Sum>One
This packaging introduces a fresh brand breaking into specialty coffee with a core philosophy: great coffee emerges from the combined talents of many individuals throughout the entire journey from seed to sip. We wanted to create a visual system that's vibrant and welcoming while celebrating coffee's craft.
Our pattern language uses geometric icons arranged in a rhythmic grid to tell coffee's complete story, from origin to cup. The color palette—warm cherry reds balanced against cool blues—creates a visual narrative connecting coffee growers with coffee drinkers. The label design deliberately highlights SUM>ONE's direct producer relationships, transforming each bag into a tangible connection point between consumer and origin. This transparent approach isn't just aesthetically pleasing—it's design with purpose, physically manifesting the brand's commitment to equitable partnerships throughout the coffee ecosystem.
Ultimately, we aimed to design packaging that would stand out while communicating the brand's values immediately. Were there any specific references that informed the design? The SUM>ONE design draws inspiration from multiple sources that inform our creative decisions. Mid-century geometric pattern work influenced our approach to the repeating icon system. We were drawn to how simple shapes can create rhythm and movement while communicating joy and humanity—qualities that perfectly align with our goal of celebrating human connections throughout coffee's journey. Our color palette directly references coffee's agricultural origins. The Cherry and Salmon tones evoke the coffee cherry's natural coloration, while the complementary Dew and Pale Dew blues represent water's essential role in cultivation. This intentional color relationship creates a visual bridge between coffee's beginning and endpoint.
The monogram design was influenced by botanical forms and coffee symbolism—its fluid lines simultaneously suggest a sprouting seedling and steam rising from a cup, reinforcing the brand's focus on coffee's complete lifecycle. For our label design, we looked to contemporary transparency movements in consumer goods, where clear communication about sourcing and impact has become vital for connecting with conscious consumers.
