Commercial Illustration: The Product

For the Wylam Brewery brief, I will be designing the bottle label and 'beer clips', to be based on a newly developed brew, called 'Chara'.
In order to understand the potential design, I must understand the product first.

http://i.huffpost.com/gen/1294334/thumbs/o-JUST-ADD-WATER-BEER-facebook.jpg < image reference at this link.

'Chara' is the name given to the brew, due to Roman influences, and it is mentioned in the brief, describing the relation of Caraway seeds, to the soldiers of Valeruius.

http://www.gourmetsleuth.com/images/default-source/dictionary/caraway-seed.jpg?sfvrsn=4 < image reference at this link.

Caraway seeds are narrow and they are usually brown in tone. They carry a distinctive bitter (with sweet undertone) taste, and they aren't technically seeds, but are in fact the split halves of dried fruits of a plant that are part of a spice. Their range of growth can be found in a large portion of Europe, North Africa, and North America.

http://www.lhw.com/App_Themes/search/images/browse_by_map.jpg < image reference at this link.

The seeds are often used in some Eastern/Central European dishes, and are commonly used with such fruits as apple, and such vegetables as potatoes.
As well as the 'Chara' brew, the seed flavouring can be found in such other alcoholic drinks including Kummel, Schnapps and Aquavit.

http://www.simplyrecipes.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/sauteed-chard-onions-caraway-b.jpg < image reference at this link.

The Romans ate the Caraway seeds after eating, in order to 'sweeten' the breath. It was also used to help ease digestion.
In the brief description, it mentions how Roman soldiers ate the milk and caraway seed dish known as 'Chara', to be used as a battle booster.

Caesar’s army was well known for eating a bread mix made with caraway root ('chara').
During the middle ages, caraway usage spread upward from the Arabian peninsula and into Northern areas in Europe.
Old herbal legends claimed to refer to the caraway seeds power, in keeping items from being lost or stolen. If some of the seeds were tucked into possessions, it was believed that they would then be protected from theft.
It was also used in ancient love potions.
The seed is known to be attractive to fowl, and is often used to keep chickens and pigeons from straying

http://assets.inhabitots.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/HOW-TO-Make-Raw-Vegan-Sunflower-Seeds-Milk-1-2.jpg < image reference at this link.

Due to the heavy use of Roman influences in the development of the brew, I feel that I of course must relate to the Roman theme in my designs and concepts.
I will produce a large blog discussing Roman culture, as a basis to work with.
Alongside the blog, I have begun work on a small brainstorm book, featuring a lot of information and illustrative doodles surrounding Roman culture.