The Redesign of Plymouth Gin

I have a few websites that I look at nearly every day, either for inspiration or just to see what's happening in the design world. My favourite at the moment is The Dieline, which is a fantastic showcase for packaging design.

One recent rebrand that has stood out for me, is the new packaging for Plymouth Gin. Designed by Design Bridge in London, they had the chance to examine the archives of Englands oldest gin distillery. This must have been such a great opportunity and the best way of getting underneath the skin of the company and product.

 

The Black Friars Distillery in Plymouth was built in 1431. The site was originally the last shelter for the Pilgrim's before they set sail on the Mayflower for the New World. The designers wanted to understand the craftmanship and rich history of the brand so they could develop an effective product.

The glass has an uneven shape which looks like a revamped older style that hints at their heritage. Other nice touches are the embossed date of 1793 when Plymouth Gin started, the Mayflower, the oval label which has the slight copper finish that mimics the copper stills that it is distilled in and an iconic figure of a monk which again, harks back to its history.

The monk is more than just a symbol of the distillery's past but they have a saying for the brand which is, 'when his feet are dry its time to buy'.