We, as the Designer Interviews ("DI") had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to interview award-winning, most creative and innovative Almond Branding ("AB").
Almond is a Strategic Branding & Design Agency based out of Mumbai that has been working with leading companies like Tata, ITC, Amul, Kellogg’s, Dabur, Baidyanath, Marico, Cavinkare, 3M, Berger, to name a few as well as upcoming startups to create and nourish Brands. With a passionate team of Planners, Strategists & Creators and an experience of over a decade, Almond is the leading Branding & Design Agency in India. Specializing in Brand Creation, Brand Strategy & Development, we combine branding and design thinking to deliver disruptive brand design solutions. Almond Branding has been adjudged India’s Best Design Agency consecutively for the last 5 years especially for its proven expertise in Branding & Packaging Design. It has also won several accolades for its branding and design for Startup Brands.
Almond Branding Designs
We are pleased to share with you original and innovative design work by Almond Branding.
Almond Branding Design - Novus Organics ACV Packaging Design
Designer Interview of Almond Branding:
DI: Could you please tell us more about your art and design background? What made you become an artist/designer? Have you always wanted to be a designer?
AB : I’ve always been fascinated by the power of storytelling through visuals. My academic background combines marketing and brand design, and my career started in brand management. But I felt something was missing in how brands were visually expressed. That’s when I decided to build a design-driven agency rooted in strategic thinking. Becoming a designer wasn’t the plan—it was the calling.
DI: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
AB : Almond Branding is a strategic branding and packaging design studio headquartered in Mumbai. We specialize in creating brands groound up - right from naming of brands to positioning, brand identities to brand stories and packaging design that not only look beautiful but also work effectively in the market. We’re proud to be consistently recognized as India’s Best Packaging Design Studio.
DI: What is "design" for you?
AB : Design, to me, is the perfect harmony of form, function, and feeling. It’s not just how it looks—it’s how it works. Great design must evoke trust, emotion, and action.
DI: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
AB : Packaging design has always excited us the most. It’s where branding meets real-world utility. We love turning functional formats into brand assets that win on shelf and in hearts.
DI: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
AB : It’s difficult to pick just one, but a few stand out. Our work for Novus Organics Apple Cider Vinegar redefined what premium, sustainable wellness packaging could look like in India. For Amul Cheesespread, we helped simplify and modernize the pack while preserving the brand’s roots. And with Apsara Pencils and Stationery, we took on the challenge of reimagining a heritage brand with mass appeal—infusing freshness while enhancing visibility and shelf appeal. Each of these was special in its own way.
DI: What was the first thing you designed for a company?
AB : While we worked on several smaller projects early on, our first significant breakthrough came with Amul TRU—the flavored milk brand. We created a fresh, youth-centric packaging design system that brought consistency across SKUs while keeping the product fun and vibrant. The success of that project set the tone for our long-standing association with Amul.
DI: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
AB : We have a soft spot for paper—especially when combined with textures, foils, and finishes that evoke a tactile, premium feel. But we also embrace the latest in technology—AI-powered consumer insights, digital prototyping tools, sustainable materials like sugarcane bagasse, and AR-enabled packaging. Innovation in materials and tools lets us tell better stories more responsibly.
DI: When do you feel the most creative?
AB : During the research phase—when insights start forming patterns and the problem becomes clearer. Creativity is often born from clarity.
DI: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
AB : We focus on consumer connect, brand clarity, and shelf throw. These three together decide whether a design is just good-looking or market-winning.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
AB : Empathy and curiosity. We’re always putting ourselves in the consumer’s shoes—what they see, feel, and need. It’s a humbling and exciting process.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
AB : Gratitude and pride—especially when clients tell us sales went up or that consumers posted about the packaging. That’s impact.
DI: What makes a design successful?
AB : A successful design is one that drives both business and brand outcomes. It must stand out on the shelf, stay true to the brand’s promise, and connect with the target audience. It should increase trials, improve recall, and ultimately enhance loyalty. Design success is measurable—through sales, consumer feedback, and brand perception.
DI: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
AB : We ask: does it grab attention within 3 seconds? Is the brand clearly visible and easy to identify? Does it communicate the core benefit quickly and intuitively? Is it distinctive yet category-relevant? A good design balances functionality, branding, and emotional resonance.
DI: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
AB : Designers today must go beyond visual appeal. We have the responsibility to minimize waste, encourage responsible consumption, and avoid stereotypes. By opting for recyclable substrates, reducing ink usage, and designing for efficient logistics, we can reduce the environmental footprint. Socially, we must ensure our designs are inclusive, honest, and human.
DI: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
AB : Design is moving from aesthetics to accountability. Clients want ROI, consumers want responsibility. Future design will be data-informed, human-centric, and sustainability-led.
DI: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
AB : Inspiration comes from real people, real problems. We study how shoppers behave in supermarkets, how they interact with packaging at home, how they talk about brands. Travel also adds layers—local markets, regional flavors, street culture. And yes, nature, architecture, music, and art always help us recharge creatively
DI: How would you describe your design style? What made you explore more this style and what are the main characteristics of your style? What's your approach to design?
AB : Our style is minimal, expressive, and strategic. We use design to tell powerful brand stories through clear hierarchies, focused color palettes, and rich storytelling elements like icons or illustrations.
DI: Where do you live? Do you feel the cultural heritage of your country affects your designs? What are the pros and cons during designing as a result of living in your country?
AB : We’re based in India—a land rich in visual culture, texture, and storytelling. It adds depth to our thinking. The only challenge is simplifying that richness for modern, global consumers.
DI: How do you work with companies?
AB : We work as brand partners, not vendors. Our process is collaborative—starting with strategy workshops, progressing through design sprints, and ending with production and post-launch analysis.
