It reminds me of Jibby’s old product!
https://preview.redd.it/yhc8svimm0kc1.jpeg?width=2160&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=5474330b3afd79ba00583b2dbcafbae1d038589c
Woa yeah this is very reminiscent of that jibby work. If that’s already out in the world I feel like the new one is wayyyy to close in both concept and execution.
My first impression is that it’s a can of disinfectant.
Show me some zest! Colour, as a stripe, blast cloud, racing stripes or even cartoon motion marks around the tin man. I would also use thicker lines for him to convey strength. And his expression is questioning, like “ Is this cola?”, I would make him kicking a soccer ball or even a cheerleader… show some zest!
Take this as constructive criticism, as in an art class.
Especially since zest is also associated with citrus id personally love to see some bright citrus colors.
and just a little more zest in general.
Minimalism can work but this is just boring
bro dont get overwhelmed by the comments. but yeah, do take note. some very good advices. never post here to get praises, post here to learn. I'd say white can wouldn't look good in reality. this design is very very very simple for something funky tasting if you know what I mean? its a cola. it will bubble in your mouth. so feel that bubble, visualize the feeling of bubbling in your mouth in colors, in lines even illustrations. just go for the FEELINGS, dont go for trends. minimalism very often kills design
Don’t apologize: just listen and learn! It’s an opportunity for you to grow. Failure is one of the keys to success in my book. What helps me is to put myself in the consumer’s place. What do I see when I see this product? Is it effective? You’re doing more than those sitting on their hands.
good design talks to the customer about the brand. is zest cola a blend simple drink? NO, the name suggests that is has a Zest in it. a bit of classic craziness, energy. and does energy stay calm? no, it runs around like crazy. put thay crazyness on the can. so that it will tell the customer, hey buy me, I am have something amazing waiting inside me. it will blow you away. I am colorful and hot, not blend and gloomy
Hey. You did a GREAT job!! And well done!! I love the minimalism continue with the same vibe but choose one color to add where zest makes it show. Maybe citrus palette. Blue tends to be used in water/ocean etc where fruitty liquids have orange/green etc. I actually like the concept but try other colors and show us. And try one sample with two colors.
Those two colors chosen would change in every product. Ex. The bag's pattern (which is so nice too) eyes would have the different color etc.
(Tried to explain as much as I can, really sorry, english is not my first language)
Keep up the good work!
Citrus palette YES! And maybe even taking some inspiration from risograph printing aesthetic? Which would also lend itself to the retro feel OP was going for with their illustration graphic
Great point! This would look really cool. So whatever the flavor is that's what the accent color on the can would be. Purple for grape orange for orange pink for raspberry etc!
You don’t have to apologize bro, people are just giving their opinions and as they say opinions are like buttholes… everyone has one and some are shittier than others.
Sorry, but I think this is rather bland and just trying to hop on trendy visuals to carry the lack of thought is lazy. The T in zest looks like an IUD. The strapline isn’t strong enough to carry the simplistic style. A bland can with pink ‘cola’, a plastic baggy, and a bottle top? Make it make sense.
At first I thought “okay this isn’t too bad”, and then a few slides in I realized that it was 100% the mockups carrying all the weight and anything the designer designed was not doing anything.
feels very pinterest "brand design" copy and paste. I get annoyed with young designers these days only being able to follow trends but having no actual intellectual understanding of how brands actually work. and I say this as a person still in their 20s lol
Zest Cola on 2 lines or smaller. You want the brand name visible without having to turn the can - think about how it appears on the shelf. Same for the taglines.
Design is ok, style is a trend very much at the end of its lifespan though. Colours are fresh. Serif font is lovely but could maybe do with a tiny stroke just to up the legibility.
I'm trying to figure out why this post has a couple of hundred upvotes because this is not good graphic design. You have a semi-cute, super-simplistic illustration, a brand name, and not one, not two, but three taglines.
Figure out what content should actually be on the can before you do anything else. Stick with one tagline at most and include the factual information consumers need.
Create an illustration that is fitting for your product and not just a generic picture of the container it comes in. I recommend not creating a character that would make it difficult to sell your product in containers of other shapes or materials.
I would redo the Zest Cola "logo" because you've chosen to use a typeface that has thins that are so fine, that you can't use it small. Even on your can, you've had to use it so big that it makes it difficult to read the full name because it wraps too far around the edges of the can. Showing it small on the bottle cap should have already been enough for you to realize the problem and the need to find another solution.
When you create mockups, be careful that you don't go too far in screwing up the colors in an unnatural way because it makes it look as if you don't know how to use the software.
Else, you have to do more with the design in general. This is too basic.
Graphic design is all about applying critical thinking. But here, you're just giving away a bunch of things to criticize. Before you just throw together a bunch of mockups, think about what you're doing.
Not too much to add, which hasn’t been said already.
