Nordic Bravery: A Design Triumph by Oleksandr Pogrebniak

Unveiling the Inspiration and Uniqueness of the Award-Winning Packaging Design

Scandinavia's severe yet stunning nature, picturesque Norwegian mountains, deep fjords, Finnish lakes with crystal clear water, and the mythology of the ancient Scandinavians served as the muse for Pogrebniak's Nordic Bravery. The design, according to Pogrebniak, is unforgettable and stands out among other beer designs, which typically focus on the font rather than graphic illustration.

The distinguishing feature of Nordic Bravery is its emphasis on the visual perception of the drawing, which represents the origin of the beer. The label design minimizes text and highlights the image of a brave and fearless warrior. The Viking helmet, a stylized image of the Norwegian mountains, embodies courage, enticing the consumer to experience this bravery while enjoying the beer.

Nordic Bravery is realized through a paper label on a glass bottle, beverage cans, and a cardboard package. The label dimensions are 65 mm x 115 mm. The design encapsulates the product type, its origin, and effectively communicates with the target audience.

The design was conceived in 2013 in Poland. After a thorough market and target audience analysis, Pogrebniak decided to focus on graphic illustration, relegating the font to the background. The unique style is based on two Scandinavian symbols — rocky fjords and a fearless Viking. The goal was to create a brand associated with excellent, strong beer.

In this design, three elements harmoniously blend: the harsh beauty of Scandinavia, a courageous Viking, and sparkling beer. The central place in the label design is the graphic illustration, which piques interest in textual support, making it more intelligible and convincing. The chosen color palette makes the label saturated and contrast. This beer design appeals to active, independent, and confident individuals who appreciate the beauty and purity of nature. The beer's name and design complement each other, reflecting the designer's intent.

Nordic Bravery was awarded the Golden A' Packaging Design Award in 2018. The Golden A' Design Award is granted to marvelous, outstanding, and trendsetting creations that reflect the designer's prodigy and wisdom. They are venerated products and bright ideas that advance art, science, design, and technology, embodying extraordinary excellence and significantly impacting the world with their desirable characteristics.