Student Spotlight: Kirsten Mohr

I'm enjoying this beautiful, exuberant design for coffee by recent Creative Circus graduate, Kirsten Mohr. (Photo credit: Dan Schultz)

Comments

[Sooli]

While I do agree the packaging itself is indeed beautiful, I would imagine the designer isn't brazilian. Sure, there are few things as typically brazilian as "favelas", but associating our "slums" with a sophisticated-looking brand definitely feels quite a bit ironic to me as a local.

[Margot]

According to her website: Proceeds are donated to Project Favelo Bairro. This organization improves living standards, basic infrastructure and social services in the slums of Rio de Janeiro.

I think it's lovely. I'm not crazy about the Favelo typeface but the rest of it is gorgeous and very eye catching.

[Kirsten Mohr]

Thanks for the comment Sooli. The project objective was to introduce a foreign product into the US market. During my research of the area and from personal experiences abroad I came to the conclusion that while life in slums is often devastatingly challenging there’s often a sense of hope found within even the most extreme living conditions. Basic human truths survive: mothers love their children, families look after one another and everyone hopes for a brighter future. I wanted to communicate beauty found in a most unlikely place.

Given that you are a local, what would you suggest as a more appropriate name?

[Sooli]

Kirsten,

I think I can understand the concept behind your project, and I do believe the powerful association there is between Brazil, the vivid colors and the word "favela" would work well with the objectives you stated, especially considering it would be a foreign product.

The problem I see, however, is that the beauty of your packaging is a very clean and finished one, while the beauty of a "favela" is a bit more raw and dynamic. The colorful aspect of the packaging works great, but the overall look doesn't translate the rough beauty that is typical of the "favela" environment.

I can see your packaging working wonderfully with other names that could also be easily associated with a colorful Brazil, such as (pardon the severe use of clichés here, it's just to give you a general idea of what I mean) "Samba", "Carnaval" or for a less obvious option, "Bossa Nova". Sadly, I'm afraid I don't have any names off the top of my head that would be as strong a reference and in the same tone as "favela"...

That said, I'd just like to point out once again that I think you did a great job visually! It's just that as a brazilian, I suppose I couldn't help a deeper discussion over the general concept as well.

[Kirsten Mohr]

Hi Sooli,I can completely see your point! I hadn’t thought of it in terms of rough & raw vs. clean & polished. As all designers know, a project is never truly “done”. Thank you so much for the insightful critique.