Medora House

Process Mockups: Coffee Cup Packaging

Dec 2024 - Jan 2025

Design Firm: ADXR Studios

Client: Medora House

Type of Design Practice: Packaging, Culturally-Driven Design, Brand Identity

Role: Lead Packaging Designer, Brand Identity Developer

Main Software(s): Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, Procreate

Overview

The Medora House packaging design was developed for a start-up coffee company based in Rochester, New York. With roots tied to Congolese culture and a brand identity centered around the warmth of “breaking bread” with family, the design seeks to merge cultural homage with a modern, minimal aesthetic. The goal was to create a packaging system that not only communicates Medora’s identity but also feels unique, memorable, and seasonally adaptable.

Stage 1, 2, & 3 Intial Mockups

In the early stages of development, the focus was on exploring form, layout, and minimal visual direction before introducing cultural symbolism. Stage 1 mockups experimented with simple geometric layouts and clean typography to establish hierarchy and balance. Stage 2 iterations introduced the bold lowercase “a” logo wrapping around the cup, which quickly became a defining feature of the design. Stage 3 focused on refining layout placement, experimenting with the integration of stamp-inspired graphics, and testing how front and back separation could create a dynamic 360° brand experience. These stages served as the foundation for building toward the culturally rich, symbol-driven designs in later phases.

Process + Brand Identity Building

The design process began with extensive research into cultural symbolism, patterns, and storytelling techniques. I explored Congolese cultural references, including the national flower (water lily), the Tree of Life, and the “Four Moments of the Sun,” which represent the cycle of life. I also studied Adinkra symbols such as Ahoden (energy), Sankofa (learning from the past), and Fofo (peace) to integrate meaningful storytelling into the packaging.

Additionally, inspiration was drawn from modern art references like Keith Haring and Basquiat, incorporating bold linework and pointillism-inspired gradients to bring a contemporary, New York-inspired visual style. A digital Miro board was used to organize inspiration, followed by Illustrator iterations where multiple visual directions were tested and refined based on team feedback.

Rationale

The final packaging system balances cultural homage with modern minimalism, creating a unique brand experience. Each cup size is paired with a specific Adinkra symbol,

Ahoden (small, espresso/energy)
Sankofa (medium, reflection),
Fofo (large, peace)

… reinforcing Medora’s vision of warmth and connection. Seasonal color palettes ensure the design remains fresh and adaptive throughout the year, while the stamp-like graphics act as secondary storytelling elements, featuring hand-drawn flowers, maps, and Congolese-inspired motifs.

By merging symbolic African storytelling with a modern New York design sensibility, the Medora House packaging creates a memorable brand identity that stands apart from typical coffee cup designs. It reflects both the cultural roots of the founder and the energy of its urban setting, resulting in a system that is both meaningful and visually striking.

Finalized Designs