The Zhinga Farmer Initiative is an alcohol brand with the farmers at the heart of every aspect of the business. Not only will it help alleviate extreme weather related stress in the Himalayan area, but it will also help bind the community together and restore traditions.
I wanted the brand to have a crafty, traditional feel, to mirror its small batch production style. The design follows a vintage style bottle, with a wide body to showcase a large detailed illustration.
The illustrative style was inspired by vintage Himalayan stamps and maps, and contains a mature Juniper Tree with a hidden narrative of how The Zhinga Farmer Initiative can help farmers. The story shows everything from the juniper roots binding the soil to the increased standard of living as a result of the brand.
The bottle will include a limited edition paper wrap and a mini zine, briefly showcasing the brand story, and educating the customers about where the gin comes from and how it’s helping the environment.
This Ongkor festival is a traditional celebration each summer to entertain the Gods in order for them to provide a good harvest. This is slowly dying off due to farmers moving to cities to find employment. Zhinga will host a traditional festival and provide a social environmental for other Zhinga Farmers to get to know one another.
Many alcohol brands now have physical shops where they can sell their stock and create a perfect environment for the drinks. My Zhinga Bar can produce a beer called Sahti, which can be made from the juniper berries which have been discarded from the gin making process, allowing the farmers to get an increased level of reliable income.