HYDRO
Playful Hydration For A Younger Audience
Hydro is a company that produces hydration products for athletes. The brand is expanding into a new product line designed specifically for children: an electrolyte powdered drink mix. The product is positioned as a natural, kid-friendly solution that helps replenish energy after school and physical activity without leaving them feeling drained.
WHAT'S THE REQUEST
Client
We’re looking for a packaging design for our new product targeted toward kids. We want something that still feels on brand, but connects with a younger audience.
Me
Understood. Are there any specific requirements or constraints we should consider? For example—ingredient callouts, FDA compliance, packaging format (stick packs, tubs), required brand elements, or target age range?
Client
Yes—this is an electrolyte powdered drink mix for kids. It needs to feel natural, safe, and parent-approved. The packaging must clearly communicate ingredients and benefits, while still being engaging for children. It should also be scalable across multiple flavor.
Me
We’ll develop three distinct design directions, each aligned with your brand. The packaging will be visually engaging for kids while maintaining clarity and trust for parents. We’ll also ensure the system is flexible enough to expand across SKUs.
Me
Perfect—let’s move forward.
Client
That sounds great. We’re excited to see the different directions.
HOPE FOR THE DAY
From Mission to Real-World Impact
Hope For The Day (HFTD) is a non-profit dedicated to proactive suicide prevention and mental health education, with a focus on making conversations more accessible within youth and creative communities. 86 the Silence, a program within its education department, extends this mission into the hospitality sector by partnering with bars, restaurants, and service-based businesses to integrate mental health awareness into everyday social spaces through shared messaging, community engagement, and occasional fundraising efforts.
1
DISCOVER
Understanding Behavior and Market Positioning
The discovery phase focused on competitive analysis and behavioral insights. Evaluating shelf positioning, color, and messaging across competing products. I identified the gap between child engagement (color, shape, character) and parent trust (clarity, transparency, readability), using these insights to guide each visual direction.
2
STRATEGY
Balancing Excitement with Trust
I defined a visual system that balances playful energy with structured clarity. This included establishing:
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A color-coding system for flavor differentiation
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A clear typography hierarchy for readability
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Consistent illustrations to communicate benefits and ingredients
The system was designed for scalability across multiple SKUs while maintaining brand consistency.
3
DESIGN
Modular, Bold, and Adaptable
The final designs feature bold compositions, simplified forms, and vibrant color palettes to capture attention. Typography was prioritized for legibility, ensuring parents can quickly understand product information. A modular layout system was developed, allowing the packaging to adapt efficiently across flavors and future product extensions without losing visual consistency.
CONCEPT DEVELOPMENT
This logo variation is tailored toward the hospitality sector, aligning with the preferences and visual expectations of their primary audience while maintaining clarity, warmth, and approachability.
Color System
A structured color palette was introduced to differentiate flavors while maintaining cohesion across the product line.
Visual Language
Graphic elements were simplified and expressive, creating a balance between playful engagement for kids and clarity for parents.
Strategic Outcome
The final direction was selected based on its ability to bridge both audiences effectively—capturing attention on the shelf while reinforcing trust through clear communication and thoughtful design decisions.
DESIGNING FOR BEHAVIOR
Function Drives Creativity
This project reinforced the importance of designing for multiple decision-makers within one product. Kids are drawn to visuals, while parents prioritize clarity and trust. Success metrics can include shelf visibility, product recognition, and adaptability across SKUs. The system was built to support scalability and long-term growth.