This content was originally published by The Hop Review, a digital magazine that joined the Hop Culture family in March 2020.
This piece was written by Jack Muldowney.
INYOKERN, CA
Stranger & Stranger, a London/New York design shop, consistently churns out some of the top packaging design in the world. Often though, it’s for liquor and wine packaging. So, although designed a couple years back now, I was excited to see work of theirs in the beer spectrum. Here, we’ll take a quick peek at some 12oz 4-packs they designed for Ballistic Brewing (their slogan is “Aimed to Please”). Possibly taking cues from the style (re-)made famous by Shepard Fairey, these four labels harken back to propaganda-esque designs. Unfortunately, despite their bold 2-color layouts, the beers themselves apparently haven’t fared so well…
The illustration isn’t quite my style, but I’m always impressed by great use of 2-color design, especially when part of a greater system. If I had to pick a favorite design here, though, it’d be the Bumblebee Golden Ale. Sharp stuff.
Images from StrangerAndStranger.com
TYPOGRAPHY: 7/10
SHEPARD-FAIREY-NESS: 7/10
ILLUSTRATION: 8/10