Client: Iron & Grain Brewery
Project Link: https://www.behance.net/gallery/83724391/Fieldwork-Brewing-Brand-Identity

The Brief

A new craft brewery, Iron & Grain, needed a strong brand identity that could stand on its own in the visually saturated craft beer market. They wanted a brand that felt both industrial and rustic, reflecting their name and their location in a refurbished old factory building.

The Creative Strategy

The concept was “Crafted Grit.” We aimed to create a brand that felt masculine, high-quality, and authentic. The visual identity would blend industrial elements (like steel textures and strong typography) with rustic ones (like wood grain and hand-drawn illustrations). This duality would define the brand’s unique character.

Design Execution

• Logo System: We designed a robust primary logo featuring a bold, sans-serif typeface locked up with an icon combining a gear (Iron) and a stalk of barley (Grain). We also created a simplified secondary mark for use on bottle caps and other small applications.

• Can & Tap Handle Design: We developed a modular can design system. Each beer style was given a unique, hand-drawn illustration and color, but the layout and typography remained consistent, creating a strong, recognizable brand block on store shelves.

• Typography: We chose a powerful, condensed sans-serif font for headlines, inspired by industrial signage, paired with a classic serif for descriptions to add a touch of heritage and readability.

The Result

The branding was an instant hit. The strong and distinctive can designs created a loyal following and have become highly collectible. The brewery quickly became one of the most recognizable local brands, crediting the powerful identity with their rapid growth and distribution success.

Design Disciplines: Logo Design, Brand Identity, Packaging Design, Illustration, Typography