SAGO

Edible Insect Packaging

Logo • Branding • Packaging

CREDIT

© Alex Ryo Shimotake 2018

MY ROLE

Logo Design, Branding, Visual Identity, Business System, Research, Packaging Design, Prototyping

Background

Among declining natural food sources, insects provide a highly sustainable protein alternative. However, insect consumption is largely stigmatized in the West.

Targeting this issue, I created and designed a brand for an imagined edible insect company called SAGO, based on the sago palm weevil. This included a logo, business system, and packaging for retail.

The goal was to create a simple yet elegant brand that would bring the idea of edible insects into the public eye as an enticing food source.

Logo

When creating the logo, I was conscious to avoid blatant insect imagery and to create something unique and memorable that would open people’s minds to the concept of edible insects. I knew I wanted something new, striking, and elegant. The resulting logo incorporates elements that abstract the idea of the sago plant as well as the palm weevil form & patterning.

Packaging

The challenge here was to find a packaging solution that was fully functional and easy-to-use, while still being interesting enough for a consumer to be drawn to an unfamiliar product.

I underwent several iterations of rapid prototype models to achieve the most successful product. I ended up with a coffee-bag-style resealable mechanism with a foldable accordion-style core.

Reflection

The main challenge of this project was creating sustainable packaging that would use materials efficiently but also be attractive to new consumers. Ultimately I believe it was a successful project in that respect.

One aspect I would have continued to look deeper into is the edible insect product itself. While I did some research, I believe there was more to explore in terms of considering the best way to serve the food product. There are options where the insect itself is dried and served just as-is, or options where it is used as more of an added ingredient in another snack food.

Perhaps another interesting direction this project could have gone in would have been exploring different flavors. I could expand the brand identity to highlight each of the flavors, possibly with more colors or different imagery.