9Tea3 is a Chicago-based tea brand blending premium organic teas with the energy of 90s hip-hop. I partnered with the founders to define the brand identity and creative direction—designing the logo, product packaging, Shopify site, and social templates to launch their vision of a new “leafstyle.”

The founders wanted a brand that fused wellness and culture—something bold enough to stand out in a crowded tea market while staying authentic to its hip-hop roots. My role was to translate that energy into a visual identity that felt fresh, nostalgic, and instantly recognizable.

I explored graffiti-inspired typefaces, bold numerals, and hand-sketched concepts before refining them into six logo directions. Each concept drew from 90s hip-hop culture—whether through graffiti, geometric symbolism, or playful references to iconic songs. The final selection embodied 9Tea3’s unique balance of heritage and flavor.

To ensure consistency, I created an abbreviated brand guide covering colors, typography, photography, and graphics. Animated slides presented the brand’s nostalgic roots while setting clear rules for visual expression across channels. View Presentation.

Each blend’s label was designed around the leaf mark, with bold colors tied to ingredients or names. I recommended black pouches for maximum vibrancy and consistency across the line. The result was a bold, cohesive packaging system that elevated the brand on shelf and online.

I designed and developed a Shopify site using the Modular theme as a base, customizing layouts in Figma and replicating them in Shopify with custom HTML/CSS. The final site blends clean e-commerce usability with the energy of the brand. View the live site.

Because music is core to 9Tea3’s identity, I designed a branded Spotify channel and a dedicated “Sips & Sounds” page on the site to showcase curated playlists. This reinforced the cultural connection between tea and hip-hop.

To extend the brand to social platforms, I created branded Canva templates the team could easily reuse. Each template was designed for quick content creation while keeping visuals consistent and recognizable.

The result was a complete brand launch: from identity and packaging to digital presence and marketing support. 9Tea3 entered the market with a bold, authentic voice and a cohesive system that set them apart from competitors while staying true to their cultural roots.