• Concept hasn’t been fully thought out, the character really shows off the thought process for the design. Just a shrug 🤷🏽♂️
• You need to work on the logo design and improve it before you can go full on branding like you did.
• It definitely looks like you are leaning on the mockup imagery to carry the design.
• Work on the character design, the logo, your color choices. Only then, once you have this figured out. Then move onto the packaging design.
While the soda can character is cute and does look vintage, it’s not giving anything to the branding. A soda can is the most basic graphic that comes to mind when thinking of soda.
The logotype and the can cartoon aren’t connecting to each other in any way and seem like two different brands.
Why is “refreshing taste of tradition” the only thing in black? Seems unintentional.
The plain white background looks unfinished instead of vintage (acme brand or generic as one other commenter said). Maybe pull in some other colors for the background, the 50’s had some great vintage colors to work with that would work great with the blue. Perhaps look at PopArt and old menus for inspiration.
In your mockups there are two different types of cans used, just use one type. If you’re showing a bottle cap, there should be a bottle design. The same soda can is shown with two different colors of soda, yet neither mockup mentions anything about flavor. Soda cans should also have other information (like volume and weight) on them besides the logo, look at exist soda cans to see what other information they have.
is the a school project? theres nothing really to critique because it doesnt feel like you put enough thought in this. This is super minimalistic which isnt "classic" - the only classic or retro aspect is the illustration - which the pose and expression don't make sense either. You need to do more research before diving into a brand identity and asking for advice. We shouldn't take the time with feedback if you didn't take the time researching.
My only feedback is that I see the combo of these illustrations with that typeface in just about every second project atm.. ironically its meant to be hipster but...is it really if everyone is doing it?
the plastic bag and bottle caps doesnt go with the collaterals . In some can mockups the whole design is visble from front but other cans are thinner and text seem to cut out .
Can illustration on a can does not go well and really thats the only brand asset besides all the text.
Copy says taste of tradition , yet nothing visually conveys that
I would add more visual assets and illustration, remove the can from the can. Change the copy
It's not that great. It has no indication on what it is you actually get. What flavor? Is it fruit flavored or Coke flavored? What makes it have "Zest"? And the cartoon guy kinda has a "Well, this is what you get..." shrug look that really isn't that appealing. It resembles this:
¯\\_(ツ)_/¯
to me. Sorry, I'd say scrap it and start over.
There are a 1000 designers that do this style really well. I don’t hate on anyone jumping onto trends, but you need to be able to execute as well as the work that’s already out there.
I didn’t know the Schoolhouse Rock “I’m just a Bill” character makes soda now.
https://preview.redd.it/dduca11771kc1.jpeg?width=1525&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=031537fcd54493a9141b443a22e03291c54a24bb
You'll never get those hairlines ("zest cola") to print well with flexography or silkscreen or any other way of applying text to the bottlecap.
You really should consult with a printer before starting product design work so you don't end up wasting your time on stuff that's impossible or that will give the shop a huge headache down the line.
Also, I doubt very much that a "refreshing taste of tradition" would use modern illustration, or a clear or pink cola. If you're calling it traditional, it would look traditional – otherwise your tagline and your product are at odds with each other, which consumers distrust.
Finally, long horizontal lines of text curving along the can will be illegible in most display situations and as you can see they're already hardly legible on your own ad. Think of how it would look on a supermarket shelf! There is a reason that popular drink packaging doesn't look like this. It's OK to learn from things that work – it's not copying, so don't be afraid to learn product design strategies from other (successful) products.
The copy text on the can and the "just feel it" are very strange. What's going on with the can guy's right sleeve?
This feels AI generated
(ETA, I know that doesn't mean it is AI, but it has that vibe. It's doesn't feel thought out enough)
Is this for the Acme company? This reminds me of generic liquor that just had the words VODKA VODKA VODKA written on a white background. Are you truly serious? Because these layouts are not. Sorry, but these are beyond sophomoric.
Why? What’s the point? For your information, I have given MANY points of criticism in this subreddit in the past. But that’s when submissions put some actual thought into their work and by designers just starting out who deserved help and were just starting out in the biz. Now it seems to be about dealing with hobbyists who own a computer, some software so therefore they are now “designers.” Sorry, but just because I own a camera, does not make me a photographer. Owning a wrench does not make me a plumber. If you are serious about the work and are studying in the field. Great. But lately it seems to be about hobbyists who have too much time on their hands. There. Is that enough explanation for you?
Why the different drink colours ? Are there different flavours with very similar cans?
It’s not really there yet. And the bottle cap for a can is a bit weird too.
So bland. Nothing about the can character (although he’s kind of cute) says “zesty” in any way. He looks kind of bored. You need a much more dynamic design to convey zest. Colour, sense of movement, excitement etc.
