Calcutta Kitchens

Calcutta Kitchens is an Indian sauce brand. In 2011, it was born in a home kitchen. Cooking flavorful meals was second nature to the founder. She wanted to find a healthy, quick, and easy way to feed her family while working full-time. Her sauces were created out of a love for her heritage and a personal need.

I was approached by the founder to create a logo and branding system. Her goal was to develop a professional visual presence to help expand her growing business. The challenge was to create a flexible brand that honored her Indian roots while fitting into the fast pace of American culture.

What I Did

Logo/Identity
Branding System
Creative Direction
Graphic Design
Package Design
Signage
Social Media Design
Marketing Collateral

The native hibiscus flower and energy of India were important elements the owner wanted to incorporate into her logo. I created a symbol that represents the flower and vibrancy of India. It's also a nod to the shape of the rice the owner cooks with. The typeface is a clean serif with a traditional and modern feel. It combines the notion of an authentic heritage while looking current and fresh.

The brand identity I developed for Calcutta Kitchens is colorful and bold. It allows the versatility and vibrancy of each sauce inside of a clear jar to shine. The modern aesthetic of the packaging design is rich and vibrant. The hibiscus flower is subtly incorporated into the label background to add visual interest with meaning. The bright label design delivers a strong and impactful retail shelf experience.

The sauces evolved and expanded to a line of chutneys, showing the brand's flexibility.

Once the brand was established, I moved on to create a variety of marketing collateral. This included stickers, recipe cards, event promos, and social media advertising.

Today, the sauces can be found in pantries and storefronts across America. The key messaging is playful and encourages creativity and cooking, aiming to bring people together through food. It invites consumers to grab a sauce while imagining the culinary possibilities.