Weekly Design Briefs
Brief Encounters
Not every project needs a dissertation. Sometimes the best design happens when you stop overthinking and start making. Each week I tackle a new brief from @designerbriefs. Seven days to research, explore, and execute. No 40-slide decks, no fake user quotes. Just focused work that proves the point. Follow along on Instagram @directedbykass to catch each sprint as it drops.
Week 1, 2026 • Branding & Packaging
Petali Botanical Soda
A modern botanical soda brand needed an identity that felt as refined as its floral-infused flavors. The challenge was to create packaging that communicated elegance and premium quality while standing out in a crowded beverage market. Something that would appeal to consumers seeking sophistication beyond ordinary sodas.
Week 2, 2026 • Menu Design & Branding
Shakey's is where nostalgia meets indulgence, an '80s-inspired milkshake bar that doesn't do anything halfway. Neon-bright colors, chunky typography, a mascot with serious Saturday morning cartoon energy, and a vibe that screams loud music, extra toppings, and zero regrets. This brand lives in a world where more is more, every shake is an event, and "too much" is just getting started.
Shakey’s Shake Shop
Week 3, 2026 • Menu Design & Branding
Cantina is a family-owned Italian street food spot on the coast, serving pizza and pasta since 1974. The challenge was creating a brand that felt approachable and energetic without falling into Italian restaurant clichés. I built a visual identity with a color palette inspired by Italian coastal towns, developed menu descriptions that sound like a friend's recommendation, created a signature dish designed for both flavor and Instagram, and wrote social copy that's playful without sacrificing authenticity. The result is a brand that takes its food seriously and itself a lot less so.
