We build brands, products, and services for tomorrows needs.
We pursue meaningful impact with the smallest footprint possible.

Strategic Branding

  • In a world saturated with messages and offerings wherever you look, brand design can be a key differentiator in helping you stand out and resonate with target audiences.

  • Engaging with our clients, we provide insight and advice on how to approach and realize ideas an efficient and meaningful way, tailoring our process and team to meet their expectations. We also provide counselling on where and how to seek funding and support if necessary.

  • Through research we gather insight about our clients, their field of expertise, the competition they face and how to efficiently enter the market. This knowledge is at the basis for everything we do further down the line.

  • A strong brand is based on a solid platform, giving the brand meaning and direction. Utilizing different tools, we help brands build a foundation that invokes the right images and feelings in their target audiences and ensures that everyone involved is moving in the same direction.

  • Giving a brand, service, or product the right name, is crucial. In many cases the name is the target audiences first encounter with the brand. Through our methodical approach to naming, we help you find a name that resonates with your audience. We can also help you register your name to protect your brand from infringement.

  • A strong brand identity is the most important tool to communicate who the brand is, what it stands for and what it can do for its audience. Utilizing graphic design, we build, strong, recognizable identities that last, have room to grow with the brand and adapt to the future.

  • To ensure that the brand identity is implemented in a correct and cohesive way, we establish complete design systems that ensure correct use of all brand assets and simplify production of branded materials.

  • Utilizing design thinking we aid brands in defining, developing, and designing services, whether it is an app, a new product, physical environments, or an online store.

  • In many cases, packaging is the most important touch point for a brand, establishing a direct connection with the target audience. We design effective and appealing packaging while always making sure we utilize the most sustainable solutions available.

  • Launching the brand is the utmost test to see if it delivers as planned. We make sure the physical representation and application of the brand is consistent across all media, both visually and verbally. This also helps us evaluate the brand identity in real life, informing us of any iterations that are needed to optimize its performance in different settings.

  • Our relationship with our clients doesn’t end after launching. A brand needs to be communicated to the right audience and in the appropriate channels to succeed and grow. We offer a wide range of services to support and communicate any brand across platforms and media.

Sustainable Packaging

  • It’s beneficial to view packaging as a system. Taking a systemic approach emphasizes the importance of holistic thinking, crucial when working in a multidisciplinary and complex field.
    Packaging decisions are easy if you only focus on the needs of the end consumer or the distribution needs. Our goal is to design packaging systems that consider functional and emotional requirements from all stakeholders.
    Every project and client are unique. The optimal solution balance desirability of the user, technical feasibility, and economic and environmental viability.
    Packaging projects vary in complexity. Below we’ve described common steps in an innovation process – your project could involve one or all these steps.

  • Together with the client we start the innovation process by defining a Packaging Design brief. This helps the project team to develop and share a holistic packaging view by defining the needs and requirements from all the stakeholders in the products life cycle.
    Based on these requirements we develop packaging concepts. Different formats, materials, textures and printing methods are explored. These are presented and evaluated using sketches, prototypes, and 3D visualisations.

  • The most effective way of decreasing risk is to do your homework in advance. Research and testing require resources, but this cost is minimal compared to a failed product launch. We can facilitate and run tests relevant for your packaging project:

    – Desirability of the user
    – Handling and shelf impact in shop
    – Compression and transportation tests
    – Material compatibility tests
    – Efficiency at packing line
    – Print proofing

  • Innovation processes are rarely linear and “bump-free”. You need to ideate, prototype, test and refine. Some details might need to be solved in close co-operation with the packaging and machine supplier.
    We also provide packaging specs. These can include technical drawings, 3D-files and die-lines. Specs also define any texture, color, and printing techniques.

  • We can help you find a competitive and reliable supplier for your business. It is advantageous to have an early idea of the annual volume, the number of product variants and any delivery terms. These factors will affect which suppliers would be a good match for your project. by north co-operates with a broad range of packaging suppliers.

  • We oversee the process until the products are launched. We help you establish quality control procedures and attend the production start.

  • We work on innovation projects where it could be necessary to upgrade existing equipment or invest in new packing lines. As designers we can help you to make sure the packaging leaves the filling line with the functional and aesthetic standard required. Together with clients we search for and brief machine suppliers. Machine flexibility is a core requirement. The combination of packaging design, materials and machinery can have a significant impact on this.

  • As a brand owner you need to be aware of EU Directive 94/62 and other regional regulations, for example the Norwegian Waste Regulation.

  • Food Contact Materials are materials that come in direct contact with food. There are strict safety requirements for these types of materials when it comes to material types, production facilities and documentation. We have experience with manufacturers with expertise within material selection and production in clean zones.

  • Packaging is a multidisciplinary field. People from different departments will have their perspective on existing and future packaging solutions. It is wise to develop and implement a "packaging guide". The packaging provides a structured, easily understood, and practical guideline for packaging development and give suppliers information about existing guidelines and specifications.