Food And Drink Packaging Designer
Branding, logo design and packaging design for Rooted - a new startup energy drink brand based in the UK
Food And Drink Packaging Designer
I was approached by the guys at Rooted, as they were looking for a food and drink packaging designer, and freelance graphic designer, to design their brand identity, and packaging design for their new range of natural energy drinks. Rooted are a start-up brand - based in the UK, producing natural yerba mate energy drinks. I designed a bold and colourful brand, and packaging design with custom hand-drawn patterns to help them really stand out on shelf, and against competitors. The drink is now available to buy from independents including Keelham farm shop, in Yorkshire, and also from Amazon.
Branding & Packaging Design for Natural Energy Drink Brand Rooted
If you’re interested in the strategy behind food and drink packaging design, you can read my guide here:
Food & Drink Packaging Design Guide for Startups
You can also explore more branding and packaging projects here:
View branding & packaging design projects
Beverage Packaging Design for Functional Drink Brands UK
Packaging design within the functional beverage and energy drinks category needs to carefully balance several key factors:
Strong shelf visibility
Distinctive brand personality
Clear product communication
Modern health and wellness positioning
Consistency across multiple products and flavours
For Rooted, the goal was to create a visual identity that felt energetic, modern, and distinctive while still communicating the natural ingredients and healthier positioning of the drinks.
The packaging system also needed to scale effectively across future product extensions while maintaining strong brand recognition.
THE CHALLENGE
The main challenge was creating a brand identity that could compete visually within a crowded energy drinks market while still feeling authentic and natural.
Many energy drink brands rely heavily on aggressive visual systems or overly corporate branding, making it difficult to create differentiation while maintaining a more health-conscious positioning.
The objective was to create a bold and memorable identity with strong shelf impact while reinforcing the natural and independent feel of the brand.
THE SOLUTION
We began with brand strategy and positioning to define how Rooted should sit within the modern functional beverage market.
From there, I developed:
A bold logo design
A vibrant visual identity system
Packaging design for the product range
Custom hand-drawn patterns and graphics
Bright colour palettes to improve shelf visibility
The final design direction creates a strong and recognisable visual identity that helps the products stand out clearly against competitors while maintaining a more natural and approachable brand feel.
THE OUTCOME
The result is a cohesive food and drink branding and packaging system that positions Rooted as a modern and energetic functional drinks brand with strong retail appeal.
The refreshed visual identity improves shelf recognition and creates a more commercially distinctive brand presence across both retail and e-commerce channels.
The drinks are now stocked through independent retailers including Keelham Farm Shop in Yorkshire, as well as online via Amazon.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What does a food and drink packaging designer do?
A food and drink packaging designer creates branding and packaging systems for food and beverage products, helping brands improve shelf impact, communicate product positioning, and strengthen consumer recognition.
Do you design energy drink packaging?
Yes — I specialise in food, drink, wellness, and FMCG packaging design, including energy drinks, functional beverages, supplements, and health-focused brands.
Why is packaging important for beverage brands?
Packaging plays a major role in helping beverage brands stand out in competitive retail environments while clearly communicating product benefits and brand positioning.
What makes effective energy drink packaging design?
Strong energy drink packaging design combines bold branding, clear communication, strong shelf visibility, and a distinctive visual identity that helps products stand out against competitors.
Do you work with start-ups and established brands?
Yes — I work with both start-ups and established FMCG and beverage brands looking to launch, refresh, or reposition their branding and packaging systems.
NEED HELP WITH PACKAGING DESIGN?
If you’re launching or refreshing a food, drink, or FMCG brand and need a UK-based packaging designer, I can help create strategic branding and packaging systems designed for real-world retail performance.
Dave Jones Design is an award-winning freelance packaging designer specialising in food, drink, and FMCG branding and packaging design.
With over 10 years of experience, I help startups and growing brands create commercially effective packaging design systems built for retail and e-commerce success.
Looking for a UK-based food and drink packaging designer to help with your next packaging design project?