Today’s ecological approach to agriculture is inviting us to think about how everything is connected. Tessas Eplegård’s work is one based on collaboration and friendship with the natural habitat, exploring alternative ways to the current practice.

In Tessa and Ander’s own words: “Farming organically is more labor-intensive than the traditional methods where the use chemicals against pests and weeds is common. This is a method we do not want to pursue, as we believe it is not what the future should look like. With our background in biology, we are both aware of the importance of insects in our orchards and of their intrinsic value. There is a big interplay of species, especially during the summer, and we try not to disturb that balance. We operate organically not only to avoid injecting residues into our apple juice, but also for the insects and birds out there that deserve to live in a good environment. There are many considerations and responsibilities to take as a farmer; knowledge is required, and it is constantly developing …”

Our task was to create the brand identity and packaging for Tessas apple juice, cider, and honey, while exploring a more honest storytelling for a local farm, helping people to appreciate the difference between conventional farming practices and a new radical approach to fruit growing.

In the search for desirable futures, we wanted to engage different senses and sensibilities to speculate about a world of coexistence. The concept ‘Hello friends, we come in peace’ makes an effort to understand ourselves as part of the ecosystem and to bring us closer to those “others” that have been excluded from discourse, creating a new proximity that generates different types of relationships and care. While birds and other critters, might damage fruit crops on the farm, they also provide services that can benefit fruit growing. Animals and insects are important collaborators at the farm. Taking steps to conserve and enhance bird populations on the farm provides natural pest-control services while also benefitting biodiversity.

The naming for Tessa’s Eplegårds products are inspired by the birds, insects, and diseases considered “enemies of apple trees.” Each product is playfully thanking each critter for its contribution to the life on the farm. While we have designed all of Tessas products, the juices were the first to be produced.

The first products launched are three single varieties of apple juice in a 3-liter bag in a box (3l BIB). The apple juice is called “Dompap,” one of the migratory birds who likes to eat apples.
To support a small-scale production, a common 3l BIB design printed in one color is differentiated by two labels. One label illustrating the birds on an apple tree branch, positioned on a debossed area. On the short side, a color-coded label system presents each apple variety as a character in a playful and humorous way. The box is glue-free with an integrated handle, to avoid any use of plastics.