Hardanger Eplegård

The Challenge: Translating Place into Design

The challenge was to capture the essence of Hardanger — a Norwegian region known for its fjords, apple orchards, and quiet beauty — and translate it into a visual identity that feels timeless, authentic, and distinctly Scandinavian.

We aimed to merge the raw tactility of local craft with the refined restraint of Nordic minimalism — creating a brand that could live comfortably between the worlds of boutique cider production and hospitality.

The goal: to make nature feel designed, and design feel natural.

The Strategy: Designing Stillness

Our approach was to treat the project as a study in serenity. Instead of competing for attention, Hardanger Eplegård invites pause and reflection — echoing the rhythm of the fjord and the softness of apple blossoms in spring.

Design-Led Assessment

• Authenticity: The combination of natural tones, typographic precision, and understated packaging ensures the brand feels genuinely Nordic — elegant without excess.

• Cohesion: Across bottle design, collateral, and digital presence, the identity maintains a consistent rhythm of calm, space, and simplicity.

• Emotional Impact: By evoking local poetry and natural imagery, the design achieves both familiarity and aspiration — emotional without sentimentality.

Market-Led Assessment

• Positioning: The visual identity clearly differentiates Hardanger Eplegård from mass-market cider brands through minimalism and tactile sophistication.

The Outcome

The Hardanger Eplegård concept demonstrates how regional heritage can be distilled into a contemporary, globally resonant brand identity.

Through balance, restraint, and tactility, the project captures the essence of Hardanger — its calm, its craft, and its quiet strength.