Forest Water— Botanical Soda

  • Born in Nashville and inspired by the wild abundance of the Appalachian Mountains, Forest Water began as an exploration of wild-harvested botanicals, evolving into a sparkling, complex drink that bridges the gap between craft beverages and mindful consumption. The brand embraces the search for sustainable, often overlooked ingredients, making every can a tribute to the unsung heroes of the forest. Packed with bold, layered flavours and a spirit of discovery, Forest Water invites you to enjoy the whole experience, from the clarity of mountain streams to the warmth of a night under the stars.

    The brand's visual identity reflects its story, anchored by a hand-drawn pictorial mark of the American Chestnut Tree—an impactful symbol of resilience and a tribute to the native flora of the Appalachian landscape. The typographic system draws inspiration from WPA-style artwork—especially the work created by Ranger Doug. These posters are an integral part of American history, showcasing the wonders of the national parks. In the emblem, we decided to include the brand's establishment date, even though it may seem ironic for a new brand. It is more than an aesthetic choice; it functions as a conceptual anchor, reinforcing the brand's legacy and positioning it as a timeless entity rather than a passing trend. We worked the identity in black and white, and then combined colours for each SKU that capture the essence and character of each unique blend of ingredients. This decision ensures that while each flavour carries a distinct personality, the overall brand identity remains strong and cohesive. The result highlights the beauty of imperfection, honours the past, and captures the essence of Americana style. It achieves a balance between nostalgia and contemporary.

    CREDITS
    Photography: Hannah Pearson from ahpear.com
    Brand Strategist: Fern Diaz from librarie.studio

MAKEBARDO

MAKEBARDO is a New Zealand, Queenstown-based design studio run by Bren Imboden and Luis Viale. As a creative duo, we make conceptual and strategic work for local and international clients. Our aim is to partner with people looking to develop meaningful brands.

The studio has been specializing in brand identity and packaging design. Whether your project is independent or commercial, small or big, we always are willing to hear your story and see if we can collaborate to develop your project, so please do not hesitate to drop us a line.

http://www.makebardo.com
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