Beastly designs: Ancient cultures inspire branding

31 : 10 : 2014 Oliphant Brewing : Aerogram Studio : Neo-Tolkienism

Wisconsin, US – Multidisciplinary design studio Aerogram Studio has designed branding for a range of products by Oliphant Brewing, inspired by mythical creatures and historic civilisations.

 Oliphant Brewing by Aerogram Studio Oliphant Brewing by Aerogram Studio
 Oliphant Brewing by Aerogram Studio Oliphant Brewing by Aerogram Studio
 Oliphant Brewing by Aerogram Studio Oliphant Brewing by Aerogram Studio

The Oliphant, a creature invented by the Midwest brewers, now adorns its range of beers, and has been visualised by the team at Aerogram.

When designing the branding, Aerogram drew inspiration from ancient Mesoamerican cultures, Egyptian hieroglyphics and Dada to create the hand-drawn designs and logotype for the beer bottles. The result is fitting for a range of beers that includes Milkman Man-Baby, Dorkness and Land Eels vs Sea Snakes.

'We initially conceived of the Oliphant logo as a primitive, abstract marking, something that could be carved into trees or seen in constellations,' Tess Golden, designer and co-founder of Aerogram Studio tells LS:N Global. 'We sought inspiration from cuneiform and Egyptian hieroglyphics in creating a mark that looked like it had been passed down for generations.'

For more on how brands are drawing on ancient mythologies for inspiration and bringing the world of the bizarre to the mainstream, read our Neo-Tolkienism macrotrend.

Discover More Daily Signals
Whitechapel Gallery celebrates 125 years with a human-centric visual rebrand

Daily Signals

Whitechapel Gallery celebrates 125 years with a human-centric visual rebrand

East London arts institution Whitechapel Gallery is ushering in its 125th anniversary with a bold new visual identity designed by BBH Studios, unve...
Design : Breading : Human Centered Design
UK watchdog clamps down on vague sustainability claims in fashion ads

Daily Signals

UK watchdog clamps down on vague sustainability claims in fashion ads

The UK’s Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has banned Google adverts from global fashion brands Lacoste, Nike and Superdry after ruling that th...
Sustainable : Fashion : Advertising
Stat: Kids ask for gaming gifts this festive period and want their parents to join them

Daily Signals

Stat: Kids ask for gaming gifts this festive period and want their parents to join them

New research from the Entertainment Software Association (ESA) suggests video games will dominate kids’ Christmas wish lists th...
Technology : Gaming : Youth
Ikea launches furniture and décor collection that frames play as a part of the entire home

Daily Signals

Ikea launches furniture and décor collection that frames play as a part of the entire home

At Miami Art Week, Ikea used its Open House Miami installation to frame play as an everyday design principle rather than a zone limited to children...
Design : Retail : Play
Foresight Friday: Emily Rhodes, creative lead

Daily Signals

Foresight Friday: Emily Rhodes, creative lead

Every Friday, we offer an end-of-week wrap-up of the topics, issues, ideas and virals we’re all talking about. This week, creative lead Emily Rhode...
Design
Stat: UK anxiety about rapid cultural change accelerates

Daily Signals

Stat: UK anxiety about rapid cultural change accelerates

Public unease about the pace and direction of cultural change in the UK is intensifying, with new research revealing a sharp rise in perceptio...
Statistic : Society : Culture
Mantle borrows transplant-grade science for next-gen serum

Daily Signals

Mantle borrows transplant-grade science for next-gen serum

Swedish skincare brand Mantle is pushing medi-beauty into new territory with The Organ Essence, a serum that borrows its core actives from the pres...
Beauty : Science : Health
New study finds week-long digital detoxes improve youth mental health

Daily Signals

New study finds week-long digital detoxes improve youth mental health

A study published in JAMA Network Open in November 2025 suggests that taking a break from social media could deliver measurable mental health benef...
Technology : Youth : Social Media
Stat: Africa leads the AI adoption race for business

Daily Signals

Stat: Africa leads the AI adoption race for business

Africa is emerging as a frontrunner in workplace AI adoption, with 64% of workers reporting usage in the past year – well above the global average ...
Artificial Intelligence : Work : Statistic
Oloris transforms scent into a multi-sensory experience

Daily Signals

Oloris transforms scent into a multi-sensory experience

A new prototype from Pitch Studios, a creative agency based between London and Amsterdam, and Gentle Systems, an engineering studio in Berlin, is r...
Design : Technology : Fragrance
You have 1 free News articles remaining. Sign up to LS:N Global to get unlimited access to all articles.
BECOME A MEMBER
SIGN IN