Llamacita Sauce Co.

Opportunity: Grocery store shelves are awash with a chaotic array of hot sauces claiming to be the hottest or most extreme, often with flames or not-so-subtle references to your…ummm…derrière. What Llamacita Sauces saw was a lack of flavor and originality, and nothing approaching an authentic taqueria sauce that emphasized flavor over heat.

The Change: Llamacita Sauces was inspired by the roadside taco stands dotted along the beaches of Southern California. We created a fun mascot for the brand, the Llamacita, and paired that with a custom typography solution that referenced hand-lettered signs. We accentuated the flavors for each sauce with variations to the central llama illustration, making each packaging design unique and memorable.

Impact: The resulting Llamacita brand exudes vibrant–and natural–colors and a vintage California vibe that appeals to younger consumers and influencers alike. Clear labels and glass bottles give a high-end aesthetic while extolling the naturally vibrant colors of their freshly made sauces.

Curator’s Insight: The design of Llamacita Sauces is successful in creating a distinctive and memorable brand that communicates its values and personality. The design also showcases the variety and richness of the sauces, and invites consumers to try them out and enjoy them. The design is consistent across the different flavors, but also allows for some variation and customization that adds interest and charm. The design is aligned with the current trends of natural, organic, and artisanal products, but also adds a touch of nostalgia that makes it stand out from the competition.