MadTree was approached by Broadway in Cincinnati and the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden for a beer collab that supports the upcoming show “Water for Elephants” and funding for the elephants at the zoo.
Knowing the beer was to be a light lime lager and that the elephants at the zoo are Asian elephants, I made these the focus of the can. Two elephants embracing each other on the front emphasizes the name “Gentle Giant” while also alluding to the caring act of the beer funding the elephants at the zoo. Flanking the two elephants are limes, making it as though the viewer is peering through the vegetation to get a glimpse at the animals. For the beer name, I used a font that resembled elephants particularly in the I, A, and T in that the stems transition into the shape of an elephant foot. I also elongated and curled the G chins to imitate the trunks joined above.
In celebration of women for International Women's Day, MadTree has a series of Sway cans that highlights a woman of importance each year. For 2026 the woman chosen to be celebrated is Maya Angelou. The design heroes a portrait of Maya and features two of her most championed works: I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings and And Still I Rise. Also incorporated are pineapples and marshmallows which visually allude to the flavor.
Whispering Pines is a beer commissioned to MadTree by Party Source. Taking creative direction from the dark liquor style and the release date being in winter, I illustrated a cabin in the snowy woods at night. The glow of the windows, the smoke from the chimney and the stars in the sky all evoke a cozy atmosphere perfect for drinking a stout.
Rising sparkling water is a fictional drink catered towards young adults based on the zodiac signs. Each zodiac has it's own unique flavor that pairs perfectly with their signature personality along with a horoscope that you are destined to identify with.
