Custom Soda Can Branding

This project was created for ARTD 251 at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. It was an exploration into pattern generation and brand application, focusing on how abstract geometry and repetition can communicate identity. The goal was to transform a series of custom vector patterns into a cohesive branding system for soda cans, balancing structure, rhythm, and visual energy.

Year

2024

Industry

FinTech / Blockchain

Role

Product designer

Challenge

Develop original, visually consistent patterns that could function as both standalone art and applied brand graphics.
Explore how repetition, symmetry, and geometry influence perception in commercial design.
Translate digital vector work into a realistic product mockup while maintaining visual balance.
Create a family of designs that feel unified but distinct across variations.

Solution

Pattern Development: Designed three unique yet interconnected patterns through experimentation with symmetry and layering.
Color System: Selected a palette of cool, saturated blues and purples to emphasize contrast and modern appeal.
Brand Application: Applied the patterns to soda can mockups, testing scale, placement, and visual rhythm across different designs.
Exploratory Process: Iterated between vector generation and 3D visualization to refine the final branded outcome.

Impact

Gained a stronger understanding of how pattern, scale, and repetition influence product perception.
Successfully created a cohesive brand family using non-representational design elements.
Recognized for clear composition and attention to detail during class critique.
Sparked continued interest in blending visual systems with product design.