Ever get an idea stuck in your head that you just can’t get out?
As a creative person, I know you do. Whether that’s a song, a quote, or an image. You and I, we live and breathe creativity. And that means getting completely obsessed with great ideas sometimes.
This has happened to me enough times that, by now, I’ve figured out what to do about it.
I get to creating.
That’s exactly what I did for this totally fresh concept I had, inspired by Death Wish Coffee.
Noooope, I don’t know them personally and they didn’t pay me to do this. I’m just a humble fan of their current branding and product.
So one afternoon at The Hive, I did what creative people do best: dream it, then build it.
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What went into it:
- Lighting for impact: I used two strip boxes on either side of the product to get crisp, directional light. It sculpted the bag beautifully: sharp edges, deep shadows, and a gritty, dramatic vibe that feels true to the brand.
- Texture & tension: I shot against coffee beans and a rich painted effect, layering in atmosphere with fog. That mix of textures gives it a tactile, visceral feel, like you can almost smell it through the screen.
- Cinematic mood: Color grading was all about contrast. Rich blacks, subtle amber tones, and a bit of smoke to give it attitude. It’s clean, but dark. Marketable, but weird. Just how I like it.
- Just the goods: I kept the compositions simple and focused. The branding is strong on its own, so I let the visuals do the talking—no extra noise is needed with a bold presence like this.
This was a personal piece, but also a *flex* on the kind of creative storytelling I love to do: taking a product and building a world around it.
If you’re working on something that needs visuals with a bit of teeth—something sharp, moody, market-ready—contact me today.
And if there’s any brands you’re obsessed with or ideas you can’t get out of your head right now, send them my way! I love nothing more than bringing cool concepts to life.
