Project overview:
Gaining an understanding of how promotional beer labels are created and maintained in Illustrator. Creating a good file structure and proper use of Illustrator tools & workflow, plus some creative image work & typographic skills used in InDesign to produce the labels
This project aimed to create a complete label set and mockup for ST Original Brewery’s three featured beer types. The design needed to reflect the brand’s premium, sporty, and authentic craft identity while standing out on retail shelves. Emphasis was placed on visual consistency, branding cohesion, and legibility across all variations.
Design process:
1. Concept Development
- Objective: Represent a bold yet refined craft identity.
- Visual Direction: Classic brewery crest with modern typography and a monochromatic palette for sophistication and contrast.
- Style Inspiration: Traditional European beer crests, minimalist label trends, and clear typographic hierarchy.
Visual Identity & Logo Design
The brand identity for ST Original Brewery was built to reflect a blend of craftsmanship, tradition, and sport-driven energy. At its core is a custom-designed crest logo, which combines elements like a pint glass, wheat stalks, and a ribbon badge to communicate authenticity and quality.
• Crest Logo:
Developed as the cornerstone of the brand, the ST crest is symmetrical, iconic, and scalable—designed to be instantly recognizable across labels, bottle caps, and marketing.
• Typography:
To convey strength and clarity, edition titles use a bold, condensed typeface. The supporting type is minimal and modern, reinforcing legibility and hierarchy across all label variations.
• Colour System:
Each beer type is assigned a distinct accent colour to differentiate editions, while black and white form the neutral base for a clean, timeless look.
• Motifs & Symbols:
The five-star motif and wing icon are inspired by athletic branding and premium quality marks, adding a sporty, competitive edge to the otherwise classic visual language.
2. Asset Creation
Logo Design:
- Developed the ST Brewery Original crest using vector illustration tools.
- Incorporated beer-related symbols such as wheat stalks and a pint glass to reinforce the theme.
- The ribbon and shield elements establish trust and tradition.
Primary Label Design:
- Featured key elements:
• Top star and wing icon for quality assurance.
• Clear titles with bold visual contrast.
• Crest logo centralized to solidify brand recognition.
• Alcohol content and volume are displayed beneath the logo.
- Typeface choices emphasize boldness and clarity.
Back Label Design:
- Descriptive paragraph to communicate the product’s craft identity and ingredients.
- Legal disclaimer and government warning included for compliance.
- Barcode and website for engagement and traceability.
- Typography is designed for easy legibility and clean alignment.
Bottle Neck Labels:
- Designed distinct neck labels for each beer type to add character and reinforce brand visibility from all shelf angles.
- Each label incorporates the ST crest, 5-star motif, and a unique "Edition" colour identifier in a clean horizontal layout.
- Engineered to wrap cleanly around the bottleneck while aligning visually with the main front label for a cohesive look.
3. Packaging Mockups
Bottle Mockup Presentation:
- Created realistic product visualizations using 3D rendered mockups
- Applied the label designs to brown glass bottles for an earthy, traditional look
- Set within a bright, soft-focus environment to suggest quality and freshness
- Included a branded bottle cap for an extra layer of design consistency
Software & Tools Used:
Adobe Illustrator: For vector artwork, logo design, and label layout
Adobe Photoshop: For bottle mockup application and enhancement
Adobe Dimension: 3D mockup assets are used to present the product professionally in context
Deliverables:
- Front and back label designs for 3 beer types
- Master crest/logo design for ST Brewery
- High-resolution mockup images
- Print-ready label files (CMYK, with bleed)
- Digital presentation files for stakeholder review
Project Reflection:
This project solidified the visual identity of ST Brewery as a bold yet authentic craft brand. The final label system strikes a balance between premium aesthetics and sporty energy, suitable for a competitive market while leaving room for future product expansions.