Jackie O's Brewery's design for Mystic Mama West Coast Style IPA in aluminium cans has won the fifth annual Colored by INX Can Design Contest. The winner was chosen through a voting process involving five independent judges and the public via INX International's Facebook and LinkedIn pages.
The other four design finalists were:
The Ohio-based brewery has been at the forefront of supporting and promoting sustainability for a considerable time. Inspired by the extensive alumni community throughout Ohio, Jackie O's Brewery made the bold decision to shift towards aluminium in 2013. Community favourites like Mystic Mama and Razz Wheat transitioned from glass bottles to aluminium cans—a unique and sustainable choice that set them apart. The company also adopted PakTech packaging handles for 6-packs, made from second-use HDPE plastics and fully recyclable, further showcasing its innovative and sustainable practices.
About the contest
The contest required designers to create a commercial design by January 1, 2024, using at least one colour from the INX Colour catalogue. Mirth highlighted that having access to the metal decoration industry's only true colour standard, with nearly 650 colour metal swatches, provided peace of mind and ensured each colour was accurate and consistent.
"Mystic Mama is our flagship West Coast style IPA. It stands as a testament to bold flavor and rich narrative, and it called for packaging to capture that essence," said Erica Mirth, Head of Design at the Athens, Ohio brewery. "Mystic Mama has been a heartfelt homage to the memory of Jackie Oestrike, the eponymous matriarch of Jackie O's. Each can is adorned with imagery drawn from the mystical and matriarchal realms, echoing the spirit of its inspiration."
Collaboration with Bryn Perrott
The design, marketing, and sales teams at Jackie O's Brewery collaborated with renowned West Virginia woodcut artist Bryn Perrott to create the winning design. Erica Mirth, Head of Design at the Athens, Ohio, brewery, described Mystic Mama as a celebration of craftsmanship, deep heritage, and the power of storytelling. She explained that the artwork on the can invite drinkers into a world where tradition meets artistry, fostering a sense of connection to the brewery's values and history.
"The INX Color Catalog is an incredibly beneficial tool that helps our team streamline the design process, from ideation to production. We wanted to select a bold and regal color palette for this design, and the extensive selection of colours within the catalog allowed us to select hues that were the perfect balance of striking and majestic. The physical colour swatches and the INX digital color library ensured we had the perfect palette. It brought our enchanting vision to life in a way that both wows our customers and proudly stands as a lasting tribute to the woman behind the Jackie O's name," added Erica.
In addition to earning bragging rights as the contest champion, the Jackie O's Brewery team will receive an engraved trophy and industry recognition, including a feature article in INX's Color Perfection Magazine. INX also extends gratitude to this year's judges, who included brand designers and colour and printing representatives: Scott Drucker, Alex Fordham, Sarah Jacks, Raul Martinez, and Marshall Thompson.
Responses
