Supreme Core
ROLE
Redesigning packaging to prevent potential claims of copyright infringement while retaining brand recognition shortly after the company’s launch.
Overview
CONTEXT
Supreme Core Cider placed their first batch of cider cans on the shelves of select boutique grocery stores in Washington, D.C. in 2019. Customers loved the cider as the packaging. Unfortunately, a number of customers thought Supreme Core is connected to Fort Point Brewery based on the packaging design.
CHALLENGE
They decided to pull remaining cans from the shelves and replace them with new packaging that defines the brand more clearly, reduces legal exposure to potential copyright lawsuits, and retains as much of the original label as possible to remain recognizable to their loyal customers. The challenge of this project was to make a packaging label that is "completely different yet exactly the same."
SOLUTION
I broke down the existing label to its core visual elements and recreated them based on art deco inspired outlines. It was important to keep both the Virginia mountains where the apples are sourced and the Key Bridge with Georgetown University buildings across. Most customers and vendors did not realize that the label had been changed. Additionally, I created a seasonal label for their winter batch of ginger-flavored cider.
Original Can
INSPIRATION
Four Point Beer's branding was the inspiration given to the first designer, among other examples in an art deco themed mood board.
"ORIGINAL" DESIGN
Supreme Core’s owners did not immediately realize that the can design resembled Four Point’s too closely as they had provided an art deco mood board and were busy placing their cider on store shelves.
Redesign
MICAWBER
My redesign recreates the art deco building blocks with new inspiration from the mountains in Virginia, the Key Bridge, and Georgetown University. Supreme Core’s owners were thrilled with the subtle DC flag at the base of the bridge.
GINGER BEARD MAN
The addition of the Ginger Beard Man illustration for their Holiday season was an additional design flourish that they then replaced with different seasonal elements.
The design elements carried over to future can designs.
