Iron Packaging Design · 2024
Judinstrom Beer Packaging
- A' Design Award 2024 Iron Winner in Packaging Design
- Awarded April 15, 2024
- CLIENT: SOTB and D
- Estimated Number of Design Views: 16,580
- Verification code BB75B605B1 · Verify this award
About Judinstrom Beer Packaging
Judinstrom Beer is a packaging design created for a craft brewery in Montreal, Canada. The packaging uses a standard 473 ml aluminium can, with a label measuring 5 by 8 inches printed by flexography. Scandinavian motifs are presented in a modern interpretation through flat graphic illustrations and a typeface with straight lines and angles. The colour palette combines deep blue, shades of grey and white. The minimalist layout keeps the brand name, beer type and alcohol content readable, while a shared visual core allows further beer styles to be added to the range.
Press Kit
- Unique Properties
- Judinstrom is a small craft brewery located in Montreal, QC Canada. Judinstrom Beer is brewed with respect to Belgian brewing traditions with notes of Ukrainian nature. Light barley, wheat, and caramel malts, along with modern hop varieties, create fruity and hoppy aromas in addition to a bright, balanced sweet, and dense body. Craft brewery Judinstrom produces beer of various styles with additions of spices, fruit purees, and other natural ingredients.
- Dimensions & Packaging
- Label size 5 x 8 inches.
- Tags
- Beer Packaging, Scandinavian design, Label, Craft brewery
- Production Technology
- Standard aluminum can 473 ml, Flexography.
- Design Challenge
- Working on creating a craft beer brand in a modern Scandinavian style requires careful planning and attention to detail to achieve the desired result. It is necessary to find the right balance between modern design and traditional Scandinavian motifs so that the packaging looks contemporary while still maintaining a connection to the region's cultural heritage. Defining a color palette that conveys characteristic traits of the Scandinavian style, such as coldness and restraint, can be challenging. It is important to coordinate graphic elements with text on the packaging in a way that ensures information is readable and does not detract from the overall visual impression.
- Project Duration
- The project started in June 2023 in Montreal, QC Canada and Finished in September 2023
- Operation Flow
- Over time, 6 more beer styles will be added to the lineup. Therefore, a minimalist design with a unified core was created, which, through changes in details and placement of associative items, will emphasize and intuitively distinguish each beer flavor. The logo serves as the visual foundation for the entire beer lineup, ensuring unity and brand recognition. The design is simple and clean to avoid distracting consumers from the main idea and to create a cohesive look for the beer lineup.
- Research
- The design incorporates deep blue, shades of gray, and white for contrast and highlighting details. This palette creates an atmosphere of coldness and resilience, characteristic of Scandinavia. Illustrations in a flat graphic style are used on the packaging, creating a minimalist design. A font with straight lines and angles is chosen to complement the graphic elements of the packaging. Additionally, information about the brand, beer type, alcohol content, etc., is placed on the packaging in a way that is readable and does not disrupt the overall design.
- Inspiration
- The Judinstrom brand was created from scratch to enter the Canadian beer market and elevate the status of a local brewery from Montreal. It also sought to cultivate a specific beer consumption culture and introduce consumers to different styles of the beverage. The task included creating a logo, visual elements, and packaging design for craft beer using Scandinavian motifs but in a modern interpretation.
Colors of Judinstrom Beer Packaging
Grand Interview about Judinstrom Beer Packaging
We aimed to combine Scandinavian aesthetics with minimalist modern design to convey a sense of heritage and purity. We used natural color palettes inspired by nature and incorporated symbolic elements that reflect the brand's identity, including legendary imagery and soft textures.
he deep blue and gray palette was inspired by the Nordic landscapes—majestic fjords, misty skies, and serene waters. These colors reflect the brand’s storytelling by emphasizing a sense of calm, strength, and connection to nature, aligning with the Scandinavian heritage and the craftmanship behind the product.
We approached this by highlighting shared values: craftsmanship, heritage, and authenticity. Scandinavian-inspired minimalism was paired with subtle nods to Ukrainian brewing traditions, like incorporating symbolic elementsю The result is a cohesive design that celebrates both cultures while appealing to a global audience.
We approached this by highlighting shared values: craftsmanship, heritage, and authenticity. Scandinavian-inspired minimalism was paired with subtle nods to Ukrainian brewing traditions, like incorporating symbolic elements. The result is a cohesive design that celebrates both cultures while appealing to a global audience.
We developed a modular design system where the core branding elements—logo, typography, and layout—remain consistent across all styles. To differentiate flavors, we introduced unique color accents and subtle illustration variations tied to each beer's character, ensuring both a cohesive brand identity and clear product distinction.
The key considerations were simplicity, symbolism, and functionality. We focused on clean lines and uncluttered layouts to reflect modern design, while integrating traditional Scandinavian motifs subtly, such as Nordic patterns and natural elements. This balance ensures the packaging feels timeless, authentic, and visually impactful.
Flexography and aluminum can specifications guided us to prioritize clean, bold elements and simplified details, ensuring clarity and precision during printing. We used high-contrast colors and avoided intricate patterns that might blur in flexo. Additionally, the design was tailored to fit the curvature and reflectivity of aluminum, enhancing visual impact while maintaining print consistency.
Our research focused on iconic Scandinavian visuals, such as nature-inspired patterns, minimalist geometric forms, and symbolic motifs like fjords and Viking heritage, while also incorporating key landmarks and landscapes of Kyiv to create a seamless blend of both cultural identities.
With the recognition from the A' Design Award, the design system can evolve by expanding its modular approach. Future product lines can incorporate new color palettes, illustrations, and symbols that reflect additional beer styles or cultural inspirations, while maintaining the core brand identity. This adaptability ensures consistency and allows the brand to grow without losing its distinctive visual language.
The font selection was guided by the need to reflect Scandinavian minimalism and precision while maintaining legibility across various formats. Straight lines and angular details were chosen to echo the geometric patterns and architectural influences of the Nordic and Kyiv landscapes, reinforcing the design’s balance of tradition and modernity.