Collection of colourful cans with black cat logo and various flavour names, floating over a stylised black floral and pastel gradient background.

the cat’s pour

student project | 2022

Branding and packaging for a premium wine range that offers a more sustainable alternative to traditional glass bottles. Introducing The Cat’s Pour, quality Australian wine in a can.

Three cans of The Cat's Pour Australian wine on a light-colored table outdoors. The cans are in pastel colors: green, blue, and pink, each with a black cat illustration and nature-themed designs.
Close-up of a hand holding a can of sparkling Tasmania beverage with a blue label and black cat logo, with other colorful cans and a person with a smile in the background.
Black silhouette of a cat with yellow-green eyes and long whiskers, with the text "The Cat's Pour" next to it in a stylised font.
Sample typography in uppercase and lowercase, numbers, and special characters in black font on a white background.
A color palette featuring vertical stripes in shades of red, purple, pink, yellow, and blue.

Inspired by the iconic posters for the Parisian night club Le Chat Noir dating to the 1880s, the black cat imbues a sense of sophistication and intrigue - qualities to appeal to and entice wine drinkers to buy the product.

The logotype is hand-drawn and supported by Acumin Variable Concept Condensed, a simple, compact and modern sans serif, selected to contrast with the art nouveau inspired logotype.

Four black cat illustrations with different coloured eyes (purple, yellow, blue, green) sitting with curled tails on a white background.
Silhouettes of native Australian botanicals on a blue background.
Silhouettes of native Australian botanicals on pink background.
Silhouettes of native Australian botanicals on a bright green background.
Silhouettes of native Australian botanicals on a purple background.

The colours of the wine varietals are brought through to the cat’s eyes and packaging, with the palette reflecting the range of wine varietals.

Australian native flora from each grape region showcases the wine’s Australian origins.

Two colorful posters on a textured gray wall. The left poster promotes Purrfect Party Pinot with a blue and light pink background and features a black cat and a can of wine. The right poster promotes BBQ Ready Shiraz with a yellow and pink background and also features a black cat and a can of wine.
Four wine labels with different colours and illustrations of a black cat and botanical designs. The labels feature text about different types of wine and recycling symbols.
Four cans of wine from 'The Cat's Pour' brand, featuring a black cat illustration on each, with different colors and wine types: Sparkling Tasmania, Pinot Gris Mornington Peninsula, Rosé Margaret River, and Shiraz Barossa Valley.

Aluminium offers multiple practical and environmental advantages over glass when it comes to wine packaging. Its lightweight qualities make for efficient transportation, it’s infinitely recyclable, chills faster than glass and doesn’t break as easily.

A woman holding a smartphone displaying an Instagram post of a pink can of cat-themed wine with the text 'Enjoy premium Aussie wine that's light on the planet,' outdoors during sunset.
Colorful circular stickers with black cat illustration and various plant illustrations, labeled 'The Cat's Pour' and 'Lighter on the Planet, Premium Aussie Wines'.
Multiple handwritten sketches and doodles centered around the phrase "Cat's Pour" and variations, including paw prints, speech bubbles, and decorative lettering.
A black and white outline illustration of two human skulls facing forward, side by side.

Initial logo concepts played on a visual of a cat’s paw however this could be perceived as unsanitary and therefore not the best imagery for a consumable product.

A circular ‘stamp’ influenced by the aureola around the black cat’s head, highlights the multiple ‘lives’ of aluminium packaging.

Four cans of The Cat's Pour drink, each with a different flavour and colour, featuring a black cat illustration and botanical designs.
Sketches and notes showing the transformation of a collapsible sign holder into a branded, cone-shaped ring, with diagrams demonstrating the assembly and branding process, including a photo of metallic cylindrical rings.

Concept sketches and prototypes led to a diamond-cut can that would add a pleasant, tactile feel while holding - and differentiate from other, ordinary cans.

Pattern of black cats with colorful eyes and accents on multicolored striped backgrounds.

Colour exploration for wine varietals:

  • Green and yellow denotes lighter white wines

  • Blue for heavier whites or cool climate wines

  • Purple denotes heavier red wines like shiraz

  • Red for lighter red wines like pinot noir

  • Pink for rosés

Two smartphones display social media profiles for 'The Cats Pour' beverage brand, showcasing colourful cans and a grid of product images.
Four cans of 'The Cat's Pour' wine with colourful labels and black cat logo, set against a blurred green outdoor background.
NEXT - Remarkably Bright Creatures