Bold Graphics for Plant Protein Brand Forge Distinct Path
Cutting through a sea of plant-based product clutter, packaging for new FȲTA sports nutrition products keeps graphics clean and simple, focusing on the product’s ‘game-changing nutrition.’
Chase Design Group simplified the FȲTA brand message both visually and verbally to make the product benefits ‘easy to digest.’
Released in 2019, “The Game Changers” documentary followed the story of James Wilks, an elite special forces trainer and winner of the American reality television series and mixed martial arts competition “The Ultimate Fighter” as he traveled the world on a quest for the truth about protein and the optimal human diet. Viewed by an estimated 200 million people since its release, it frames plant-based eating for better health and athletic performance.
After the film’s release, global demand for high-protein plant-based food skyrocketed. Coinciding with this, the creators of “The Game Changers” were inundated with requests for tasty, convenient products that met their criteria for optimal athletic performance and health. Unsatisfied with the existing options, they assembled a team of world-class sports dietitians and food scientists with one simple mission: to develop a line of products worthy of “The Game Changers” legacy. From this directive came FȲTA, a line of clean, plant-based sports nutrition products, with the brand name derived from the Greek word for “plants.”
With a strategic foundation and brand framework created by communications and advertising agency Saatchi, UK, FȲTA turned to creative agency Chase Design Group to develop a packaging system for the brand, one that is distinctive in the health and performance space while leveraging the equity and trust built with “The Game Changers” movie/brand.
One of the challenges was to cut through the sea of clutter. “The Game Changers” was bold, performance driven, and evidence based. “We knew we wanted to lean into that as much as possible while forging a new path for FȲTA that would stand out online and on shelf. The key was to simplify and take a bold visual approach,” says Jennessa Davis, design director, Chase Design Group.
Chase Design Group developed a packaging system for the brand, one that is distinctive in the health and performance space while leveraging the equity and trust built with ‘The Game Changers’ movie/brand.“We helped simplify the complex without losing the heart and soul of The Game Changers by not playing into stereotypical plant-based cues—instead focusing on the game-changing nutrition that the product provides. It was important to simplify both visually and verbally, making the benefits easy to digest,” says Mike Mandarino, account manager, Chase Design Group.
The FȲTA “F” is crafted around the strategic concept of “building blocks,” with FȲTA being the key to building optimal health. The three sections of the “F” symbolize steps of growth and forward momentum, while the symbol serves as a strong device that can be dramatically used across all brand touchpoints.
“We established a strong color palette paired with bold branding to create a brand block on shelf. The tones of green were carefully considered, with dark green grounding FȲTA in the plant-based category, while the bright metallic green is contemporary, generating a sense of innovation. The brand colors are ownable and stand out against the blacks and silvers that are typically used in the performance category,” says Davis.
The new line includes three flavors of plant-based protein powder, a meal replacement powder, and three flavors of meal replacement bars.
“With the help of Saatchi and Chase Design Group, FȲTA is a credible challenger brand and a source of truth in the category,” says James Wilks, founder, FȲTA. “It will first be available direct-to-consumer through fyta.com and on Amazon, before expanding to traditional mass market retailers in the future.” PW