I will be blunt. Back to the drawing board. This is minimalist gone bad. The title is hard to read, the visuals don’t help sell the product, the black near the title is competing with the product name, and in general, the design doesn’t make me want to try the beverage.
I’m guessing this is a school/ personal project. I’d look into regulatory requirements I.e fill size labeling, warnings ect. It seems too minimal to be remotely a real project
This design has potential, but it’s like only 15% of the way there and there’s not enough to warrant sticking with this concept. Not going to mince words but I’m not being mean I swear lol just to the point
The white reads as lazy/boring. It’s too much. The can is mostly empty. “But minimalism” no, this is not serving the product
Speaking of the product, so it’s a zesty classic cola? Ok, well there’s not much communicating that to me. A cute simplistic semi retro mascot who is also very boring/uninspired/devoid of personality. The mascot should be embodying the spirit of the product, so where the ZEST? Where’s the OO BABY? Totally lacking, see what I mean?
My other comment is on the layout. We’re talking as basic as it gets. It’s just 4 rows center aligned. The edges of the rows are even gridded in a block. So we have
* Very sparse boring layout
* Dominant color of white and a blue accent
* boring mascot
* boring composition
* nothing is connecting conceptually to anything else
* whole design is hinting on the mock-up graphic and the font
I think this design is quite too simplistic. The color blue you chose also is not working. The blue feels so corporate and is not at all the colors of a tasty drink. I think you need to change your font combo. That script-ish font looks way too fancy next to the bold sans serif. The character illustration is okay. It needs some more personality I feel.
I say this in the nicest way but start over. These retro characters ppl want to shove in every design are starting become wayyy too over done to the point it sucks the soul of the design. The packaging gives no information. What's the flavor? I understand you're going for minimalism, but without key information it looks unfinished
The mockup quality is great, but the actual can design is very weak. Just from the name being Zest, I'd probably go for way more vibrant colours, possibly verging on Neon to emphasise the branding. There's also just not enough imagery on the can. Your illustration of the character should be much bigger, as well as the text.
There is a lot of potential here, but I think it needs reworking.
the character design on the can is pretty cool. but the design is just a bit plain. it's not eye catching enough to stand out. probably needs some level of block colour to stand out a bit
One of the most important things to point out on the first photo that hasn’t been talked about ITT yet is the ice/condensation blocking your mascot. You have to get rid of that. Distorting or obstructing your character/logo/name is always a mistake
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the aesthetic is nice but a little too “trendy” looking. if i saw this in stores i wouldn’t be interested in picking it up because there is more draw to it other than it being aesthetic pleasing
Adding some random information to the can could make it more realistic (Maybe it is alc.%, or flavor, play more with typography) and more interesting without losing interest in the illustration (I think that's where you're expecting to lead the attention) add levels of information and don't be afraid of playing with it.
Overall I like the aesthetic of it, the colors and typo. Also that mockup with the glass is 😚🤌 muah chef kiss
I agree with the general sentiment of comments but just wanted to emphasize: a shrugging mascot isn’t even sure they believe in the product, so why would I, as the consumer?
Zest Cola's retro logo embodies a nostalgic charm with its classic soda can design in a delightful baby blue and white color scheme. The baby blue exudes a sense of tranquility and innocence, while the white adds a touch of purity and freshness
It is imperative to acknowledge that the resemblance of a comment to AI does not inherently imply its AI-driven origin. Certain individuals possess writing styles that may resemble AI-generated content. Thus, it is prudent to exercise caution and refrain from making unfounded judgments based solely on this observation.
So is the intent to be tranquil or zesty? When I think of the word zest, I think bold and punchy colors like lemons and limes. Do you have a write up on the brand? What’s their target audience? What words would the brand use to describe themselves? If they were a person at a party, what would they be doing (ie petting the cat in the corner or starting up a dance floor)?
Commenters here can do a simple critique on overall look, but it’s hard to gauge if this is working without a brand identity write up. Right now it’s a very trendy looking, but doesn’t have soul. I think if you dug into who Zest Cola is, it’ll help you adjust your work into a more successful look and feel.
It’s a little generic and sterile. Give the cartoon can more personality. Maybe a prop? Maybe a different pose? Reference brand mascots from the ‘90s if you need inspiration. Right now he looks like he’s doing a Larry David shrug of indifference… not sure that will sell the soda.
where's the nutrition info? look at real life canned drinks (both alcaholic and non-alcoholic) and see what infomation is on them. adding this will make your project look more realistic
I know this is a design subreddit but since others have already weighed in, I'll just say the tagline is more concerned about the design than the product. It's a soda, not a can.
Soda needs to stand out. Don’t try to design based off of modern sodas like ollipop and poppi. They all have the super simple pastel aesthetic and it’s so hard to discern which is which.
