I’ve yet to meet someone who hasn’t felt the considerable gravitational pull of the Wes Anderson aesthetic. Anderson’s work is unquestionably mesmerizing, immersive, playful, artistic, and, most of all, charmingly bizarre.
Inspired by the same visual appeal of a Wes Anderson film, Can-Tini is the market’s latest ready-to-drink espresso martini brand. The can, designed by Saint Urbain, captures a vintage aesthetic that fuses the client’s dream of merging the Wes look and feel, 60s and 70s James Bond movies, and a splash of Italian allure. The result? A cheeky, stylish can that immediately captures consumers.
“Our clients exact words were: Wes Anderson meets James Bond. Campy, confident, and stylish,” says Alex Ostroff, Founder and Creative Director of Saint Urbain. “To us James Bond is the sexy, social, 60s side of Can-Tini. The feeling of an event and a party. And Wes Anderson is the more campy, unserious, and 70s side of Can-Tini, where every poster and prop in the film is really intentional with lots of character. We wanted the can to almost feel like a movie prop, the way MENDL’S felt in Grand Budapest Hotel.”
At first glance, the typography is irresistibly overwhelming. With its orange hues and Italian-influenced Art Nouveau and Art Deco detailing, the emphasis on stout curves and elegant, flowing lines creates a sense of vibrance. And while the type itself is large in scale, demanding immediate attention, the orange hue maintains the same sense of energy.
“We went with Italian references mainly because espresso is Italian, but also our client was pulling a lot of vintage Amalfi Coast vacation inspiration, which we were totally tracking with,” shares Ostroff. “Old photos of young people on boats, Slim Arons, colorful bathing suits, funky cocktail glasses. It’s a vibe and culture that we were very drawn to and really helps express the brand. We also haven’t seen any other canned drinks really take ownership of that theme and aesthetic, which was exciting for us.”
The rich green and orange paired with the cream background work wonderfully, bringing in a sense of classic Italian charm. The bold and contrasting color combinations enhance legibility and create a visually striking impact. “For us orange is a big 70s color that we all loved and just felt right. It’s festive, jovial, and pops, which we knew would be key for the packaging, which would be almost completely logo based,” Ostroff mentions. “It contrasts the green perfectly, which is a wink to the coffee, since that’s its color before it’s roasted. We decided to make it darker to give it a little velvet and sophistication.” Further, the warm orange, earthy green, and cream hues evoke a sense of timeless nostalgia.
Ordering an espresso martini at a bar comes with a certain sense of excitement. But Saint Urbain’s packaging system for Can-Tini ensures that even when consumers get their jollies from a can, they’re not losing the rush that’s frequently accompanied by the libation when sipped at a bar.
