Twisting Spirits: A Fusion of Data and Gin

IT Geeks Turned Gin Geeks Revolutionize Packaging Design

The inspiration behind Twisting Spirits' innovative design lies in the creators' love for data. The designers sought to apply this passion to the traditionally conservative world of gin. The packaging design reflects the ingredients of the gin using color-coded bars, with the size of the bar corresponding to the quantity of the ingredient. This data visualization approach provides a unique, interactive experience for the consumer.

The unique properties of Twisting Spirits' design lie in its ability to convey the flavor of the gin visually. The designers wanted consumers to experience each flavor before tasting it, a challenging feat with a clear liquid. To achieve this, they open-sourced the ingredient data, representing each ingredient as a colored bar. Each flavor is printed onto its own tactile embossed GFSmith Colorplan, creating a sensory experience that mimics the taste of the gin.

The realization of this design involved a combination of technology and craftsmanship. Each label features a relevant GFSmith Colorplan stock embossing, with CMYK print on the outer and a wash of the lead color on the inside for impact. The use of Foilco SHLR for key accents, such as the logo, creates a striking contrast against the silver or gold foils often seen in the gin market.

The design project, which took place from September 2016 to March 2017, faced several challenges. The design team wanted each label in the range to have a different emboss, yet have a full bleed color printed on the reverse. The solution involved using HP Indigo to keep costs down for a short run and allow more design freedom. Despite initial concerns that ink on the reverse side could ruin the adhesive, a slightly complicated and unconventional label was created using GFSmiths color plan range, with adhesive applied separately after printing.

This innovative approach to packaging design has earned Twisting Spirits a Silver A' Packaging Design Award in 2017. The award recognizes top-of-the-line, creative, and professionally remarkable designs that demonstrate outstanding expertise and innovation. Twisting Spirits' design, admired for its strong technical characteristics and splendid artistic skill, showcases a remarkable level of excellence and introduces positive feelings, amazement, and wonder.