Think about all the iconic brands. It’s color and styling that makes them stand out. The logo and colors are big, bold, and loud. So much so that knockoffs just match the color and you know what type of soda they’re trying to knockoff.
If I saw this can in a store, I’d think it’d be some overpriced hipster water with the styling.
Zest Cola and “just feel it” can be the base for grand branding. Embrace that branding and work from it.
Image 1 & 3 of your mock-ups are distractingly fake. The water dew and nails are not cut properly and it takes away from the legitimacy of this product. Regardless of what direction you decide, please update the presentation! Overall it’s playful and fun to see a box on a box.
From a cartoon perspective, the stroke/line-weight on the outlines of the character could be thicker than the inside lines/details.
Does that make sense?
It's not good, sorry.
You need to start over and think about what message you want to get across.
It's dull. The text is wrong in every sense. The clipart looking character looks like he doesn't care or is bored. Needs colour and excitement. Make it pop!
I almost really love it, but it feels a bit stale and lifeless. While I like the typeface, it comes across like “picked a font and typed the letters” vs. a more specialized/intentional wordmark. The soda can man is perfect.
Go down to the supermarket and put a mockup on the shelf next to its competitors and see how it does. (you can even turn your back to the shelf while someone else places it, then turn around and see which brands you see first before yours.)
This may seem really nitpicky but...
I'm looking at the shadow from his soda can body on the ground
...and then I'm comparing it to the shadow at the top of his legs and the top of his right arm
...and the angle of the assumed light that's creating the shadows does not seem consistent.
Also what is this shadow mark under his left arm?
So the cans come in two different sizes (I see tall and short can mockups)?
Also you have a bottle cap but where is the bottle?
And if the mascot is a can then why would it come in bottles?
I like the character, but the packaging is telling me nothing, nor the colors. What's the flavor? Is it tasty?, what kind of soda is it? Or maybe it's sparkling water.
Make sure to show the costumer the info they need to know what's the product about, otherwise they might lose interest bc they don't know what they'll be buying
It's pretty nice, I like it 
Reminds me of Brew You that Kristy Campbell did on an Adobe Live.
https://preview.redd.it/r6hmwfphrbkc1.jpeg?width=1284&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=ce9862fc45d1ee5696e1ba81531ed924ad54a2e7
Next time use the correct flair. This is sharing work.
Everything else aside, putting a graphic of a can on a can is very funny.
It reminds me of Jibby’s old product! https://preview.redd.it/yhc8svimm0kc1.jpeg?width=2160&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=5474330b3afd79ba00583b2dbcafbae1d038589c
Woa yeah this is very reminiscent of that jibby work. If that’s already out in the world I feel like the new one is wayyyy to close in both concept and execution.
Yeah I agree. I think the “indulge in timeless refreshment” font is the same as Jibby’s.
This was the first thing I thought of. Way too close to this design, font, and color scheme.
Psst - just wanted to say lovely work!
Thank you! That’s very kind of you to say :)
Except Jibby is actually good and works on a vertical can orientation. I’m surprised (but also not) that this is getting upvoted…
Agreed. My money's on pretty mockups and a fun character. It's nice illustration but bad design.
Very meta!
Very meta!
Very metal can
My first impression is that it’s a can of disinfectant. Show me some zest! Colour, as a stripe, blast cloud, racing stripes or even cartoon motion marks around the tin man. I would also use thicker lines for him to convey strength. And his expression is questioning, like “ Is this cola?”, I would make him kicking a soccer ball or even a cheerleader… show some zest! Take this as constructive criticism, as in an art class.
I agree. I don’t think of zest when I see this blue. I like the design but the colors are off putting.
Especially since zest is also associated with citrus id personally love to see some bright citrus colors. and just a little more zest in general. Minimalism can work but this is just boring
>I would make him kicking a soccer ball or even a cheerleader Whoa! Kicking a cheerleader might be a bit too zesty don't you think? /s
Hahaha bad grammar hurts!!!
I'm sorry I know I know I did a lot of mistakes or maybe I don't understand how brands work enough
bro dont get overwhelmed by the comments. but yeah, do take note. some very good advices. never post here to get praises, post here to learn. I'd say white can wouldn't look good in reality. this design is very very very simple for something funky tasting if you know what I mean? its a cola. it will bubble in your mouth. so feel that bubble, visualize the feeling of bubbling in your mouth in colors, in lines even illustrations. just go for the FEELINGS, dont go for trends. minimalism very often kills design
Don’t apologize: just listen and learn! It’s an opportunity for you to grow. Failure is one of the keys to success in my book. What helps me is to put myself in the consumer’s place. What do I see when I see this product? Is it effective? You’re doing more than those sitting on their hands.
good design talks to the customer about the brand. is zest cola a blend simple drink? NO, the name suggests that is has a Zest in it. a bit of classic craziness, energy. and does energy stay calm? no, it runs around like crazy. put thay crazyness on the can. so that it will tell the customer, hey buy me, I am have something amazing waiting inside me. it will blow you away. I am colorful and hot, not blend and gloomy
Hey. You did a GREAT job!! And well done!! I love the minimalism continue with the same vibe but choose one color to add where zest makes it show. Maybe citrus palette. Blue tends to be used in water/ocean etc where fruitty liquids have orange/green etc. I actually like the concept but try other colors and show us. And try one sample with two colors. Those two colors chosen would change in every product. Ex. The bag's pattern (which is so nice too) eyes would have the different color etc. (Tried to explain as much as I can, really sorry, english is not my first language) Keep up the good work!
