Riba Leve: A Light and Lyrical Beer Label

An Unexpected Reinterpretation of the Mermaid Icon

The Riba brand, famous for its bar and restaurant in Rio de Janeiro, wanted a label that would convey the lightness of their new product. Ruis Vargas, the creative director and illustrator behind the design, conceived the image of a mermaid with wings, floating in the clouds. The word "leve," meaning light in Portuguese, perfectly captures the concept of the beer, light to the point of taking flight. The flying mermaid serves as a symbol of this lightness and creates an analogy with the balloon present in the gargaleira, the neck of the bottle.

The label itself was produced using flexography and a combination of three special colors: magenta, green, and graphite gray. This vibrant combination, in tune with Brazilian tropicalismo, preserves the naturalness of the illustration's hachura technique. The gargaleira, mimicking the shape of a cloud, expands on the concept of lightness and flight.

Careful attention was given to the composition of the label, creating two distinct areas of information. The first area, the face of the label, focuses on the aesthetic-conceptual aspect and includes the obligatory information required for Brazilian beverage labels. The second area is dedicated to the technical aspects of the product, presented in a clean and simple design. The dimensions of the label are 160X80 mm, while the gargaleira measures 80X40 mm.

The Riba Leve beer label is not just a visual representation of the product; it is an important component in creating a complete brand experience for the consumer. Riba's products aim to offer diversified gastronomic experiences to a diverse audience. The light beer specifically targets the female audience and beachgoers in Rio, providing a beer that caters to their taste buds. Riba is more than just a brand; it is a way of life.

The project to design the Riba Leve beer label started in June 2017 and was completed in January 2018 in Sao Paulo, Brazil. The design process involved extensive research into the Riba brand and the Brazilian way of life. The Laika design team, led by Ruis Vargas and assisted by Thiago Siqueira, employed their unique method of creating meaning and constructing graphic narratives to develop the label.

The Riba Leve beer label design has received recognition for its creativity and ingenuity. It was awarded the Bronze A' Design Award in the Packaging Design category in 2019. This prestigious award honors designs that exhibit strong technical and creative skills, contributing to quality of life improvements and making the world a better place.