Introduction
In today’s competitive market, a business card remains one of the most effective tools for personal branding and client engagement — especially for skilled tradespeople like Andy Levy. Specialising in vehicle bodywork repairs and painting, Andy wanted a business card that would reflect his craftsmanship and personal pride, while also conveying his contact details clearly and professionally.
With that in mind, Andy approached LemonTop Creative with a straightforward request:
“Design and print simple, eye-catching business cards featuring my pride and joy on the front, with all my contact info neatly presented on the back.”
Although the brief seemed simple, the true challenge was to create a card that would leave a lasting impression — one that captured Andy’s passion, professionalism, and the quality of his work in a compact, physical format.
About Bartestree Cider
Bartestree Cider is a distinguished name in traditional English cider making, known for its dedication to authentic craft, quality ingredients, and regional character. With a heritage deeply rooted in Herefordshire’s rich orchards, Bartestree has long been celebrated for producing ciders that echo both tradition and innovation.
In an effort to expand their brand and reach new market segments, Bartestree commissioned LemonTop Creative to design a unique cider concept titled Down Came a Cider. The goal was to create a distinct product that not only reflected the brand’s ethos but also stood out boldly in the competitive craft cider market.
This case study explores how LemonTop Creative partnered with Bartestree to bring this vision to life — from initial concept development through to final execution and measurable market impact.
The Challenge
Market Saturation and Brand Differentiation
The craft cider market has seen exponential growth in recent years, resulting in increased competition and consumer choice. As a result, Bartestree needed to launch a new product that could:
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Differentiate itself visually and conceptually from competitors.
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Capture attention on crowded retail shelves and in pubs.
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Reflect the brand’s authentic roots while embracing contemporary appeal.
Packaging and Brand Identity
A critical challenge lay in designing packaging and branding that would:
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Communicate the cider’s unique story and character.
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Balance traditional cider imagery with modern design trends.
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Ensure clear legibility and strong shelf presence.
Our Approach
LemonTop Creative took a strategic and creative approach, focused on understanding Bartestree’s brand, target audience, and current market trends. The project unfolded in several key stages:
1. Brand Discovery and Research
To begin, we immersed ourselves in Bartestree’s history, cider-making process, and ideal customer profiles. Understanding the essence of their craft helped inform design decisions that would feel authentic and meaningful.
At the same time, market research offered insight into competitor packaging and consumer preferences. This helped us identify opportunities for differentiation — visually, emotionally, and narratively.
2. Concept Development
Building on our research, we led internal brainstorming sessions to generate multiple creative directions for Down Came a Cider. Several key themes emerged:
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Storytelling through design – The product’s name evoked movement, tradition, and natural origins, opening up strong narrative potential.
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Visual impact – Bold, distinctive graphics would help the product catch the eye quickly.
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Typography – A need to strike a balance between rustic charm and modern clarity.
From there, we presented early visual concepts that explored illustrative styles, colour palettes, and unique label shapes. Bartestree’s feedback guided the selection of a preferred direction.
3. Design Refinement
With feedback in hand, we refined the chosen concept, focusing on:
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Creating a one-of-a-kind bottle label featuring illustrations inspired by apple orchards and the cider-making process.
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Developing a custom logo lockup for Down Came a Cider that would convey craft authenticity.
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Selecting a colour palette that suggested freshness and natural ingredients — greens, golds, and earthy tones.
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Ensuring that all elements complied with legal and industry labelling standards.
4. Packaging Execution
Once the label design was approved, we moved into production. We prepared artwork for pre-press, working closely with our printing partners to ensure colour accuracy and premium quality on textured label stock.
Additionally, we advised on bottle selection and cap design to ensure cohesive branding across the entire packaging experience.
Design Highlights
Illustrative Storytelling
The Down Came a Cider label features hand-drawn illustrations of apple branches, leaves, and fruit in varying stages of ripeness. Together, these elements form a visual narrative that invites the consumer into the orchard, celebrating the cider’s natural, traditional roots.
Typography
We used a bespoke serif typeface for the primary logo — one that conveyed vintage character without sacrificing readability. Meanwhile, supporting text used modern sans-serif fonts to enhance clarity and balance.
Colour Palette
The final palette blended fresh apple greens with warm golds and rustic browns. This choice reflected the orchard’s natural environment and the warmth associated with traditional cider-making.
Label Shape and Layout
Rather than using a standard rectangular label, we opted for a shape with soft curves that echoed the organic forms of apples and branches. As a result, the label stood out immediately on shelves, helping to draw the eye.
Brand Consistency
Throughout the packaging, Bartestree’s core branding elements were integrated subtly and consistently. This ensured that Down Came a Cider felt like a natural and authentic extension of the Bartestree family.
Results and Impact
Market Reception
Following launch, Down Came a Cider received overwhelmingly positive feedback. The distinctive packaging helped secure premium shelf placement, while bartenders noted that the story-driven label made it an easy sell to curious customers.
Increased Brand Awareness
As anticipated, the cider’s approachable design and strong storytelling attracted new customers — including younger craft beverage fans who may not have been traditional cider drinkers.
Enhanced Brand Equity
The project further reinforced Bartestree’s position as a producer that honours heritage while embracing modern creative expression. It deepened consumer trust and admiration for the brand.
Sales Growth
Post-launch sales data showed strong performance, particularly in areas where craft cider is gaining popularity. Notably, the packaging played a key role in both consumer trial and repeat purchase.
Why This Project Worked
Several factors contributed to the success of Down Came a Cider:
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Deep brand understanding – By aligning with Bartestree’s heritage and values, we created an authentic product.
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Collaborative process – Ongoing feedback ensured alignment from concept to final output.
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Creative storytelling – Illustration and narrative design elevated the experience.
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Attention to detail – Every decision, from label shape to finish, served a clear purpose.
Lessons Learned
From this project, we confirmed that:
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Narrative-driven design builds stronger emotional connections.
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Custom packaging shapes can significantly increase shelf presence.
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Balancing tradition and modernity broadens appeal across age groups.
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Involving printing partners early ensures design feasibility and quality outcomes.
Future Opportunities
Looking ahead, Bartestree Cider plans to:
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Expand the Down Came a Cider line with seasonal or limited-edition variants, using similarly strong visual storytelling.
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Launch digital marketing campaigns that highlight the product’s story.
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Introduce sustainable packaging materials to align with evolving brand values.
Conclusion
The Down Came a Cider project exemplifies how strategic design and creative storytelling can help a traditional brand evolve without losing its soul. By blending heritage with innovation, LemonTop Creative helped Bartestree Cider craft a product that connects, delights, and performs in today’s competitive market.