Citrus palette YES! And maybe even taking some inspiration from risograph printing aesthetic? Which would also lend itself to the retro feel OP was going for with their illustration graphic
Great point! This would look really cool. So whatever the flavor is that's what the accent color on the can would be. Purple for grape orange for orange pink for raspberry etc!
You don’t have to apologize bro, people are just giving their opinions and as they say opinions are like buttholes… everyone has one and some are shittier than others.
Want to try to make a mock-up for a brand I’m trying to start?! Understand if you don’t
I don't make mockups I downloaded them
I think they mean they want what you posted, in their brand? Like you to design a logo
Can you explain what you need exactly?
I’m making a thc tea beverage I want a simple but clean design but I’m not too rushed right now just wanted to see if I could get some free help
Sorry, but I think this is rather bland and just trying to hop on trendy visuals to carry the lack of thought is lazy. The T in zest looks like an IUD. The strapline isn’t strong enough to carry the simplistic style. A bland can with pink ‘cola’, a plastic baggy, and a bottle top? Make it make sense.
Not the IUD… I can’t unsee it.
At first I thought “okay this isn’t too bad”, and then a few slides in I realized that it was 100% the mockups carrying all the weight and anything the designer designed was not doing anything.
feels very pinterest "brand design" copy and paste. I get annoyed with young designers these days only being able to follow trends but having no actual intellectual understanding of how brands actually work. and I say this as a person still in their 20s lol
10-15 years ago, it was “hipster branding”. Everything was heritage, even if it was brand new. We’re just on a new trend.
As a 47 yr old, i wasn’t going to say it but yeah. Know the rules so you can break them, don’t be lazy.
people just need to be more creative
Zest Cola on 2 lines or smaller. You want the brand name visible without having to turn the can - think about how it appears on the shelf. Same for the taglines. Design is ok, style is a trend very much at the end of its lifespan though. Colours are fresh. Serif font is lovely but could maybe do with a tiny stroke just to up the legibility.
NGL, that is one shady looking drink.
I'd really like to know how that plastic bag with the destroyed label ended up in this mix.
Cola is an alternative to Coke. Coke is a drug. Drugs need little baggies.
Come is a helluva drug
Lol... Fixed. Autocorrect didn't like coke lowercase
The irony of it is that I was making a joke on ur autocorrect and also got autocorrected too lol. Definitely did not mean to call it a cellular drug 💀
That slide gave me psychic damage.
The can illustration is like "yeah, idk why I'm here either"
I'm trying to figure out why this post has a couple of hundred upvotes because this is not good graphic design. You have a semi-cute, super-simplistic illustration, a brand name, and not one, not two, but three taglines. Figure out what content should actually be on the can before you do anything else. Stick with one tagline at most and include the factual information consumers need. Create an illustration that is fitting for your product and not just a generic picture of the container it comes in. I recommend not creating a character that would make it difficult to sell your product in containers of other shapes or materials. I would redo the Zest Cola "logo" because you've chosen to use a typeface that has thins that are so fine, that you can't use it small. Even on your can, you've had to use it so big that it makes it difficult to read the full name because it wraps too far around the edges of the can. Showing it small on the bottle cap should have already been enough for you to realize the problem and the need to find another solution. When you create mockups, be careful that you don't go too far in screwing up the colors in an unnatural way because it makes it look as if you don't know how to use the software. Else, you have to do more with the design in general. This is too basic. Graphic design is all about applying critical thinking. But here, you're just giving away a bunch of things to criticize. Before you just throw together a bunch of mockups, think about what you're doing.
Not too much to add, which hasn’t been said already. • Concept hasn’t been fully thought out, the character really shows off the thought process for the design. Just a shrug 🤷🏽♂️ • You need to work on the logo design and improve it before you can go full on branding like you did. • It definitely looks like you are leaning on the mockup imagery to carry the design. • Work on the character design, the logo, your color choices. Only then, once you have this figured out. Then move onto the packaging design.
