Packaging & Merchandising Design | Project 1: Uncle Jeff Kombucha Label Redesign
20/10/25 - 3/11/25 (Week 5 - Week 7)
Kimberly Miaw Jya Nee | 0366836
Bachelor of Design (Honours) in Creative Media | Taylor's University
Packaging & Merchandising Design
Project 1: Uncle Jeff Kombucha Label Redesign
[Table of Contents]
1.
Instructions
2.
Project
3.
Feedback
4.
Reflection
5.
Quick Links
[Instructions]
[Project]
In this project, we were required to redesign a bottle label for a local
kombucha brand,
Uncle Jeff Kombucha. The goal was to create a label that is shelf-ready, distinctive, and clearly communicates the
product's local authenticity, artisanal quality, and unique flavoring to the
intended consumer.
Large bottle: height 9.5cm × width 18.5cm
Small bottle: height 6cm x width 14.5 cm
Label Design Requirements:
- Redesign logo to reflect local, artisanal identity
- Clearly state “Kombucha Sparkling Tea”
- Include adaptable flavour section (e.g., Mamak, Bandung, Kopitiam, Nutmeg)
- Highlight 2–3 key features (e.g., Made with 100% Local Tea Leaves, No Artificial Flavorings, Artisanal & Locally Sourced)
- Add mandatory info: ingredients, nutritional facts, storage instructions, manufacturing contact, net volume, barcode
Current Label Design
Fig. 1. Current Uncle Jeff Kombucha Label Design
Process Work
I have chosen to do the Mamak Kombucha which is inspired by the
well-loved teh o ais limau, made with black tea and
calamansi.
Research
I started my research on Uncle Jeff Kombucha by going through their
Instagram page and reading articles they were featured in.
Further Readings:
https://www.instagram.com/unclejeffdrinks/
https://vulcanpost.com/821807/uncle-jeff-drinks-malaysia-kombucha-brand-eslite-spectrum/
https://www.tatlerasia.com/dining/drinks/in-the-mood-for-food-try-malaysia-inspired-kombucha-flavours-by-uncle-jeff-drinks-at-the-festival
https://vulcanpost.com/821807/uncle-jeff-drinks-malaysia-kombucha-brand-eslite-spectrum/
https://www.tatlerasia.com/dining/drinks/in-the-mood-for-food-try-malaysia-inspired-kombucha-flavours-by-uncle-jeff-drinks-at-the-festival
I began looking for inspiration on Pinterest and compiled all the designs
that stood out to me. At this stage, I still didn’t have a really clear
direction for the style I wanted to do.
Fig. 2. Visual Direction Reference / Inspiration from Pinterest
Colour Palette
Using colour is an effective way to differentiate the various kombucha
flavours. Since Mamak Kombucha is teh o ais limau flavoured, I chose warm yellow and orange tones with hints of
green to represent
black tea and calamansi.
Fig. 3. Colour Palette Reference / Inspiration from Pinterest
I only finalised the colour palette for the label while I was working on
design because certain shades looked quite dull.
Fig. 4. Colour Palette Reference / Inspiration from
Pinterest
Ideation & Sketch
I wanted to keep the illustrative style from the current packaging
because, in an article I've read, Mr. Jeff (the founder of Uncle Jeff
Kombucha) mentioned that he hopes customers can enjoy the illustration
while drinking the kombucha.
Fig. 5. Initial Sketch
I just did a rough sketch in Procreate first to get an idea of how the
elements will be arranged on the label.
Digitalisation
For the logo, I used the Cotton typeface, I think it's playful, organic
but still also has some structure. For the body text, I used Archivo
SemiCondensed.
Fig. 6. Screenshot of Process in Illustrator #1
I moved on to designing the important label details such as the
ingredient list, nutritional facts, special instructions and a best
before date section.
Fig. 7. Screenshot of Process in Illustrator #2
On the right side of the label, I kept the same content from the
previous packaging but reworked it into a more minimal and fresh style.
I mainly used rounded forms to reflect the round shape of calamansi, and
added an abstract pattern inspired by kombucha scoby, which is flat and
rounded, almost like a pancake.
Fig. 8. Screenshot of Process in Illustrator #3
I saved the front-facing side for last, as I wanted to make sure all
the important information was included on the label before adding
illustrations, which could take up space. I sketched out the
illustration in Procreate, then I traced it using the pen tool in
Illustrator.
Fig. 9. Screenshot of Process in Illustrator #4
After finishing the large kombucha bottle label, I copied and pasted
the design onto the small label. Then I readjusted everything to make
sure it didn’t look cramped, since the smaller label has more narrow
space. The illustration on the small label will only feature a Teh O
Ais Ikat Tepi since its too narrow to fit in the Mamak guy.
Fig. 10. Screenshot of Process in Illustrator #5
Lastly, I put the label designs into some glass bottle mockups that I
have found online.
Fig. 11. Screenshot of Process in Photoshop
Final Compilation
Google Drive Link:
Fig. 12. Design Rational Report (PDF)
Fig. 13. Large Bottle Visual Mockup #1
Fig. 15. Large Bottle Visual Mockup #3
Fig. 17. Small Bottle Visual Mockup
Fig. 16. Label Die-Line / Flat File (PDF)
[Feedback]
Week 5 (20/10/25)
General Feedback:
[Public Holiday - Deepavali] No class this week, but Mr. Shamsul held a
demo for creating die-line in Illustrator via Teams. We were required
to show some progress next week (W6) the sketches, visual reference and
simple mood board (colour, typography, art style) + choose one kombucha
flavour for the label design.
Specific Feedback:
I have chosen Mamak kombucha flavour to redesign on. I begin doing the
research part to look for inspiration and reference
Week 6 (27/10/25)
General Feedback:
Show sketch & moodboard in class.
Specific Feedback:
This week I'm still working on my sketches, I need to speed up on
my progress before submission next week.
Week 7 (3/11/25)
General Feedback:
[Submission Week] The submission is extended until the end of the
week. I finalised my sketch and began digitising in
Illustrator.
Specific Feedback:
N/A
[Reflection]
Experience
Overall, this label redesign project was quite fun to work on. We had
the option to choose a flavour to base our design on. However, I was
stuck in the sketching phase for some time, I had difficulties deciding
which design style to go with.
Observation
Creating a label design is quite meticulous. Since a bottle label is
small in size, the scale and placement of each design element need to be
carefully considered.
Findings
This project highlighted the importance of clarity and prioritisation
in small-format designs. When space is limited, not every idea can be
included, so it's necessary to focus on the most essential visual
elements.
[Quick Links]
Thank You
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