Shakinu Hawaiian Made Whiskey (Student Project)

Creative Agency: Eric Collier
Photographer: Bill Wikrent
Project Type: Student Project
School: University of Wisconsin – Stout
Course: Product and Packaging Design
Tutor: Nagesh Shinde
Location: Menomonie, Wisconsin, United States
Packaging Contents: Flavored Whiskey
Packaging Materials: Glass Bottle, Cork, Burlap, Ink

Whiskey on the beach never felt better than it does with a cold bottle of SHAKINU. This Hawaiian Made Whiskey is a three flavor series, featuring LEHUA HONEY, PINEAPPLE LUAU and COCONUT PALM. Each accentuates around a native specialty of the Hawaiian Islands. All three flavors will leave any drinker with an authentic taste of Aloha that will have you coming back to SHAKINU time and time again.

Eric Collier, Senior Graphic Design student at UW-Stout, created this mock-brand in hopes of developing a Whiskey that reverberated that “hang loose” aura that is so alive within Hawaiian culture. Inspired by tiki heads, and Polynesian tribal art, an iconic “Shaka-Man” logo was developed. His nurturing gaze isn’t telling you “I am going to get you drunk”, but rather “Let’s get drunk together”. This was essential to the visual language. While the color palette is rather earth-toned, the saturated splashes of oranges and yellows resonate the perfect amount tropical energy. Any more tropical, and the boldness that Whiskey embodies would be lost.

Each bottle initially comes in a screen-printed burlap sack, enlivening the energy of the product on the shelf. The natural material says “From the Locals” to a drinker, further immersing him/her into the Hawaiian experience that comes with any bottle of SHAKINU. An abstracted graphic representing each flavor is embossed upon the cork wood caps.

What’s Unique?
SHAKINU loosens up the bold formality that is often attached to Whiskey brands. This brand attracts a wider demographic than your typical Whiskey audience.