While the soda can character is cute and does look vintage, it’s not giving anything to the branding. A soda can is the most basic graphic that comes to mind when thinking of soda. The logotype and the can cartoon aren’t connecting to each other in any way and seem like two different brands. Why is “refreshing taste of tradition” the only thing in black? Seems unintentional. The plain white background looks unfinished instead of vintage (acme brand or generic as one other commenter said). Maybe pull in some other colors for the background, the 50’s had some great vintage colors to work with that would work great with the blue. Perhaps look at PopArt and old menus for inspiration. In your mockups there are two different types of cans used, just use one type. If you’re showing a bottle cap, there should be a bottle design. The same soda can is shown with two different colors of soda, yet neither mockup mentions anything about flavor. Soda cans should also have other information (like volume and weight) on them besides the logo, look at exist soda cans to see what other information they have.
is the a school project? theres nothing really to critique because it doesnt feel like you put enough thought in this. This is super minimalistic which isnt "classic" - the only classic or retro aspect is the illustration - which the pose and expression don't make sense either. You need to do more research before diving into a brand identity and asking for advice. We shouldn't take the time with feedback if you didn't take the time researching.
My only feedback is that I see the combo of these illustrations with that typeface in just about every second project atm.. ironically its meant to be hipster but...is it really if everyone is doing it?
the plastic bag and bottle caps doesnt go with the collaterals . In some can mockups the whole design is visble from front but other cans are thinner and text seem to cut out . Can illustration on a can does not go well and really thats the only brand asset besides all the text. Copy says taste of tradition , yet nothing visually conveys that I would add more visual assets and illustration, remove the can from the can. Change the copy
It's not that great. It has no indication on what it is you actually get. What flavor? Is it fruit flavored or Coke flavored? What makes it have "Zest"? And the cartoon guy kinda has a "Well, this is what you get..." shrug look that really isn't that appealing. It resembles this: ¯\\_(ツ)_/¯ to me. Sorry, I'd say scrap it and start over.
Two words. Trend chaser.
There are a 1000 designers that do this style really well. I don’t hate on anyone jumping onto trends, but you need to be able to execute as well as the work that’s already out there.
I didn’t know the Schoolhouse Rock “I’m just a Bill” character makes soda now. https://preview.redd.it/dduca11771kc1.jpeg?width=1525&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=031537fcd54493a9141b443a22e03291c54a24bb
“Zest Cola” made me chuckle
Very bland and minimal for what this should be marketed for. “Zest” and “cola” should give you lots of ideas for colours and design
You'll never get those hairlines ("zest cola") to print well with flexography or silkscreen or any other way of applying text to the bottlecap. You really should consult with a printer before starting product design work so you don't end up wasting your time on stuff that's impossible or that will give the shop a huge headache down the line. Also, I doubt very much that a "refreshing taste of tradition" would use modern illustration, or a clear or pink cola. If you're calling it traditional, it would look traditional – otherwise your tagline and your product are at odds with each other, which consumers distrust. Finally, long horizontal lines of text curving along the can will be illegible in most display situations and as you can see they're already hardly legible on your own ad. Think of how it would look on a supermarket shelf! There is a reason that popular drink packaging doesn't look like this. It's OK to learn from things that work – it's not copying, so don't be afraid to learn product design strategies from other (successful) products.
The copy text on the can and the "just feel it" are very strange. What's going on with the can guy's right sleeve? This feels AI generated (ETA, I know that doesn't mean it is AI, but it has that vibe. It's doesn't feel thought out enough)
Is this for the Acme company? This reminds me of generic liquor that just had the words VODKA VODKA VODKA written on a white background. Are you truly serious? Because these layouts are not. Sorry, but these are beyond sophomoric.
Worth pointing out that while there are a lot of slams in here, yours is one of the only ones devoid of constructive criticism.
Why? What’s the point? For your information, I have given MANY points of criticism in this subreddit in the past. But that’s when submissions put some actual thought into their work and by designers just starting out who deserved help and were just starting out in the biz. Now it seems to be about dealing with hobbyists who own a computer, some software so therefore they are now “designers.” Sorry, but just because I own a camera, does not make me a photographer. Owning a wrench does not make me a plumber. If you are serious about the work and are studying in the field. Great. But lately it seems to be about hobbyists who have too much time on their hands. There. Is that enough explanation for you?
Feel better?
Do you???
Why the different drink colours ? Are there different flavours with very similar cans? It’s not really there yet. And the bottle cap for a can is a bit weird too.
So bland. Nothing about the can character (although he’s kind of cute) says “zesty” in any way. He looks kind of bored. You need a much more dynamic design to convey zest. Colour, sense of movement, excitement etc.
Miss Minutes?
I will be blunt. Back to the drawing board. This is minimalist gone bad. The title is hard to read, the visuals don’t help sell the product, the black near the title is competing with the product name, and in general, the design doesn’t make me want to try the beverage.
