OlssønBarbieriOB
Work
Studio
Tutto

Limonade

Balholm is a family-owned producer of drinks based on the west coast of Norway in an area historically known for growing fruit. With abundant access to local fruit and generations of know-how as growers, they make non-alcoholic drinks known for their delicious tastes.

We were asked to design the packaging for their new range of Lemonades, made with Elderflower and Raspberries.
To celebrate the simple recipe and pure flavors of these sparking drinks (they are both made with only 5 ingredients), we looked back to vintage fruit wrapping papers to create playful and charming illustrations where the ingredients become the main characters.

A cheery exclamation point pops at the end of its bespoke central typography, hovering above anthropomorphic fruit and flowers inspired by vintage labels, with a modest color palette to create a charming and memorable effect.

The anthropomorphic representations of the ingredients, seen in the optics of contemporary eco-philosophy, attempt to recognize each ingredient as a living species to be appreciated for their beauty and taste, clearly setting the drinks apart from the industrial scale competition, which often used artificial flavors.

Anthropomorphic cards and labels

Anthropomorphism is a form of personification in which plants or animals are given human traits and abilities, such as walking, talking or even drinking. They have ancient roots as storytelling and artistic devices, and most cultures have traditional fables with anthropomorphised animals or plants as characters.

Trade cards were common in the 18th century, the most popular ones were with anthropomorphised veggies or fruit. These cards were essentially an early form of advertising for a business or trade — promoting the product being advertised, or creating amusement for people to get attention for a brand.

1. Victorian pea card (1880s)

2. Detail from Fruit wrapper

3. Harrisson Soda pop label

4. Man with Potato Head (1886)

To pair with the vernacular charm of the vintage references, the illustrations are made with only three colors, built up by layers to emulate screen printing (more economical and typical of the fruit wrappers).

The paper stock has an irregular texture, giving life and variation to the printed surface. We also developed a custom calligraphic word mark for the product name, weaving together with the illustrations. On the side, the single label tells a short story about the fruit-growing legacy of Balholm in the Sognefjord, together with illustrated icons of the main ingredient.

2023
Tessas Eplegård
An organic orchard in Hardanger practicing interspecies friendship
2023
Kokkeløren
Meal-kits made by chefs
2023
Avamposto Gin
Infused with locally sourced botanicals and lavander harvested in the slopes
2023
Stereoscope Coffee Roaster
Restoring appreciation of coffee as a living plant
2022
Himkok RTD
Made with Himkok´s legendary unaged Aquavit
2022
Chelan Beauty
An organic farm in Washington articulating a new idea of deliciousness
2022
The Cocktail Factory
A new range of RTD's, following the success of Shake-it Cordials
2022
Limonade
Soda inspired made with Raspberries and Elderflower
2022
Becco Winebar
Natural wine, music, and culture in a backyard in Tullinløkka (Oslo)
2021
Pursue Hard Seltzer
A range of sparkling sodas for grown-ups. Made in India
2021
Château Picoron
Making wines by honouring natural and self imposed constraints
2021
We live in the house across the street
The second novel by photographer and writer Morten Andenæs.
2020
Stavanger Ysteri
The cheese maker that made it to Maaemo
2020
Shake-it Mixer
Bringing cordials back to the "Art of Mixing". Crafted in Copenhagen.
2020
Ambijus
The Lab is our terroir. A range of alcohol-free wine alternatives.
2020
Hovelsrud
A farm on the island Helgøya doing regenerative agriculture, with ecological chickens and an edible garden
2019
Rekedal Pølsefabrikk
Traditional, family driven sausage factory in Follebu
2019
Nykr
Handmade and ecological skincare made by Cecilie F. Egeberg
2019
Himkok
Oslo is the home of the world's most sustainable bar
2019
Gullmunn Spritfabrikk
The creation of Marthe Bøhn, pioneering in a male-dominated business
2019
CF18 Chocolatier
A Norwegian engineer-turned-chocolatier
2018
Holmen Crisp
Bringing back the joy of baking to a gluten-free living
2018
Tales of (33cl)
These are the tales of Vodka, Gin and Rum
2018
Braastad Cognac
Cognac for special occasions that feels modern and accessible
2018
Pins
A selection of our projects made into pins
2018
Oslotre
Good and honest buildings sustainably produced in wood
2018
Sepoy & Co
Indian tonic, made in India, by Indians
2018
"Du, jeg, og Erik"
A naked and vulnerable first novel by the photographer Morten Andenæs
2018
Tales of (70cl)
A captain, a barman, a mule and two lucky friends
2017
Gilde Juleaquavit
Celebrating 30 years and giving honour to a master distiller
2017
Snåsa Water
Creating a contemporary vessel for the most humble of all drinks
2017
Babylife
A range of ecological products for the care of mother and child
2017
Hellstrøm Sommer
Medicinal plants are at their strongest if collected on Midsummer night
2016
Malbrum Parfums
Norwegian parfumes by Kristian Hilberg and nose Delphine Thierry
2016
Balholm Handverkcider
Craft cider from deep inside the Sognefjord
2016
Backe i Grensen
The last standing family-owned department store in Oslo
2016
Balholm Epledram 6666
The story of the gardener and his 6666 apple trees
2016
Balholm Fruktvin
The Medieval Scandinavian wine was made of fruit
2015
Lysholm No 52
After 52 trials of the recipe, distiller Ivan Abrahamsen was satisfied
2015
Cantina Zaccagnini
In Norway, this is called the "Pinnevin" – the 'stick wine'
2015
Territoriet Winebar
An unpretentious wine bar with serious wines in the center of Oslo
2015
Løiten Aquavit
Founded in 1855 as a collaboration between regional farm distilleries
2015
Hellstrøm Gløgg
A traditional Scandinavian winter beverage of warm wine with an infusion of spices
2014
Karin+Sondre=Sant
When you find the other half - a wedding invitation
2014
Fiin Gammel Portviin
In 1923 a deal with Portugal ensured port wine to Norwegians in exchange for cod
2014
Hellstrøm Juleaquavit
Recovering pagan agricultural symbols for the spirit of Christmas
2013
Pietro di Campo
A range of wines inspired by Italian gestures
2013
Principiano
One of the first natural wines in Norway
2013
Bamsrudlåven Gårdsis
Mysen is famous for Jan Garbarek – and now ice cream
2013
Bodega La Serrana
A rural organic wine from Bierzo
2012
Cuvée S
Shakespeare, Sonia Delaunay and concrete poetry in a bottle
2012
Animasjonsdepartementet
Oslo-based production studio doing animations, films and installations
2012
Alberto Fenocchio
Creating a sense of place through local decorated ceramics
2012
Hellstrøm Aquavit
A Michelin starred Chef and his Aquavit - redefining a category language
2012
Villa Cafaggio
Pioneering the use of premium Italian papers to elevate wines in BIB