Kadidja.NYC
Packaging Design · Brand Identity · Illustration · Sustainable Design Jan 2026 (NYC)
Kadidja.NYC is a woman-owned botanical skincare brand based in New York City, focused on handcrafted wellness products inspired by African heritage, natural ingredients, and sustainable production practices.
I was brought on to redesign the packaging system for one of the brand’s product lines, creating a visual identity that balanced premium positioning, sustainability, usability, and shelf presence while remaining production-ready for small-batch manufacturing.
The Challenge
The existing packaging lacked visual hierarchy, clear usage instructions, and a cohesive system for communicating ingredients, sustainability practices, and product information.The goal was to create packaging that:
- Reflected the brand’s handcrafted and heritage-driven identity
- Improved readability and product communication
- Simplified usage instructions through visual storytelling
- Reinforced sustainability values
- Worked within existing production and packaging constraints
Design Approach
The redesign focused on creating a unified packaging system built around three principles:Heritage & Craft
Inspired by botanical ingredients and handmade production methods, the visual language incorporates illustrated floral elements, organic textures, and warm, earthy tones to reinforce the brand’s natural origins.
Clarity & Usability
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Information hierarchy was restructured to prioritize:
- Product identification
- Benefits and usage
- Ingredient transparency
- Sustainability messaging
Custom instructional illustrations were developed to guide users through the foot bath experience without relying heavily on text.
Sustainable Communication
The packaging incorporates:
- Composting guidance
- Ingredient transparency
- Minimal material usage
- QR-code integration for extended product information
allowing information to be expanded digitally while maintaining a clean physical package.
Key Contributions
- Packaging system redesign
- Information architecture for packaging content
- Custom instructional iconography
- Print production file preparation
- QR code integration
- Sustainability and disposal communication
- Visual hierarchy and typography system
- Production-ready dieline development
Design Outcomes
The final packaging system transformed a simple product container into an instructional and brand communication tool.
By combining botanical illustration, clear information hierarchy, sustainability messaging, and production-ready packaging design, the project strengthened both the customer experience and the overall brand perception while remaining feasible for small-batch manufacturing.