I’m guessing this is a school/ personal project. I’d look into regulatory requirements I.e fill size labeling, warnings ect. It seems too minimal to be remotely a real project
if generic was a brand
This design has potential, but it’s like only 15% of the way there and there’s not enough to warrant sticking with this concept. Not going to mince words but I’m not being mean I swear lol just to the point The white reads as lazy/boring. It’s too much. The can is mostly empty. “But minimalism” no, this is not serving the product Speaking of the product, so it’s a zesty classic cola? Ok, well there’s not much communicating that to me. A cute simplistic semi retro mascot who is also very boring/uninspired/devoid of personality. The mascot should be embodying the spirit of the product, so where the ZEST? Where’s the OO BABY? Totally lacking, see what I mean? My other comment is on the layout. We’re talking as basic as it gets. It’s just 4 rows center aligned. The edges of the rows are even gridded in a block. So we have * Very sparse boring layout * Dominant color of white and a blue accent * boring mascot * boring composition * nothing is connecting conceptually to anything else * whole design is hinting on the mock-up graphic and the font
The can guy looks like Mr. Towelie from South Park.
Don't forget to bring a can!
Mr. Cannie
It's kinda boring. Needs another color. I can see what you're going for with the minimalism but just blue and white reminds me of medical products.
I think this design is quite too simplistic. The color blue you chose also is not working. The blue feels so corporate and is not at all the colors of a tasty drink. I think you need to change your font combo. That script-ish font looks way too fancy next to the bold sans serif. The character illustration is okay. It needs some more personality I feel.
Three taglines is too many taglines.
The taglines don’t even make sense. What tradition? What makes this timeless? What are you supposed to feel?
Overdone trend
I say this in the nicest way but start over. These retro characters ppl want to shove in every design are starting become wayyy too over done to the point it sucks the soul of the design. The packaging gives no information. What's the flavor? I understand you're going for minimalism, but without key information it looks unfinished
The mockup quality is great, but the actual can design is very weak. Just from the name being Zest, I'd probably go for way more vibrant colours, possibly verging on Neon to emphasise the branding. There's also just not enough imagery on the can. Your illustration of the character should be much bigger, as well as the text. There is a lot of potential here, but I think it needs reworking.
I like it, but i would like to see shorter text width, because headings are hard to read from front. Sry, my eng is funny.
the character design on the can is pretty cool. but the design is just a bit plain. it's not eye catching enough to stand out. probably needs some level of block colour to stand out a bit
One of the most important things to point out on the first photo that hasn’t been talked about ITT yet is the ice/condensation blocking your mascot. You have to get rid of that. Distorting or obstructing your character/logo/name is always a mistake
Wait am I the only one that kinda likes it, it could be the blue though, it’s a very nice color
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That’s not Cola?
You have all the right elements for a fun modern brand, but the execution feels uninspired.
Reminds me of Last Resort AB shoes.
yes! love that brand ♡
the aesthetic is nice but a little too “trendy” looking. if i saw this in stores i wouldn’t be interested in picking it up because there is more draw to it other than it being aesthetic pleasing
I mean it’s every current trend on the market rolled into one design. It needs more “you”.
I’m in love.
Are you English ASL or did you just phone it in on this one?
Bland. The editing is well done but it gives me nothing
9/10, I subtracted one because the first image has a water drop that is too big, it looks like Pinocchio's nose.
Love the fonts. Everything else is bland AF.
Ignore the haters, You're doing awesome! The character is really cute! I feel as if yellow detailing would go well with this design <3
Adding some random information to the can could make it more realistic (Maybe it is alc.%, or flavor, play more with typography) and more interesting without losing interest in the illustration (I think that's where you're expecting to lead the attention) add levels of information and don't be afraid of playing with it. Overall I like the aesthetic of it, the colors and typo. Also that mockup with the glass is 😚🤌 muah chef kiss
Nice work, where do you get your mockups
I agree with the general sentiment of comments but just wanted to emphasize: a shrugging mascot isn’t even sure they believe in the product, so why would I, as the consumer?
Zest Cola's retro logo embodies a nostalgic charm with its classic soda can design in a delightful baby blue and white color scheme. The baby blue exudes a sense of tranquility and innocence, while the white adds a touch of purity and freshness
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This paragraph also brought to you by AI. Or a nerd.
So is the intent to be tranquil or zesty? When I think of the word zest, I think bold and punchy colors like lemons and limes. Do you have a write up on the brand? What’s their target audience? What words would the brand use to describe themselves? If they were a person at a party, what would they be doing (ie petting the cat in the corner or starting up a dance floor)? Commenters here can do a simple critique on overall look, but it’s hard to gauge if this is working without a brand identity write up. Right now it’s a very trendy looking, but doesn’t have soul. I think if you dug into who Zest Cola is, it’ll help you adjust your work into a more successful look and feel.
Why i cant post work without it getting deleted but you can ?
How would OP know?
