Insights · Branding
Before & After: A Design Refresh for a Craft Soda We Love
At Envy Design Co., we’re not just designers — we’re also fans of exceptional products. County Bounty Soda Co. has been a favourite in our fridge for years. We’re passionate about its unique, farm-to-glass flavours and high-quality ingredients, but we felt the original branding didn’t quite do justice to what’s inside the can. The soda itself has a rich, artisanal quality that we wanted to bring to life through a reimagined design, aligning the look with the outstanding taste we know and love.
Before: A Foundation Needed More Artisanal Flair
While the original County Bounty label was functional, it didn’t fully capture the handcrafted, small-batch essence that makes this soda so special. The bold colours and straightforward layout felt a bit too generic, missing the unique character that sets County Bounty apart in the craft soda market. We saw an opportunity to enhance the brand’s visual appeal and make it truly stand out on the shelf — something that reflects the authentic, refreshing flavours inside.
After: Bringing County Bounty’s Quality to the Forefront
Our redesign took inspiration from the farm-fresh ingredients that define County Bounty’s sodas. We introduced hand-drawn illustrations of fruits to celebrate each unique flavour, like Raspberry Lime and Gooseberry Peach, with soft, natural colour gradients to give the can a fresh, inviting feel. The elegant typography and artisanal illustrations combine to create a look that’s bold yet refined, capturing the product’s premium quality without sacrificing its down-to-earth local charm.
For us, this project was more than just a design challenge — it was about honouring a product we love and believe in. County Bounty’s commitment to quality deserves a design that resonates with consumers and reflects the soda’s handcrafted goodness. With this updated look, County Bounty could proudly take its place on shelves, attracting both longtime fans like us and new customers drawn to its fresh, artisanal vibe.
A Logo and Brand Refresh That Reflects County Bounty’s Premium Quality
Updating the County Bounty brand wasn’t just about creating a more visually appealing can — it was about crafting an identity that resonates with the true quality of the product. County Bounty Soda Co. has always been a standout in terms of flavour and ingredient quality, but its logo and branding didn’t fully reflect the artisanal care and farm-to-glass philosophy that make it so special.
In our refresh, we elevated the logo to embody a refined, upscale feel while preserving its approachable, rural and local charm. The new typography is clean and elegant, exuding a sense of authenticity and sophistication. We kept the design simple yet intentional, ensuring it speaks to a discerning audience who values both quality and craftsmanship. It’s the same balance we struck for Kunaferia, bringing a heritage dessert into a modern, premium brand.
This new look not only enhances brand recognition but also resonates with consumers who appreciate artisanal, thoughtfully made products. With updated packaging and a refined logo, County Bounty’s visual identity could match the exceptional quality inside every can, inviting consumers to experience a soda that’s as premium as it looks. This cohesive brand refresh would allow County Bounty to stand proudly among upscale beverage choices, capturing attention on the shelf and in the hands of its loyal fans.
Toronto Packaging Design: Why Design Matters
When we elevate a brand’s design, we’re not just changing its look — we’re enhancing the story it tells. With this refreshed branding, we aimed to create a label as compelling as the product itself, bridging the gap between appearance and experience.
Frequently asked questions
What was wrong with the original County Bounty can design?
The original label was functional, but its bold colours and straightforward layout felt generic and didn't capture the handcrafted, small-batch character of the soda.
That's a common challenge for craft beverage brands. The product inside may be thoughtfully made with real care, but if the can looks like many others on the shelf, shoppers have no reason to pick it up. Packaging needs to communicate quality and personality in a split second, especially next to bigger brands with polished designs. For County Bounty, the opportunity was to make the can design feel as special and local as the soda itself, without losing the approachable feel that made it likeable.
What changed in the County Bounty redesign?
The refresh introduced hand-drawn fruit illustrations for each flavour, soft natural colour gradients, and clean, elegant typography, along with a more refined logo that keeps the brand's approachable, local charm.
The hand-drawn illustrations bring a handcrafted feel and make each flavour easy to identify at a glance. Soft gradients feel more natural and premium than flat, bold colours, while cleaner typography adds polish without making the brand feel stiff. Together, they create a can design that looks like it belongs in the craft beverage aisle and works as a family across flavours. It's a good example of how a packaging design refresh can lift a brand without losing the charm loyal customers already love.
Why does packaging design matter for a craft beverage brand?
Packaging tells the product's story on the shelf. A design that matches the quality inside helps a craft brand stand out among upscale choices and attract new customers as well as loyal fans.
Shoppers often make quick decisions in the beverage aisle, and packaging design is frequently the deciding factor when they haven't tried a product before. For craft brands, packaging needs to communicate what makes the product special, like small-batch production, natural ingredients or local roots, through colour, illustration and typography. Good packaging also works beyond the shelf, looking great in social media posts, on restaurant menus and in online stores, which helps a craft beverage brand build recognition everywhere it appears.
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