HIBA
Hiba is a Japanese sake brand that specializes is junmai daiginjo sake, the highest quality variety. To reflect the craftsmanship of the liquor, the name, Hiba, refers to the burial place of the Shinto creation goddess, Izanami. The labels are also printed with a beautiful topographic map of the area itself. While the label is primarily in Japanese, all important information is listed in English. Hiba is meant to celebrate the history and origin of exquisite sake.
Instructor:
Paul Sheriff
PROCESS
While not a drinker myself, I am very interested in Japanese culture. I wanted to use this project as an opportunity to design with both a foreign style and a foreign language. This proved to be difficult, as not only did I have to research all the correct terminology and characters for the label, but I also had to make it clear to an English-speaking viewer. In the meantime, my idea for the brand began to evolve. Originally it was arbitrarily based upon the number 5, but once I came up with the idea to use a topographic map on the label the brand story greatly expanded. By relating the product to a Japanese creation diety, I am not only speaking to the quality of the liquor but the importance of the ingredients as well.
Old versions of the logo and label before the name and story were changed.
Detail of the mango flavor
Detail of the blueberry flavor
Detail of the lychee flavor
Promotional shots of the bottles along with their boxes