Arobase Creative have recently won two categories in the UK Packaging Awards 2022, taking home the first-place position in both Branding Project of the Year and Retail Limited Edition of the Year. Arobase Creative worked on the Falklands 40th Anniversary Commemorative Spirit Collection, creating the branding and packaging design for this special new launch.
The launch of the Falklands Collection marks 40 years since Argentina invaded the Falkland Islands, a British Overseas territory inhabited by people who had no intention of being ruled by Argentina. The Spirit Collection reminds us of the sacrifices made by so many, and the immense challenge of the deployment of the task force, sailing 8000 miles from the shores of the United Kingdom to liberate the Falklands.
Alongside Dropzone Brewery, Arobase Creative worked to create the brand and packaging for a set of limited-edition spirits. Using the three themes of Land (whisky), Sea (rum), and Air (gin), they took inspiration from uniform colours, military insignia, battle maps, authentic letters, and historic photographs, to create a premium and modern brand that recognises the importance of such an event.
To commemorate what can be a largely sad anniversary due to the immense losses due to war, Arobase Creative were diligent to remain sensitive to the suffering of the invasion of the Falkland Islands. Therefore, their research focused mainly on the positives. They drew inspiration from the heroes, the brave, and the brilliant tacticians and engineers who helped to successfully liberate the Falklands. To commemorate these important people, each bottle features a metallic foil neck label that resembles the design of the South Atlantic Medal awarded to British military personnel and civilians for service in the Falklands War.
The launch of the Falklands Collection was especially notable because all profits of the launch went to the South Atlantic Medal Association 82 (SAMA82). This is an organisation formed by veterans of the Falklands War, with the aim of establishing and maintaining contact with other organisations involved in the welfare of the Armed Forces. They help ensure that due consideration and support is given to the interests of South Atlantic veterans, meaning their work is essential, and a poignant part of the ongoing efforts to commemorate the War. Each spirit in the Falklands collection was limited to the production of 258 bottles, one bottle to mark every person who lost their life in the liberation of the Falklands.
Not only is the collection hugely personal and poignant, but it was also incredibly successful, with one set sold at auction for £3000. This is only a further reflection of Arobase Creative’s strong work, which was lauded by the judges of the UK Packaging Awards as a “well thought through project with excellent research and an all-round inclusion of the whole story”. It was also noted how the collection was a “truly unique limited pack with a story to match”.