DI: What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?
AB : The best results happen when companies treat designers as strategic partners, not just visual executors. Look for agencies that ask questions about your business goals before jumping into aesthetics. A good designer listens, challenges the brief, and brings both logic and creativity to the table. Chemistry, clarity, and a shared vision are essential.
DI: Can you talk a little about your design process?
AB : Our process follows four key stages: Discover, Define, Design, and Deliver. We begin by understanding the consumer, decoding the category, and identifying whitespace. From there, we move into positioning and creative routes, prototyping rapidly and refining through feedback loops. The final stage is all about execution excellence and post-launch support.
DI: What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
AB : As a proud owner of a Volkswagen Beetle—an icon of timeless design—it constantly reminds me how form and function can blend with personality. My guitar sits in the corner of my home studio and sparks inspiration in unexpected ways. I treasure travel souvenirs collected from around the world; each piece brings cultural texture and story to my space. A Japanese tea set speaks to my love for minimal elegance. And finally, our own custom-branded Almond notebooks keep me grounded to the craft of sketching and ideation
DI: Can you describe a day in your life?
AB : exture and story to my space. A Japanese tea set speaks to my love for minimal elegance. And finally, our own custom-branded Almond notebooks keep me grounded to the craft of sketching and ideation.A vintage Braun wall clock that represents timeless design. A Japanese tea set for its minimalist elegance. Our custom-branded Almond notebooks. A Pantone mug collection for daily inspiration. And a limited-edition Apsara stationery kit—our own work that continues to spark joy. 24. Can you describe a day in your life? My day starts early with reading—branding blogs, consumer trends, or philosophy. At work, I spend time with the strategy and creative teams, reviewing concepts, refining narratives, and aligning on client goals. I make time for deep thinking—ideation without distraction. Evenings are for family and reflecting on what we’re building as a studio.
DI: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
AB : Design is about empathy, not ego. Learn to listen before you sketch. Master the basics—typography, color, composition—and then break the rules with purpose. Always keep the consumer in focus and remember: your design must solve, not just decorate.
DI: From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
AB : The biggest positive is the joy of creation—bringing something to life that impacts people and businesses. There’s also a deep sense of purpose in shaping brands and narratives. The downside? Tight timelines, subjective feedback, and the constant need to educate stakeholders on the value of design. But that’s also where the challenge lies.
DI: What is your "golden rule" in design?
AB : Solve first, beautify later. If a design doesn’t serve a clear purpose or simplify something for the consumer, it’s not doing its job. Function and clarity must lead, followed by emotional connect and aesthetics.
DI: What skills are most important for a designer?
AB : Beyond creativity, designers need sharp observation, strategic thinking, and excellent communication. The ability to present and defend ideas is as important as creating them. And in today’s world, adaptability—across mediums, markets, and tools—is a game changer.
DI: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
AB : We use the latest of tools extensively. We work closely with printers to understand material feasibility. But nothing beats good old pen and paper for raw ideas. Our toolbox also includes research decks, mood boards, Pantone books, and trend reports.
DI: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
AB : We plan projects in phases with clear checkpoints—research, strategy, ideation, refinement, and delivery. We set internal review milestones and align regularly with clients to avoid last-minute surprises. Creative flow is protected with quiet hours, while collaboration happens in dedicated slots. Discipline enables freedom.
DI: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
AB : It varies by project, but a full branding and packaging assignment typically takes 8 to 10 weeks. That includes everything from brief immersion and strategy to design iterations and print-ready files. For complex or multi-SKU projects, we allow for more time to maintain quality and detail.
DI: What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
AB : The classic: “Can you make it pop?” It’s often code for “make it stand out,” and we use that as an opportunity to ask: what exactly do you want to communicate more strongly? That conversation often leads to a better brief and sharper design.
DI: What was your most important job experience?
AB : Starting Almond Branding from scratch, without a legacy or client roster, was both the hardest and most rewarding job experience. Convincing large clients to trust a new studio taught us the power of clarity, persistence, and doing good work that speaks for itself.
DI: Who are some of your clients?
AB : We work with legacy brands like Amul, Tata, ITC, Parle and Dabur and also love partnering with ambitious startups like Healthfab, Novus Organics, Papel and JK Foods. Our portfolio spans food, beverage, personal care, wellness, and what not. The diversity keeps us sharp and adaptable.
DI: What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
AB : We enjoy projects that involve building brands from scratch—naming, positioning, identity, and packaging. It gives us the opportunity to shape the entire narrative. Rebranding legacy products is equally thrilling because it requires balancing nostalgia with modernity.
DI: What are your future plans? What is next for you?
AB : We aim to expand globally, especially into Southeast Asia and the Middle East, where Indian design thinking is gaining recognition. We also want to deepen our focus on sustainability—experimenting with eco-friendly formats and smarter supply chain design. And yes, mentoring young designers is on the roadmap.
DI: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
AB : Almond Branding is built on teamwork. Each project brings together strategists, designers, copywriters, illustrators, and production experts. I personally guide the direction and storytelling, but the execution is always collaborative. Our strength lies in our diversity of thought.
DI: Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?
AB : Most of the ongoing work is confidentials. Sorry :P
DI: How can people contact you?
AB : You can reach us through our website almondbranding.com, drop a line at hello@almondbranding.in, or DM us on Instagram @almondbranding. We love hearing from curious founders and ambitious marketers.
DI: Any other things you would like to cover that have not been covered in these questions?
AB : Design is not decoration—it’s differentiation. It’s about solving the brand’s deepest challenges in a way that feels effortless to the consumer. At Almond, we’re obsessed with creating Intelligent Design that delivers measurable impact—not just beauty.