Yamana Matcha Branding and Packaging Design

Summer 2025

Yamana Matcha is an ethical and authentic brand offering premium, organic, and sustainable matcha, while celebrating Japanese culture through environmentally friendly products. Its mission is to make high-quality matcha accessible in Belgium and to educate people about the diversity of matcha flavors, influenced by the cultivar, region, production method, and harvest season.

ABOUT Inspired by Japan’s spirit of innovation, they try new flavors and experiences, including ube, a bright purple yam known for its natural sweetness and creamy texture. Their goal is to mix the tradition of matcha with Japan’s creativity, offering flavors that are enjoyable, inspiring, and nourishing.

• 山 (Yama): the mountain, symbol of strength and guardianship over the tea fields. •  奈 (Na): the nourishing leaves, essence of vitality and balance. •  Amana: the soul of our mission, a reminder that we are entrusted with nature's gifts

The final logo uses a sans-serif typeface with rounded, geometric forms, conveying visual harmony while emphasizing accessibility. The lowercase “a” has been rounded, a subtle detail that softens the overall tone of the identity while maintaining a structured graphic foundation.

The circle references the Enso ring, a Zen symbol representing the present moment, simplicity, and completeness. The character 山, meaning “mountain” in Japanese, has been incorporated as a graphic element, almost like a signature or emblem of inner harmony.

To create the background, I mixed matcha powder with water and used a chasen (traditional matcha whisk) to paint spontaneous, organic shapes. The textures were then scanned and digitized to bring an authentic, handcrafted touch to the design

The packaging was obviously a big part of the project. The goal was to create a different universe for each flavor while keeping something memorable and recognizable. Our goal was to create packaging that conveys tranquility and draws inspiration from Japanese culture.