Akimbo Coffee Beer: A Refreshing Blend of Art and Taste

A Vintage Hand-Painted Packaging Design

In the summer of 2018, Akimbo Cafe partnered with E.T. Brewery to launch two craft coffee beers: Colombian milk porter and Yirgacheffe Snowfield Berlin sour wheat. The packaging design for these beverages perfectly captures the characteristics of both brands. The design features a lively illustration and a hand-painted font on common aluminum cans, creating a refreshing effect.

The material used for the packaging is aluminum cans, which not only ensures the freshness of the beer but also adds a touch of modernity to the design. The outside packaging box measures 115mm in length, 66mm in width, and 66mm in height, providing a compact and convenient solution for consumers.

What sets the Akimbo Coffee Beer packaging design apart is its unique hand-drawn illustration style. Unlike other coffee or beer packaging designs on the market, this design stands out with its vintage and artistic appeal. The illustration tells the story of Akimbo's icon, Leonardo da Vinci, and E.T.Brewery's alien enjoying a day at the beach, surfing and playing. This design aims to create a relaxed and lively experience for consumers, reminiscent of drinking ice-cold beer on a hot summer day.

The Akimbo Coffee Beer packaging design project started in September 2018 and was completed in October 2018 in Shenzhen. The designers, Wen Liu, Kaichen Xie, and Weijie Kang, dedicated a significant amount of time to perfecting the illustration and font style. They aimed to maintain the main visual style of the product while clearly conveying that it is an alcoholic beverage, avoiding any confusion with non-alcoholic drinks.

The design of Akimbo Coffee Beer has been a resounding success, particularly among the younger generation in Shanghai and Shenzhen. Its unique hand-drawn illustration style and refreshing image have attracted a large number of fans. The design was awarded the Bronze A' Design Award in the Packaging Design category in 2020. This prestigious award recognizes the outstanding creativity and ingenuity of the design, which combines art, science, and technology to enhance the quality of life.