BDTOS.24-26Banditos MexiCan Lager
Brand Identity + Development
Creating and stewarding the visual and experiential code for a new contender on the Canadian beer market.

Services: Strategy, Brand Identity, Creative Direction, Art Direction, Social Strategy, Campaign Strategy + Execution

Industry: CPG

As a startup beer brand competing with giants, Banditos needed a voice that cut through the established noise of an oversaturated category.

The visual identity we created is rooted in the "lovable rogue," leaning into clear Texas/Mexican cultural associations and legend-building that resonated with rural Canada. This required a confident aesthetic that felt as if the beer had been around for a lifetime.

We crafted a full world for Banditos—a marketing suite and visual system—to support the beer’s market entry, culminating in its definitive presence on Longo's shelves in year 1. We ensured that every expression of the brand became a cultural artifact, securing its place among the established and speaking directly to an audience that demands authenticity.

Brand Development

Developed in a fast-paced sprint, the Banditos visual identity was built around the underdog archetype—inspired by the lovable rogues of culture and history, from Jack Sparrow to Han Solo and the outlaw mythos of figures like Billy the Kid. The goal was to create a brand that embodied that same rebellious charm: independent, irreverent, and unmistakably character-driven.

Recognizing that the product is a Mexican lager crafted for a Canadian market, we blended Western visual language with subtle Mexican design cues, striking a balance between frontier grit and south-of-the-border warmth. The result is a brand world that feels bold, playful, and proudly offbeat—true to the Banditos spirit.

Promotional Content

Product Design

As the brand grew, our core visual language became the foundation for an expanding world of physical design. From sterling silver team rings to custom cactus-inspired tap handles and a one-of-a-kind barrel sampling bar, Banditos demanded a tactile presence that extended far beyond packaging and print.

Each new object required us to translate the brand’s attitude into form, material, and function—challenging us to define how the identity behaved across different contexts. This evolution pushed us to flex our creative muscles across multiple disciplines, ensuring every piece, no matter the format, felt unmistakably Banditos.

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