# AKERBELTZ

AKERBELTZ is a conceptual packaging project for a Basque sparkling cider aimed at young adults seeking fresh, social and visually distinctive products. The project repositions cider from a traditional rural drink to a contemporary, urban and festive experience, without losing its cultural roots.

The concept is built around Akerbeltz, a powerful mythological figure from Basque culture symbolizing protection, strength, ritual and collective energy. This character becomes the visual and symbolic core of the brand, connecting cider with ancestral traditions, carnival spirit and celebration. While cider packaging often relies on green, natural and conservative codes, AKERBELTZ deliberately breaks away from them to create a bold and emotional visual language.

The packaging design draws inspiration from Basque carnivals, where masks, mythology and collective rituals create an intense visual and emotional atmosphere. These carnivals share values such as identity, community, transformation and celebration, which align naturally with the act of sharing cider. By choosing carnival as the visual territory, the project introduces a narrative that is unexplored within the cider market.

The solution is a strong, icon-based packaging system centered on a single, memorable symbol: the Akerbeltz figure holding apples and traditional sticks, directly referencing cider-making and local culture. The illustration is bold, graphic and highly recognizable, designed to work as both a label and a brand emblem. A limited color palette dominated by intense red contrasts with the green glass bottle, creating maximum visual impact and shelf visibility.

The design was developed through illustration, vector graphics and typographic contrast. A bold, expressive display typeface reinforces the rebellious and theatrical personality of the brand, while a clean, modern sans-serif ensures legibility for secondary information. The system is flexible and scalable, applied consistently across different formats: 75cl bottles, 250ml bottles and a six-pack designed for social consumption.

What makes this packaging unique is its radical reinterpretation of tradition. Instead of nostalgic or folkloric visuals, AKERBELTZ transforms Basque mythology into a contemporary graphic language that feels confident, festive and modern. The bottle itself becomes a cultural symbol rather than just a container, turning the product into an object of identity and expression.

As a result, AKERBELTZ creates a distinctive presence within the cider category, appealing to a new generation of consumers who value design, authenticity and shared experiences. The project demonstrates how packaging can elevate a traditional product into a bold, contemporary brand while staying deeply connected to its cultural origins.

HTML page: https://packaging-world.netlify.app/work/2026/01/akerbeltz

Materials: Glass, Ceramic

Categories: Alcohol, Craft Beer

Tags: Alcohol, Craft Beer

Designer: Valentinamartin