RUNA tasked internationally award-winning design studio Vault49 to conceptualize, design, and produce RUNA’s rebrand of their ready-to-drink teas and energy drinks brewed from the Amazonian guayusa leaf.
Guayusa has a rich cultural heritage. The leaf has been brewed and consumed in the Amazon for centuries by indigenous people and is revered for its health benefits and energy-giving powers. Families will gather at dawn around a communal fire and drink guayusa together. They come together to share stories, dreams and myths. Indigenous people say that this tradition and guayusa are essential to making them feel RUNA – meaning fully alive. Guayusa has a lot of caffeine—more than most bottled teas—making it a popular choice for consumers looking for a natural and sustained energy boost. Many consumers enjoy guayusa because it allows for more focus, alertness and sustained energy without the crash as compared to coffee or traditional energy drinks.
Guayusa is one of the only teas in the world that is grown exclusively by farming families. Guayusa is grown in bio-diverse forest gardens and is a tool for creating economic incentives for rainforest conservation. The look and feel of the new packaging reflects the pure, spirited and clean energy of the brand, with clean white space and light watercolor design, while respectfully translating indigenous identity and heritage.
