I absolutely love watching cannabis brands develop and grow.
I want to take some time to step back from talking tech to simply admire beautiful things.
I also want to share my applause for trendsetters while opining on them in contrast with ideas and concepts that can help up-and-comers up their ante and join the party.
Let’s take a look at this stuff constructively, tie it to some art history for foundational sake, and break down why we love it.
01. Fat Type & Thick Lines
Why I love it:
It’s callbacks to the graphic design glory days of the 1960s and 1970s rebooted for a new generation and for new lifestyles. I love finding the old stuff still existing as faded paint on old brick walls and metal signs. I love seeing it evolve through the hands of talented designers for the cannabis industry even more.
Generally speaking once a decent style guide is established, it often extends very easily and beautifully to all kinds of marketing assets, be it emails, website heroes, or whatever.
The roots of the style:
Who’s doing it well:
Houseplant
Revitalized, youthful and vibrant colors pair with solid, time-adoring typography to make this brand stand out above the heap. It takes craft and commitment to boil down such a broad concept to this precise and elegant execution.
Pure Edibles
Drifting delightfully deeper into that 70s vibe, strong, unique typography raised with that signature emboss sends these right up our ally, and high on our list.
02. Victorian Revival
Why I love it:
The beginnings of the style:
Who’s doing it well:
Beboe
Willie's Reserve
03. Geometric & Modern
Why I love it:
Absolutely Timeless. Your mind doesn’t have to wander far to discover why this is such a powerful style. My favorite thing about it is the variation it offers, while still working well together.
Saturated big-block colors? Sure. Pair it with thin geometric black and white lines? No problem. Versatile, extendable, and straight up slick.
Where the style was born:
Who’s doing it well:
Theory Wellness
Theory’s products exude an experienced and edited approach. Intricate straight lines and angles focus the direction and accentuate the brand’s ethos.
The stark contrast of typography stands out clearly on the product packaging for instant brand gratification. The bold use of color in ancillary assets brings a modern interpretation to the style. All elements together promote an enduring permanence to the brand that is inescapably enticing.
Van Der Pop
Looking back gives us a glimpse of what the future holds.
Branding, product positioning, and package design will always hold a special place in the cannabis industry.
Whether it’s about demanding attention within crowded shelf space, defiantly distinguishing yourself in a crowded market, or cementing brand authority in our brains, we’re excited to see what’s yet to come.
And as we all know, there is so much more to come.
