Bottle Label Design

I undertook a personal project that enabled me to explore typeface design while narrating the story of my family history.

Packaging design, particularly bottle labels, is one of my preferred areas within graphic design. I appreciate the challenges presented by label dimensions, shelf space, and visibility. To demonstrate this, I created a series of bottle labels inspired by my family lineage.

Italy

My maternal grandfather was born in a small mountain town in the Umbria region of Italy.

Montefalco Sagrantino is a distinctive Italian wine originating from the Province of Perugia, located within Umbria, which is also home to the medieval town of Gubbio.

One of Gubbio’s most enduring legends is the tale of the Wolf of Gubbio, passed down since around the year 1220 and still a significant part of local heritage.

In brief, a man-eating wolf terrorized Gubbio’s residents, attacking livestock and eventually people. The frightened community was powerless until Francis of Assisi intervened. He courageously confronted the wolf and brokered a unique agreement: the townspeople would provide food for the wolf, and in return, the wolf would no longer harm the residents.

Ireland

My Italian grandfather married my grandmother, who was Irish. My middle name originates from her maiden family name, which traces back to the town of Portarlington.

Historically known as Cooletoodera, (derived from the Irish Cúil an tSúdaire, meaning “nook of the tanner”) Portarlington has been a charming settlement on the River Barrow since 1667.

On a lighter note, when thinking of Ireland, the term ‘fighting Irish’ comes to mind. A ‘Donnybrook’ refers to a large brawl or bar fight, and I can imagine that someone from my family lineage was involved in such an encounter at some point.

England

Both my Italian grandfather and Irish grandmother eventually relocated to West Sussex, the county where my mother was born. Located in South East England, West Sussex is a region rich in history.

Nestled near the South Downs, a range of chalk hills, the area has a long tradition of flint mining dating back to approximately 4000 BCE. During the Iron Age, Cissbury Ring, one of Britain’s largest hill forts, was constructed around 250 BCE.

Canada

My paternal grandfather grew up in Toronto, where he worked as a streetcar driver for what is now the TTC.

Coincidentally, my grandmother took his streetcar on her daily commute. After several weeks, their casual conversations during the rides developed into a friendship, which eventually blossomed into love. The rest, as they say, is history.

Jamaica

Having vacationed in Jamaica numerous times, I’ve developed a connection to Montego Bay and its local stories. If you’ve been there, you may be familiar with the legend of the White Witch. If not, I encourage you to explore the tale, and perhaps visit her grave someday.

This project provided a unique opportunity to experiment with typefaces in a meaningful, narrative-driven context. By designing labels that tell a personal family story, I was able to explore how typography can convey heritage, culture, and emotion beyond just legibility. Balancing historical references with modern design constraints challenged me to thoughtfully select and customize type treatments that enhanced the storytelling while maintaining clarity and visual appeal.