Ephemeral Gin

Packaging + label design

OVERVIEW

Produced in Germany, Ephemeral Gin is a concept Gin that pays homage to the profound symbolism of 17th-century Vanitas art. They are produced in small batches and handcrafted with freshly foraged botanicals coming from the Black Forest in Germany.

MOOD

Moody & atmospheric, inspired by candlelit still lifes and shadowed interiors

  1. Botanical and archival, referencing old-world herbariums and naturalist etchings

  2. Timeless & antique, with aged textures, sepia tones, and subtle patina

  3. Dark but beautiful, balancing mortality with sensory pleasure

  4. Quietly dramatic, capturing the emotional weight of Vanitas symbolism

COLOR PALETTE

The color palette employed draws inspiration from the rich hues of autumn, carefully chosen to evoke a moodiness reminiscent of the atmospheric depth found in Vanitas' paintings.

TYPOGRAPHY

The typography selected for the logotype, named Klarissa Contour, was crafted by German Typographer, Dieter Steffmann, renowned for its frequent application in titles or headings. My choice of this typeface was motivated by its vintage aesthetic; its designer unbeknownst to me initially. Upon discovering the typographer's German origin, I found it to be an even more fitting complement for a Gin originating from Germany.

The other typefaces utilized were Brittany Signature for its handwritten style, Chapbook for its old-world charm, and Avenir for its legibility.

BRAND MESSAGING

Ephemeral is a gin that invites you to savor the present moment, because like the themes in Vanitas art, nothing lasts forever.

Crafted with wild German botanicals and illustrated through delicate etched drawings, the brand embodies both transience and beauty. Each element on the label is a subtle symbol: clocks for time, fruit for ripeness and decay, candlelight for consciousness, botanicals for life and renewal.

Ephemeral doesn’t just offer a drink… it creates a moment of poetic contemplation, a reminder to pause, breathe, and fully experience the now.

SOLUTION

The solution is an amber bottle inspired by old apothecary medicinal bottles. Each label contains illustrations of the botanicals within and vanitas illustrations such as an hourglass, burnt-out candle, and a fallen chess piece amongst other items.