Our partnership with Isle of Harris began in 2014, and for our latest project, we were involved in developing the packaging for the inaugural launch of their Hearach Whisky. The brief was to create a distinctive, premium bottle and packaging solution that authentically represented the Isle of Harris, encapsulating the spirit of its people and location. Uniqueness, material efficiency and the ability to communicate the brand story were asked for, together with the packaging allowing the bottle to be clearly visible. 

The essence of the Isle of Harris Hearach Whisky is deeply rooted in its island origin and the remarkable individuals who craft it. The packaging showcases generations of Hearach individuals who have grown up amidst the island’s elemental landscape, using debossing and photography of the local islanders. The theme of intertwining people and place runs throughout the brand DNA of The Hearach.

The name, ‘The Hearach,’ is the Scottish Gaelic word for ‘a native of Harris.’ References to the Scottish Gaelic language are continued on the packaging to reflect the strong heritage and culture of the Isle of Harris. Additionally, the packaging subtly features the texture of Harris Tweed weaving, a historic island textile protected by a unique act of parliament, adding a tactile element and elevating the premium nature of the product.  

The glass patterns and label design evoke the concept of intertwining people and place, while the organic and weathered shape of the bottle further reflects the island’s essence. 

The postal outer, sleeve, and supporting brochure, which tells the brand story, are all made from fully recyclable materials, using biodegradable glues, foils, and environmentally friendly inks. 

The online launch on 22 September 2023 had an overwhelming response, with over 25,000 customers queuing online which led to a sell out in four and a half hours! Plus, over 1,000 customers travelled from as far away as Canada to line up outside the distillery to ensure they received a ‘first-release’ bottle. Slàinte mhath! 

Delighted to share that this project won Gold at the Scottish Design Awards for Packaging Design, was shortlisted for a D&AD Award for Limited Edition Packaging Design and won Best Branding Project and highly commended in the Best Packaging of a New Product at the UK Packaging Awards 2024.

Challenge

To raise awareness of the launch of the new TotalEnergies brand in the business to business market.

This required a campaign to be developed to re-engage with fleet businesses to promote the new brand and the new proposition for their renewable energy offering.

Solution

The approach was to create and build a personalised DM pack and a personalised website experience which tailored to each business customer.

The customer received a Direct Mail pack, which included a dummy fuel cell and a personalised code. The code is then entered on the website which then presents recommendations of fuels that TotalEnergies can offer for the customer’s sector or business.

The campaign was launched initially as a pilot to 30 businesses, but based on the success of the pilot this will now be rolled out to 60 additional customers.

Based in the Outer Hebrides, the Isle of Harris Distillery’s business model strongly focuses on online postal orders.

The challenges for their postal gifting packaging are:

• To provide an engaging, premium opening experience which enhances the beautiful, multi-award-winning Gin and complementary glassware range.
• To enable the team at Harris to efficiently and cost-effectively assemble the packaging.
• To be 100% recyclable and as materially efficient as possible.
• And most importantly, to safely transport fragile glassware through the post.

Our approach:

• We redesigned from the footprint up making dramatic improvements in material efficiency without compromising structural integrity.
• Quality and tactility were improved whilst maintaining sustainable credentials.
• The introduction of embossing, full-colour print and metallic print all add to the enhanced customer experience.
• Unique glass fitments are created to enhance the unboxing experience and ensure fragile glasses arrive in one piece, whilst allowing for the pack to be used in a retail environment.
• The range was rationalised to minimise component parts, with multi-use elements being created wherever possible to lower the carbon footprint.
• Customers can include a handwritten personalised note to enhance their experience.

A range of beautiful postal packaging for three different glass types, delivered in a blank postal outer to avoid any ‘surprise spoiling’. A balance of aesthetic appeal and structural stability has been reached to create a strong, post-safe pack with strong premium cues which can work equally as well in a retail environment.

We reduced the amount of material used on the packs, all of which was fully recyclable, for efficiency and cost and the design has been enhanced to improve the recipient’s unboxing experience, whilst lowering the carbon footprint.

The results:

• Excellent ongoing customer feedback despite a price increase from the previous year.
• Glass set sales increased dramatically and new customer acquisition increased.
• Winner of several awards including the Scottish Design Awards and a Golden Envelope at the SMP Mail Performance Awards.

Forbo is a world-wide flooring company.

Assignment: create an international campaign that has stopping power for Forbo’s new collection of Allura Luxury vinyl tiles.

Target group: Architects and project developers of, among others, social housing, schools, leisure and retirement homes.

The idea: A head turner that shows that life has many stages and there is an Allura vinyl floor for every phase along the way.

Final advertisement.

Allura for life

Life is a play with many acts. The new Allura Luxury Vinyl Tiles collection is there to support you every step of the way. Carefully designed to be flexible, easily laid, durable and – vitally – to give you the design freedom to bring any interior to life.