print design • PACKAGING DESIGN
small batch.
big splash.
Elderberry Everything is a small, family-rooted shop offering handmade, nature-based wellness remedies with a warm, homemade feel. As they prepared to branch into retail for the first time, they needed a can design for their new Elderberry Lemonade that could confidently stand out on crowded shelves without losing the charm and authenticity that built their loyal following.
The challenge was to balance approachable artisan style with retail-ready polish.
Balancing Handmade with Retail-Ready.
I focused on preserving the heart of the brand while refining the visual language to thrive in a commercial setting. The result balances simplicity with sweetness, creating a can that feels fresh, confident, and immediately recognizable.
Key moves included:
Evolving the homemade aesthetic to feel cleaner, more contemporary, and more shelf-competitive
Using bright, berry-forward illustration elements to keep the design playful and recognizable
Introducing a clear typographic hierarchy so product name, flavor, and brand read instantly from a distance
Crafting a layout with modern airflow, enough negative space to compete with sleek beverage brands, but enough personality to stay true to the brand
Highlighting small-batch cues intentionally to ensure the design still feels human, handmade, and trustworthy
The Elderberry Lemonade can became a powerful first step into retail for the brand. It maintains the heart of Elderberry Everything’s original visual identity while leveling up for broader exposure. On shelf, it stands apart not by mimicking competitors, but by blending clean, modern design with the brand’s signature handcrafted charm.
This project sets the foundation for a future product line that can expand naturally, growing up without growing out of who the brand truly is.