MBD won TEN Vertex Awards this week at the Velocity Conference + Expo! And a big congratulations to Sprouts who won Retailer of the Year, winning the most awards out of any retailer in the competition. This year there were over 600 entries from 79 retailers across 53 countries. We are excited to share with you MBD’s winning designs below:

                    

GOLD: Sprouts Brand Redesign
A brand that delivers uncompromising quality with a wide variety of products reaching across most categories throughout the store. This redesign focuses on increased awareness and perception of the brand by using the refreshed logo and modernizing the current packaging through various categories across the store. MBD created a look that elevates customers expectations and generates excitement around new products and new flavors. We used a billboard effect to broaden appeal beyond its existing customer base with bold coloring, storytelling through illustrations and ownable photography, unexpected typefaces, and design elements that are more category specific.

                                                          

GOLD: Sprouts Everyday Crackers
The cracker category is saturated with many brands using bright, primary colors to stand out on shelf. MBD pulled back the design and utilized pastel colors to create an on-brand and on-trend package that stands out in a crowded category shelf set. We used simple, elegant watercolor-style illustrations combined with photography to elevate these everyday crackers.

SILVER: Sprouts Soy Chorizo
A new product to Sprouts, soy chorizo was kicked off to compete with the other vegan alternatives in this section of Sprouts. MBD's design disrupts the on-trend plant based product category with a quirky approach to farmers market feel. The fun pattern work brings a youthful energy to the design.

                                                      

BRONZE: Sprouts Olive Oil
MBD's beautiful Olive Oil design uses colorful, bold patterns and quirky typeface to stand out in a crowded category. The unique approach to a farmers market style feels lively and unexpected.

                                                      

BRONZE: Sprouts Almond Milk
Very early on in the redesign, MBD's team was tasked with revamping the existing almond milk line at Sprouts. This design took on a real farmer's market feel and was the first product where MBD introduced a "character" with some cartoon charm. We designed the almond milk mascot to differentiate product variation without breaking cohesion of the brand and product line. The earth tones, simple line work and punchy ingredient shot with a large almond brought this item to life.

      

BRONZE: Sprouts Beans
Canned beans are a popular commodity item that find themselves in a wide range of recipes. MBD wanted to make sure these cans stood out on shelf and also clearly communicated the product, without creating too much noise on the PDP. The photography within the set is what made the concept come alive and create a lot of fun and movement on the packaging. Organic and conventional canned beans were designed in a family look to connect the SKUs while keeping them easily shoppable.

                                                   

BRONZE: Smart & Final Ice Cream
The structure of the ice cream is modernized to a "Scround" (square/round) carton that differentiates it from a traditional round package. Rich color palette, subtle pattern, and over 20 flavors make a strong visual impact on-shelf. Completely ownable photography makes the ice cream the hero but pairs the product with interesting and indulgent ingredient inclusions. The design also allows the smaller side panel to act as an alternate PDP, allowing for more flexible merchandising in smaller format stores.

                                                       

BRONZE: 7-Eleven Peppermints
MBD designed these peppermints to follow brand initiatives and match the look of the 7-Select line of candy. We created an everyday look for something that is often seen as seasonal. The final design uses creative storytelling for these sweet, fun, on-the-go treats. The carnival tent stripes magnify the iconic pattern of these classic candies, and the petter mints are playfully added into the scene on a rollercoaster.

                                                            

BRONZE: PriceSmart Pet Food
MBD partnered with PriceSmart to design this friendly, fresh, inviting line of pet food products. The product benefits are highlighted in a distinguishable way without being too serious. The imagery of high quality ingredients and happy pets are front and center to draw attention to the product.

                                                         

BRONZE: BJ’s Wholesale Club Baby Wipes
The mix of diverse and happy babies with bright colors and fun patterns bring package to life. Callouts highlight competitive features equivalent to national brands carried in-club at BJ's.

Congratulations to all Vertex Award winners as well as all who participated in the competition! We look forward to seeing more new designs that come out for the remainder of this year!