Behind the Scenes: Designing the Hella Cocktail Margarita Cans

Today, I’m pulling back the curtain on one of the most rewarding projects of my career—designing the Hella Cocktail ready-to-drink margarita cans. There’s truly nothing like walking into a store, spotting your design on the shelf, and thinking, Wow, I made that happen! So let’s dive into the journey from concept to creation.

A Bit About the Client

Hella Bitters is a cocktail company offering a mix of alcoholic and non-alcoholic products. When I came on board, their branding was already established, so I didn’t get the chance to build it from scratch (a little bittersweet, pun intended). However, they gave me a golden opportunity to breathe new life into their margarita line.

The big challenge? Deciding whether to stick with their existing branding or go completely rogue. Spoiler alert: we went rogue, and I loved every second of it!

The Design Process: A Creative Rollercoaster

This project was anything but straightforward. We started with a mix of concepts that explored how we could weave in familiar brand elements while adding a fresh, modern twist. Think vibrant colors, playful illustrations, and lots of negative space to keep things sleek.

Here’s where it got tricky: the copy for the cans wasn’t finalized when we started. This meant lots (and I mean LOTS) of revisions as we adjusted to new messaging. If you’ve been here, you know the struggle. But with an hourly rate (pro tip: always bill hourly for evolving projects), I stayed flexible and kept the creative energy flowing.

Experimenting with Styles

One of the best parts of this project was experimenting with different styles. I pulled out my iPad, sketched some abstract textures, and even explored a Conté crayon pastel style that eventually made it to the final design.

We tried everything—from 80s-inspired vibes (not my personal favorite) to super minimalist layouts and even tropical island aesthetics. Not all of it stuck, but the process was a fun way to get all the “what ifs” out of our system.

The Big Breakthrough

Around round six or seven (yes, there were that many rounds), we revisited an illustration style I had pitched early on. It was bold, fresh, and exactly what the margarita cans needed. The client fell in love with the textured, hand-drawn fruit illustrations that made each flavor pop.

Fun fact: I used three distinct colors—mid-tone, highlight, and outline—for each illustration, giving them depth and character. This custom artwork became a huge selling point, making the brand’s cans stand out in a sea of competition.

Lessons Learned

Looking back, I learned a lot from this project. Early on, I let the client take the lead on direction, but I realized how important it is to trust your gut and advocate for your creative insights. Don’t be afraid to say, “Hey, here’s what I think would work best based on research and expertise.”

That said, collaboration is a two-way street, and the final design wouldn’t have been the same without the client’s input. It’s all about finding that sweet spot between your vision and theirs.

Seeing It All Come Together

The final result? Vibrant, flavor-forward cans that practically jump off the shelf. The photography captured everything beautifully, and it’s such a joy to see these designs out in the world. If you ever spot Hella Margarita cans at your local store, snap a pic and tag me—I’d love to see you enjoying them!

Your Turn!

What’s been your most rewarding creative project? Did it go exactly as planned, or did you learn something unexpected along the way? Drop a comment below—I’d love to hear your stories!

And if you’re craving more behind-the-scenes content, check out my other posts on Creative by DSGN. Let’s keep creating magic together! 🎨✨

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