Shared Cultures
An illustrative brand and packaging system for a California-based foraged and fermented goods company
Inspired by traditional fermentation methods, wild foraged mushrooms, and the bounty of Northern California, Shared Cultures creates brilliant, alternative soy sauces, misos, and marinades using the magic of koji fermentation. The company was originally started by Eleana Hsu and Kevin Gondo in their San Francisco apartment, and has now grown to 4 employees in a commercial kitchen space. In addition to offering online ordering, Shared Cultures has rapidly expanded into the restaurant scene as well as appearing on local grocery store shelves with wildly popular offerings and unique local pairings.
Shared Cultures approached me with an interest in creating an identity that reflects their mission to bring their layered backgrounds in food and foraging together to provide unique products that celebrate fermentation and the California landscape. Their primary need included a flexible identity that could extend to their ever-evolving selection of products and grow as the company does. Together, we developed a packaging system featuring illustrations that evoke a sense of wonder and whimsy, and are reflective of product ingredients and the places they come from.
Photography & styling by Nicola Parisi.
Branding
Identity System
Illustration
Packaging Design
Collateral Design