He might be a hacker
Sorry?
reminds me of Cold Ones Grog! but less fun
It’s a little generic and sterile. Give the cartoon can more personality. Maybe a prop? Maybe a different pose? Reference brand mascots from the ‘90s if you need inspiration. Right now he looks like he’s doing a Larry David shrug of indifference… not sure that will sell the soda.
give him a soda can
where's the nutrition info? look at real life canned drinks (both alcaholic and non-alcoholic) and see what infomation is on them. adding this will make your project look more realistic
I kinda hate the expression and gestures of the mascot. He's like "Idk" and I'm not sure why. Also what is up with the baggy?
the walking thing with eyes and hands has to go its cheap
can looks like it's shrugging or did a goof. make it zesty !
I know this is a design subreddit but since others have already weighed in, I'll just say the tagline is more concerned about the design than the product. It's a soda, not a can.
Looks too on trend. This style is bloody everywhere. Create a unique brand, something that stands out. Not a copycat just because it is cool
Soda needs to stand out. Don’t try to design based off of modern sodas like ollipop and poppi. They all have the super simple pastel aesthetic and it’s so hard to discern which is which. Think about all the iconic brands. It’s color and styling that makes them stand out. The logo and colors are big, bold, and loud. So much so that knockoffs just match the color and you know what type of soda they’re trying to knockoff. If I saw this can in a store, I’d think it’d be some overpriced hipster water with the styling. Zest Cola and “just feel it” can be the base for grand branding. Embrace that branding and work from it.
Image 1 & 3 of your mock-ups are distractingly fake. The water dew and nails are not cut properly and it takes away from the legitimacy of this product. Regardless of what direction you decide, please update the presentation! Overall it’s playful and fun to see a box on a box.
From a cartoon perspective, the stroke/line-weight on the outlines of the character could be thicker than the inside lines/details. Does that make sense?
Nice, but it already feels dated.
Tasty
The T looks like an IUD
It's not good, sorry. You need to start over and think about what message you want to get across. It's dull. The text is wrong in every sense. The clipart looking character looks like he doesn't care or is bored. Needs colour and excitement. Make it pop!
I almost really love it, but it feels a bit stale and lifeless. While I like the typeface, it comes across like “picked a font and typed the letters” vs. a more specialized/intentional wordmark. The soda can man is perfect.
The droplets don't have the right index of refraction
First and foremost with bottle or can design the name needs to fit comfortably on the front so it’s readable on the shelf. This does not.
Eh.
Go down to the supermarket and put a mockup on the shelf next to its competitors and see how it does. (you can even turn your back to the shelf while someone else places it, then turn around and see which brands you see first before yours.)
This may seem really nitpicky but... I'm looking at the shadow from his soda can body on the ground ...and then I'm comparing it to the shadow at the top of his legs and the top of his right arm ...and the angle of the assumed light that's creating the shadows does not seem consistent. Also what is this shadow mark under his left arm?
The piece of ice under his eye looks like cum
So the cans come in two different sizes (I see tall and short can mockups)? Also you have a bottle cap but where is the bottle? And if the mascot is a can then why would it come in bottles?
I think Zest Cola should be more bold and colorful. The graphic of the can is fine as is. I’d walk right past it in the store as is.
Why the ziplock bag?
I can't wait for tik tok and Pinterest to stop overusing that same cartoon character model. It's played out
I really like your design, I'd definitely buy it. I love minimal/modern things and the illustration is adorable! :)
Your grammar is off on the last line
less droplets on the first pic
It looked like batteries 🥲
Looks like a brand you’d see in a dollar store.
Third slide is confusing, why is the glass so full yet the angle of the can is so minimal for pouring?
https://preview.redd.it/xz0fi2wlg5kc1.png?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=ff42aaa8161430fba210d8b5402cdf48fab2c2dc
On image three, you’re missing a little bit of the can near the lip
To me the mascot looks a little shady, he’s like “hey want to take a gamble?! 😉😉”
I like the character, but the packaging is telling me nothing, nor the colors. What's the flavor? Is it tasty?, what kind of soda is it? Or maybe it's sparkling water. Make sure to show the costumer the info they need to know what's the product about, otherwise they might lose interest bc they don't know what they'll be buying
cool retro-looking can
Is that the Dotties Vanilla font? 👀
Perfekt
So cute!
Completely distingues you fom Coco Cola, approaching with a more cool look
It's pretty nice, I like it 
Zest is already a soap.
When everything in the fridge is screaming eye popping colours, this will be the one that stands out.
Reminds me of Brew You that Kristy Campbell did on an Adobe Live. https://preview.redd.it/r6hmwfphrbkc1.jpeg?width=1284&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=ce9862fc45d1ee5696e1ba81531ed924ad54a2e7
what is the purpose of putting an illustration of a can on a can?
beautiful but the all white can makes me think it’s bad water or alcohol