My Zamzi. My Zambia.

We didn’t begin by asking what a water bottle should look like. We began by asking what Zambia should feel like.

Developed for a Zambian mineral water brand, the packaging began with a study of local youth culture—its rhythm, creativity, colour, self-expression and everyday passions. Rather than relying on conventional images of mountains, droplets or untouched landscapes, Zamzi looks at the people who give the place its character.

The label is built around a continuous illustration of young people immersed in the things that feel personal to them: music, movement, friendship, fashion, art and expression. Different characters and gestures come together as one lively visual world, giving the bottle a sense of community rather than a single fixed story.

A vibrant palette of blues, cyan, red and warm accents brings energy to the illustration while maintaining a strong relationship with water and freshness. The bold Zamzi wordmark sits within a clean white centre, creating contrast and immediate recognition against the more expressive illustrated areas.

This balance allows the identity and product information to remain clear without diluting the personality of the pack. The concept evolved from hand-drawn character sketches into a layered illustration system designed to wrap naturally around the bottle. Up close, individual moments invite discovery; from a distance, the colour and composition create a distinctive shelf presence.

The result is a mineral water label that communicates more than refreshment. It turns an everyday product into a small expression of place, culture and belonging.