Figma, Photoshop, After Effects
Shisa - Branding & Packaging Design
Project Overview
Shisa is a conceptual brand developed from an open brief that challenged me to create a complete brand system from the ground up. I chose to explore hot sauce as a medium for cultural storytelling, drawing inspiration from the flavors, language, and energy of Eswatini. The project focuses on building a bold, cohesive identity that blends African influence with modern design, using expressive visuals, playful copy, and a clear product system to communicate flavor, heat, and personality across physical and digital touchpoints.
Research
Research focused on global hot sauce branding, African food representation in international markets, and consumer interest in culturally driven food products. Findings showed a growing demand for authentic global flavors, playful branding, and products that feel personal rather than generic. This insight shaped Shisa’s emphasis on storytelling, expressive copy, and strong visual character.
Visual Identity & Logo
Shisa’s visual identity is built around texture, heat, and movement. The logo uses a textured typeface to reflect the raw, handcrafted nature of the brand and its cultural inspiration. Paired with halftone patterns, layered textures, and a bold palette of yellow, orange, and red, the system communicates energy, intensity, and a modern take on African-inspired design.
Concept & Strategy
Shisa is built around the idea that heat is not just intensity, but experience. Each sauce represents a different emotional and physical response to spice, reflected through siSwati words, color intensity, and tone. The brand balances cultural inspiration with modern aesthetics, avoiding stereotypes while still honoring origin.
Naming & Product System
Each sauce name comes from siSwati, reinforcing cultural identity while remaining short and pronounceable for global audiences. This system allows consumers to intuitively understand heat level through both language and color.
Umlilo
--------------------------------------——-
Umlilo means “fire” in siSwati, and this mild sauce captures the essence of a gentle flicker of heat. Bright citrus and fresh herbs create a lively, approachable flavor that’s perfect for everyday meals. Inspired by the warmth and vibrancy of Swazi kitchens, Umlilo introduces heat in a way that’s fun, flavorful, and inviting.
Umlilo
--------------------------------------——-
Umlilo means “fire” in siSwati, and this mild sauce captures the essence of a gentle flicker of heat. Bright citrus and fresh herbs create a lively, approachable flavor that’s perfect for everyday meals. Inspired by the warmth and vibrancy of Swazi kitchens, Umlilo introduces heat in a way that’s fun, flavorful, and inviting.
Gijima
--------------------------------------——-
Gijima, meaning “run” in siSwati, delivers bold heat that hits fast and keeps your taste buds moving. With lively chili notes and rich flavor, it reflects the energy, rhythm, and adventurous spirit of Swazi life. Gijima is the sauce for those who want flavor with momentum — turning up the taste in every bite.
Gijima
--------------------------------------——-
Gijima, meaning “run” in siSwati, delivers bold heat that hits fast and keeps your taste buds moving. With lively chili notes and rich flavor, it reflects the energy, rhythm, and adventurous spirit of Swazi life. Gijima is the sauce for those who want flavor with momentum — turning up the taste in every bite.
Juluka
--------------------------------------——-
Juluka, meaning “sweat” in siSwati, is the ultimate test of heat tolerance. Blistering chili heat delivers an intense, no-mercy burn for fearless spice lovers. A tribute to Eswatini’s fiery culinary heritage, Juluka is bold, daring, and unforgettable — perfect for those who embrace the thrill of true fire on their plate.
Juluka
--------------------------------------——-
Juluka, meaning “sweat” in siSwati, is the ultimate test of heat tolerance. Blistering chili heat delivers an intense, no-mercy burn for fearless spice lovers. A tribute to Eswatini’s fiery culinary heritage, Juluka is bold, daring, and unforgettable — perfect for those who embrace the thrill of true fire on their plate.
Jabula
--------------------------------------——-
Jabula means “happy” in siSwati, and this sweet and spicy mango sauce embodies joy with a kick. Juicy green mango meets playful jalapeño heat, creating a balance of sweetness and fire. Inspired by Eswatini’s vibrant flavors, Jabula brings happiness, bold flavor, and a little mischief to every dish.
Jabula
--------------------------------------——-
Jabula means “happy” in siSwati, and this sweet and spicy mango sauce embodies joy with a kick. Juicy green mango meets playful jalapeño heat, creating a balance of sweetness and fire. Inspired by Eswatini’s vibrant flavors, Jabula brings happiness, bold flavor, and a little mischief to every dish.
Applications
The Shisa brand was applied across a range of touchpoints to demonstrate consistency and scalability. These included hot sauce packaging, social media content and website mockups each using the same visual language of bold color, texture, and playful typography. The identity was also extended into merchandise, showing how the brand could live beyond the bottle while maintaining its cultural narrative, tone of voice, and visual impact across platforms.
Reflection
This project strengthened my ability to build a brand from concept to execution, combining research, storytelling, and visual design into a cohesive system. Shisa challenged me to design respectfully with cultural inspiration while still creating something bold, modern, and market-ready. It reinforced the importance of clarity, consistency, and personality in brand identity design.
