The Edit: five projects including OMSE’s identity for Black Bee Honey that casts the bee as the hero

Each and every day, we’re lucky to discover dozens of interesting and inspiring projects from around the world. From global identities and campaigns to side projects and independently published books, The Edit is home to five of them; every two weeks. In a buzz-worthy collaboration, London-based independent design studio OMSE and Black Bee Honey have cooked up a new strategic positioning and visual identity for the honey brand. Titled ‘Keep British Honey Wild,’ the rebranding effort is a jubilant celebration of the wild and free spirit of the bee. The identity features a swarm of charming characters that embody Black Bee Honey’s core values, making a delightful nod to the landscapes and seasons from which the honey originates. “Each variety of Black Bee Honey is wildly unique, depending on the trees and flowers around the hives and the time of the year when the honey is made,” Creative Director Pedro Messias. OMSE worked with illustrators Cary Vander Yacht, Inga Ziemele, and Florence Poppy Redmore to turn each jar into a unique canvas, capturing what the world feels like from a bee’s point of view where and when the honey is made. From bespoke typefaces that echo the buzzing movement of bees and the drizzle of honey to a colour palette inspired by British flora, the brand truly immerses itself in nature. “We wanted every part of the brand to be inspired by the world of bees and honey,” explains Messias. “So when it came to typography, we looked for fun, characterful ways of bringing that to life.” The main headline typeface, Drip, suggests honey dripping via round ink traps. The secondary headline typeface, Waggle, is inspired by the bee’s ‘waggle dance’ signalling nectar location, while the final typeface, Runny, offers an expressive variation based on fluid honey.