A Fresh Take on Orange Wine Festivals: Skin Fest’s Bold Design Approach

Designed by Studio Andreas Nygård

Odin Ottem Berntsen launched the "Skin Fest" in 2023 after spending three years working with orange wine in Norway. The event aims to celebrate orange wine by creating a festival environment, bringing together people from different backgrounds who might not otherwise meet, and offering them a unique experience. It's a standout event in Scandinavia, with plans to expand across the Nordic region by 2025.

For the second edition of the festival in Oslo, Studio Andreas Nygård was commissioned to design a series of posters and venue visuals that would stand apart from the typical aesthetic of natural wine culture. An industry often characterized by hand-drawn scripts and earthy tones, it presented an opportunity to break from tradition and create something more striking.

Inspired by the visual style of music festivals and "lineups," the decision to prominently display the names of wine importers and partners helped reinforce the idea of Skin Fest being a true festival rather than just a trade show. The bold use of the "Flou" typeface, created by London-based Colophon Foundry, references the classic roman type often seen on traditional wine labels, giving a fresh twist to the festival's branding.

The metallic, liquid-like motif featuring the festival's name serves as a subtle reference to wine itself. By choosing metal as the material to mimic liquid properties, the studio added an unexpected and eye-catching element that defies the expected choice of simply featuring orange wine. This creative decision enhances the festival's bold, confident look and connects it with visual languages from festivals in other industries.

The poster series was printed digitally on 50x70 cm vinyl, with two versions: a "day" design showcasing the wine importers and a "night" version highlighting the musical performers. Each version has its own vibrant color palette, with bold oranges, magentas, and yellows, offering a fresh and dynamic take on the traditional wine colors.

Andreas Nygård is a graphic designer and art director from Oslo, Norway, known for creating impactful visuals, complete brand packages, visual identities, and web designs for a broad spectrum of clients. His portfolio includes work for organizations like The Red Cross, fashion retailer YME Universe, The Norwegian Opera & Ballet, and the Norwegian broadcaster TV2. In his design approach, Nygård focuses on building a strong visual language that reflects contemporary culture, ensuring his clients' stories are told in a way that feels both relevant and enduring.

A Fresh Take on Orange Wine Festivals: Skin Fest’s Bold Design Approach

Odin Ottem Berntsen launched the "Skin Fest" in 2023 after spending three years working with orange wine in Norway. The event aims to celebrate orange wine by creating a festival environment, bringing together people from different backgrounds who might not otherwise meet, and offering them a unique experience. It's a standout event in Scandinavia, with plans to expand across the Nordic region by 2025.

For the second edition of the festival in Oslo, Studio Andreas Nygård was commissioned to design a series of posters and venue visuals that would stand apart from the typical aesthetic of natural wine culture. An industry often characterized by hand-drawn scripts and earthy tones, it presented an opportunity to break from tradition and create something more striking.

Inspired by the visual style of music festivals and "lineups," the decision to prominently display the names of wine importers and partners helped reinforce the idea of Skin Fest being a true festival rather than just a trade show. The bold use of the "Flou" typeface, created by London-based Colophon Foundry, references the classic roman type often seen on traditional wine labels, giving a fresh twist to the festival's branding.

The metallic, liquid-like motif featuring the festival's name serves as a subtle reference to wine itself. By choosing metal as the material to mimic liquid properties, the studio added an unexpected and eye-catching element that defies the expected choice of simply featuring orange wine. This creative decision enhances the festival's bold, confident look and connects it with visual languages from festivals in other industries.

The poster series was printed digitally on 50x70 cm vinyl, with two versions: a "day" design showcasing the wine importers and a "night" version highlighting the musical performers. Each version has its own vibrant color palette, with bold oranges, magentas, and yellows, offering a fresh and dynamic take on the traditional wine colors.

Andreas Nygård is a graphic designer and art director from Oslo, Norway, known for creating impactful visuals, complete brand packages, visual identities, and web designs for a broad spectrum of clients. His portfolio includes work for organizations like The Red Cross, fashion retailer YME Universe, The Norwegian Opera & Ballet, and the Norwegian broadcaster TV2. In his design approach, Nygård focuses on building a strong visual language that reflects contemporary culture, ensuring his clients' stories are told in a way that feels both relevant and enduring.