Valkyrie Gin Distillery is a conceptual brand identity created as a proof of concept to introduce to the highly competitive and crowded market for gin distilleries in South Africa. To stand out from the numerous brands vying for consumer attention, Valkyrie Gin Distillery took a unique and “darker” direction by incorporating a mystical story that drove the design and direction.

The inspiration behind the brand identity system was the Valkyrie myth, a story about fair-skinned warrior maidens with wings attached to their armor. This story provided a perfect source of inspiration for the brand identity system, which features four distinctive marks, including the Wordmark, Brand Mark, Product Mark, and Seal Mark, all custom-designed by Urbanjava Studio.

The custom-designed lettering, taking inspiration from old-style serifs and blackletter characters, combined with the military winged symbol, creates a distinctive visual identity that sets Valkyrie Gin Distillery apart from its competitors. The brand identity system’s monochromatic “color palette” drives minimal design execution to appeal to a higher-income consumer.

The brand identity system successfully captures the essence of the brand’s values, inspired by Norse mythology, and offers a visually stunning and distinct design applied to the product’s packaging labels and other applications. The project was a collaborative effort between the client, Valkyrie Distillery Inc., and Urbanjava Studio, with a focus on creating a brand identity system that stands out in a crowded market.

The Art Director and Branding expert, Christo Smit, led the project, with Motion Design by Ruan Hitge. The project falls under the Brand Identity category at the World Brand Design Awards, and the brand identity system is a strong contender for the award.

In conclusion, the Valkyrie Gin Distillery brand identity system is a unique and visually distinct design that captures the essence of the brand’s values. The incorporation of the Valkyrie myth, combined with custom-designed lettering and a monochromatic “color palette,” sets the brand apart from its competitors. The project’s success lies in its ability to stand out in a crowded market, thanks to its distinct design and incorporation of a mystical story that drives the design and direction.