stand out in a crowded market: Rebranding helps you break through the noise.
- Reinvent your brand to reflect new values, goals, or offerings: Your brand should evolve as your business does.
Mariana and her team were fantastic to work with. Responsive, understanding, and organized. Most importantly the quality of the work is exceptional. I am tremendously proud to be represented by the branding that Design Etiquette created for my business.
Brandon Chillingworth — Hacked BD
Brand Colors for Health-Focused Brands
— Brand Colors for Health-Focused Brands — Brand Colors for Health-Focused Brands
Branding, Packaging, Strategy
Why Colors Matter for Health Brands: A Guide to Choosing the Right Palette
When it comes to branding for health brands, colors are more than just an aesthetic choice — they play a powerful role in shaping how customers feel about your brand. In fact, the colors you choose can influence perceptions and even build trust, especially if your brand focuses on health, wellness, or natural products.
Why Color Matters for Health Brands
Health brands have a unique mission: to communicate trust, cleanliness, and commitment to natural or high-quality ingredients. Choosing a color palette that resonates with these values is essential for creating an emotional connection with health-conscious customers.
While typical food brands might use bold colors like reds, yellows, and oranges to create a sense of energy or excitement, these colors are often associated with heavily processed or fast foods. Health brands usually go in a different direction to highlight their focus on wellness and purity.
Best Colors for Health Brands
So, what colors should health brands use? Here are some popular choices and the messages they convey:
- Greens: Green is a popular choice for health brands because it represents nature, freshness, and health. This color can help communicate that your brand uses natural ingredients or promotes sustainability.
- Earth Tones: Browns, beiges, and other earthy colors are also common in branding for health brands. These tones convey simplicity, wholesomeness, and a close connection to nature.
- Soft Blues and Whites: For brands in the wellness or medical space, soft blues and whites can add a sense of calm, purity, and professionalism.
How Colors and Typography Work Together
Beyond color, the typography and packaging for health brands also play a key role. Where regular food products might use bold, chunky typography, health brands often benefit from more delicate, clean typefaces that convey simplicity and authenticity.
By combining a soft color palette with subtle typography, your brand can create a cohesive look that communicates trustworthiness, aligns with health-conscious values, and makes your products easily recognizable on the shelf.
Tips for Creating Impactful Packaging for Health Brands
- Prioritize Color Psychology: Choose colors that reflect the values of your health brand. Think about the feelings you want to evoke in your customers — calmness, purity, and trustworthiness are great goals for health brands.
- Consider Your Audience: Health-conscious consumers are looking for brands they can trust. Using natural tones and simple design elements in your packaging can make your brand feel more genuine.
- Consistency is Key: Be consistent with your color choices across all branding, from packaging to website and social media. This creates a recognizable brand identity that builds trust over time.
In today’s market, branding for health brands goes beyond the product itself — it’s about creating an experience and a relationship with your audience. By carefully selecting the right colors and packaging elements, health brands can connect with their target customers, build loyalty, and stand out in a crowded market.
Need help with color selection or packaging for your health brand? Our team can help create a unique brand identity that resonates with your audience and sets you apart.
Mariana and her team were fantastic to work with. Responsive, understanding, and organized. Most importantly the quality of the work is exceptional. I am tremendously proud to be represented by the branding that Design Etiquette created for my business.
Brandon Chillingworth — Hacked BD
When To Rebrand
— When To Rebrand — When To Rebrand— When To Rebrand
Branding, Strategy, Business
Did you know that a rebrand can make or break your brand?
A brand redesign is a significant step. Here are some reasons why your business might need a rebrand or brand refresh:
1. Poorly Executed Brand Identity:
Maybe you didn’t invest in a high-quality brand identity from the start, or perhaps the designer or studio you worked with missed the mark. Now that your brand is more established and generating revenue, it might be time to hire a skilled professional to redesign your brand identity.
Ex: Starbucks
Starbucks’ logo was such an ugly baby that the company decided to simplify and modernize it in 1987, transforming the siren into a cleaner, less-detailed image. They also chose their famous green color to stand out in a market full of browns. This evolution helped Starbucks align with modern aesthetics and appeal to a broader audience.
2. Outdated Brand Image:
Brand identities should be timeless, but if yours feels outdated, it’s time for a refresh to stay relevant and modern.
Ex: Firefox
Mozilla Firefox’s logo had been tweaked slightly over the years, but by 2019, the classic fox circling the globe began to look outdated, especially with the rise of flat design trends. The company rebranded with a more abstract, simplified version of the logo, retaining the essence of the fox but using bold, vibrant colors that better fit modern design aesthetics.
3. Expansion or Diversification:
If your business expands into new markets or offers new products/services, rebranding can help communicate these changes effectively.
Ex: Amazon
Amazon started in 1994 as an online bookstore, with a logo that reflected its focus on books. However, as the company expanded into selling a wide range of products—from electronics to groceries—and eventually evolved into a global e-commerce giant, a rebrand was necessary. In 2000, Amazon introduced its now-famous logo featuring an arrow curving from the “A” to the “Z,” symbolizing the company’s shift to selling “everything from A to Z.”, reflecting its growing product diversity.
