Introduction
After designing bottle labels for Dancing Duck Brewery, we already had a deep understanding of their brand. This familiarity made the next project feel like a natural step. They wanted new beer mats and bar runners to share with pubs, bars, and loyal customers.
The Challenge
The goal was clear. The new designs needed to carry the same visual identity as the bottle labels while feeling unique enough to stand on their own. They had to:
- Be instantly recognisable as Dancing Duck products.
- Work well in busy, high-traffic environments like bars.
- Stand up to repeated use while maintaining visual impact.
Balancing creativity with brand consistency was the key.
The Approach
Because we had already created the bottle label artwork, we could draw from those established design elements. This not only ensured consistency but also sped up the creative process.
We began by selecting the strongest visual elements — bold colours, distinctive typography, and playful graphics. These were adapted to fit the circular format of beer mats and the elongated shape of bar runners.
Design and Production
Beer Mats
We used eye-catching colours and clean layouts to make the beer mats noticeable even in dim pub lighting. The design incorporated core brand elements while keeping space for practical messaging like the brewery name and product range.
Bar Runners
The bar runners used a stretched design that maintained clarity at a larger size. The material choice ensured durability against spills and heavy use, while the vibrant printing kept the colours strong over time.
The Outcome
The finished beer mats and bar runners became more than just functional items. They acted as miniature billboards, reinforcing the Dancing Duck brand in every venue they reached. Customers could spot the logo from across the bar, creating instant recognition and a visual link to the bottled products.
Conclusion
By reusing and adapting existing assets, we created new promotional tools that felt fresh while staying true to the brand identity. Dancing Duck Brewery now has a presence not just on the shelves, but in the hands — and under the pints — of customers across their network.