Ballard Extracts set out to change the image of an entire category. These small-batch, handmade products are intended to excite consumers and spark their imagination. David Cole Creative strived to elevate these products from “just another ingredient” to the centerpiece of a creative cooking experience. Using a bold, uniquely-shaped bottle with a heavy base was the first step in conveying quality to a consumer. The design aesthetic is derived from a synthesis of old and new with classic and modern.

“Ballard, now a trendy shopping, eating and drinking district, is a historic industrial and fishing neighborhood in Seattle – with a strong Scandinavian tradition. Elements of the brand pay tribute to this cultural heritage – and suggest a bygone era of pride in craftsmanship. The clean, almost-minimalist design has just enough carefully considered ornamentation to move beyond ‘modern’ and into ‘warm & inviting.’ Overall the brand and packaging are intended to be cheery, upbeat, comfortable, serious-but-friendly and ‘slightly fancy’

At the bottom of the label is an illustration, created from a collage historic photos, which shows Ballard’s iconic draw bridge and recognizable (to locals) elements of the marina and skyline.