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As we look back on the changes to our lifestyle from the 2020 pandemic, we cannot overlook the alcohol industry and the changes it has made to survive.  From the hospitality industry fighting an uphill battle to survive, to consumers looking for more healthy options in food and beverage, there is no doubt that these trends will move into 2021. So what’s next for the different segments in the industry? How will brands adapt to survive? These are our predictions as we move into the New Year. Ready to Drink Beverages Will Continue Expanding. The RTD category started seeing traction in 2020, and this trend is not stopping. With bars and restaurants adjusting to the “new normal,” beverage…

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We’ve all head about the wellness craze. Consumers are seeking healthier options and substituting one food or drink for another. Who isn’t excited that people want to live a healthier lifestyle? With all the new brands coming to market and the new healthy low/no alcohol beverage trend growing, brands are finding ways to capitalize on consumer demands. Substituting one snack for a healthier option As adults start reading the ingredient list more carefully before they put an item in their cart, more brands are realizing that in order to not be placed back, they need to have a clean ingredient list that isn’t confusing to the consumer. If you are a new and/or emerging brand, you need a…

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As we move into 2020 there are four trends that CPG brands should be aware of as they create packaging or refresh their packaging in 2020.   Minimalistic design, recyclable packaging, corrugated packaging, and smart packaging are four areas that will impact purchasing decisions of consumers. Minimalistic Design The more minimalist the design, the more transparent a consumer feels the product is being with them.  This was a trend in 2019, and will continue to grow into 2020. The less confusing your packaging is, the easier it is to read and consumers will have a much greater chance at putting the product in their cart. Minimalism is key. 100% Recyclable Packaging Sustainability was a trend in 2019 and…

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Did you know the CBD market is planned to be a $22 billion dollar industry by 2022? The CBD space is booming and brands are coming out of the woodworks. So, how do you stand out? What makes your brand better than the next brand? This, my friend, is the power of branding. With so many CBD products in the market and 55% of users being women, according to Brightfield Group. Marketing to women may be one way to stand out against your competition. Just ask the founders of Sagely Naturals, Kerrigan Behren and Kaley Nicol how important branding is for their CBD product. They quickly realized the CBD space has a need for products marketed specifically to…

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Hi, my name is Morgan, and I am the Owner and Creative Director of KM Branding Studio located in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina.  Building this studio was a dream of mine when I graduated from Clemson University, and I’ve finally had the opportunity to grow a dream into a reality. Since today is National College Colors Day, I wanted to shape this post around the beauty of going to Clemson University and where it lead me in my career and business. Through my years at Clemson University I learned the value of starting my career early on. The Graphic Communications program helped me develop and grow in the design industry as I conquered internships, TA positions, worked part…

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LaCroix has spent much of the last decade as America’s favorite sparkling water brand. The company has controlled up to 30% of the sparkling water market by marketing its product as  a healthy alternative to sodas, offering more than 20 exotic flavors like apricot and pamplemousse (grapefruit). The company has been a consistent favorite among millennials and social media influencers, establishing a high level of brand loyalty that any company would cherish—or so it seemed. In the last nine months, LaCroix’s brand has been put to the test. The company has suffered a steep drop in sales and a 62% slip in stock price of LaCroix’s parent company, the American beverage developer known as National Beverage Co. So…

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As we move further into 2019 there are four trends that beverage brands should be aware of as they create packaging or refresh their packaging in 2019.  Premium packaging, minimalistic design, sustainable packaging and e-commerce are four areas that will impact purchasing decisions of consumers, not only in the beverage space, but the CPG (consumer packaged goods) space as well. Premium Packaging Consumers love new options and ways to consume their beverage. Whether it’s purchasing the new Fiji water bottle cap, because it’s a new way to drink your fancy water, or trying a new vodka b/c the bottle is too beautiful not to have on your bar cart. Consumers are constantly looking for more premium products. Minimalistic…

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As the health and wellness movement continues to impact consumers daily, it is important for graphic designers to understand what is happening in the marketplace.  A few trends that we are seeing widespread throughout industry and consumer adoption are: plant protein products, private label products, and sugar reduction options. Plant Based Plant based products are rapidly growing in the food and beverage market. Vegetarians are not the only ones eating and drinking these products. According to  Nielsen and the Plant Based Foods Association, there is a 20% rise in plant based foods and the trend isn’t slowing down.   So if you are a brand looking to expand products you provide, maybe take a brand dive into plant based options and see if a portfolio addition could…

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Just when you think your design is ready to be delivered to the masses, TTB comes back with changes to your design which completely alter the way you are communicating the product label. You followed “their rules” and then your vision is smashed… has this ever happened to you as a designer?  The TTB has strict guidelines that you must adhere to if you want your label approved. As an alcohol beverage designer, it is important to be up to date on the guidelines. These guidelines can be quirky and hard to understand, making you second-guess your decision to place the verbiage in a certain location.  I promise the uncertainty will never go away. After six plus years…

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Located in Charleston South Carolina, Pinckney Palm focuses on social media strategy. The owner, Erin, is a mom, wife, and small business owner. Her hard work to start her own business on top of having a family is the definition of what her branding stands for. So let me elaborate: You may remember from history class, Eliza Pinckney. She is considered one of America’s first agriculturists because she brought indigo to Charleston. Not only was she a female in the 1700s doing amazing things for South Carolina, but she also made indigo the second largest cash crop in South Carolina. What a creative way to honor a female businesswoman and really show clients how branding is at the…

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