KAFFA x Renate Thor - this year's design

In 2018, KAFFA underwent an extensive brand overhaul to update our image. A decision was made to focus on our location in Oslo, Norway. As part of this initiative, we also started exploring what eventually became known as 'limited edition' designs for our coffee bags. Each year since then, we have commissioned new artwork created by a designer based in Oslo, whose name is printed on each bag.

Early in the process, we decided that our limited edition bags should refer to Oslo and its surroundings as inspiration for the design, and we eventually transitioned to focusing on different aspects of coffee as an experience. Our history of roasting specialty coffee dates back to the beginning of the century, and we wanted to strengthen this side of our identity. Wherever possible, we chose to avoid direct, obvious references to coffee or seasonal holidays. While the designs don't feature coffee beans or Christmas trees, the feeling behind these moments largely drives the development process. The new coffee bags were intended for occasions where one could feel special receiving them as a gift - to highlight a special coffee or to reinforce our image for a moment in time. All the designers we have collaborated with are exceptionally talented. Their names are Kristine Moen, Hans Jørgen Wærner, Viktor Sakshaug, and Renate Thor.
Their works speak to a number of interconnected themes that repeat and overlap; architectural elements, light and color, specific geographical features combined with activities that bring our local community together, both in Oslo, in KAFFA, and as coffee enthusiasts. Patterns, sounds, and the presentation of information. Taste and sensory experiences. Symmetry.

KAFFA consists of many vibrant, hardworking people. In the many ups and downs of business, a lot of passion has sustained the company's potential. Our hope has been that this is in some way reflected in the designs. That, and of course, the feeling that the coffee in this bag tastes fantastic.

We didn't make concrete plans to produce a new visual identity every year, but the project took on a life of its own. Without realizing it at first, it gave us the opportunity to visually explore much more of who, what, and why the company is. We like that we've had the chance to investigate what our culture is or could be, and not be too confined to a specific framework. It has been and continues to be an ongoing project that is incredibly fun and rewarding, and over the years the entire process has become more and more creative and engaging for us.

Renate Thor was the very first artist we collaborated with, and we are very proud to introduce yet another collaboration with Renate.

This year, we took a different approach to the concept behind the design, taking it a step further. We invited Renate to join us for a coffee cupping, to start the process of designing this year's new bag design. We tasted four different coffees and focused specifically on the flavors we experienced.
Instead of verbalizing or writing down flavor descriptions, we used shapes and colors to express what we tasted, creating paintings specifically to communicate our individual taste experiences with the coffee.
Renate then used the experience from the cupping, as well as the paintings that came out of it, to create a visual language which she used to design our new bags. The paintings all had a lot of texture and multiple layers - wiggly lines, spiky acidic points, and soft circles, just like the layers in the coffees' flavors. Renate's unique talent for using shapes and colors in her art made this project extra special!