4. Mergers or Acquisitions:
After a merger or acquisition, rebranding can help unify the brand identity of the new business. This process goes beyond aesthetic changes, aiming to establish a new brand that resonates with customers, employees, and stakeholders.
Ex: Meta
Facebook rebranded as Meta in 2021 to signify its shift from being just a social media company to focusing on building the metaverse. This change unified the company’s different platforms (Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, etc.) under one new identity.
5. Negative Perception:
If your brand has faced negative publicity or has gained a bad reputation, rebranding can help rebuild trust and improve perception. It’s a dirty move, but someone’s gotta do it.
Ex: Uber
After facing negative publicity due to internal issues and public controversies, Uber rebranded in 2018 with a new, friendlier logo and visual identity.
6. Innovation or Evolution:
As your business grows & adapts, there might be changes in your offerings or values.
Ex: Apple
Although Apple hasn’t drastically changed its logo, the brand has consistently refreshed its identity to match its evolution as a tech innovator. From the rainbow-colored apple to a sleeker monochrome design, the brand reflects modernity and cutting-edge innovation as it continues to grow.
7. Changes in Name:
Whether you are changing your business name because it is difficult to pronounce, or because of Trademark conflict, a change in your brand identity is needed.
Ex: Kit
Recently, ConvertKit changed its name to simply ‘Kit,’ which I believe will benefit the brand immensely. The name change reflects their evolution from an email marketing tool into a broader creator-focused platform. Alongside the new name, they launched a refreshed brand identity that looks more modern and friendly, aligning perfectly with their mission to empower creators with simple and effective tools.
Mariana and her team were fantastic to work with. Responsive, understanding, and organized. Most importantly the quality of the work is exceptional. I am tremendously proud to be represented by the branding that Design Etiquette created for my business.
Brandon Chillingworth — Hacked BD
Key Traits That Set Great Coffee Brands Apart
— Key Traits That Set Great Coffee Brands Apart — Key Traits That Set Great Coffee Brands Apart
Branding, Packaging, Business
Ever since its origins, coffee has become one of the world’s favorite drinks, and the most consumed next to water. The global coffee market is huge, with millions of people involved in its production, trade, and retail. Your local supermarket is filled with different varieties: whole bean, ground, light roast, dark roast, and production processes: honey, anaerobic, and natural. You can find a coffee shop in any city around the world, with different prices and experiences: the good, the bad, and the ugly.
Some people might argue that coffee is the perfect drug because of its dependency cycle: we drink it to wake up, it disrupts our sleep cycle, so we need it again the next morning. Others suggest that drinking coffee reduces the risk of certain diseases like Parkinson’s, Alzheimer, and type 2 diabetes. Love it or hate it, it is a profitable industry valued at approximately $100 billion per year worldwide.
Just like wine, the best coffee is the one you like. But how do you figure out which coffee to try out? For me, I always go for the one with the best packaging design—same goes for wine. This might not be the best selection method, but that’s how my designer brain works. And I bet a lot of people think the same way!
The way we brand coffee has changed a lot in recent years. Traditional colors, hand-drawn illustrations, and watercolor images of mountains and nature—like the ones that used to hang in your grandma’s living room—have been replaced by modern illustrations, sophisticated typography, and minimalism.
If you’re thinking about starting a coffee-related business, whether it’s a coffee shop or a B2C coffee roasting venture, there are some key traits to consider when developing your brand identity and packaging design:
1. Modern Design:
Coffee branding often embraces minimalism, featuring clean, uncluttered designs emphasizing simplicity. Whether vibrant or muted, the key is elegance and clarity.
2. Creative Illustrations & Graphics:
Custom artwork with original illustrations or graphics can set your brand apart and tell a compelling story.
3. Typography:
Typography plays a crucial role in shaping your brand identity. The best coffee packaging design uses stylish and modern fonts that enhance readability and convey the brand’s personality.
4. Badges & Logo Versatility:
Contemporary coffee brands often use a range of badges and logos to represent their identity. While a primary logotype is essential, incorporating additional badges—often inspired by vintage coffee shops—can create a unique and versatile brand image.
5. Transparency & Storytelling:
Providing detailed information about the coffee’s origin, flavor profile, and brewing instructions creates a meaningful experience for coffee drinkers. Each story adds value and connection to every cup.
6. Innovative Features:
Interactive elements, such as QR codes or augmented reality, offer additional information about the brand and enhance consumer interaction. These features create a more immersive relationship with your product.
7. Sustainable Packaging:
More and more brands are setting themselves apart by using sustainable packaging materials, and eco-friendly practices that will improve their product and its impact.
8. Seasonality:
Special packaging for seasonal or limited-edition products creates exclusivity and appeal. This is a great way to boost sales by offering your customers a newance outside of the everyday line of products.
Staying ahead of trends and focusing on innovative design can set your coffee brand apart in a crowded market. Whether you want to create a unique identity that is both modern and simple or engage with your customers through storytelling and incredible packaging, these elements will spark consumer interest and drive more sales. Try to apply a couple of these traits, or all of them, on your next branding project.