INSA is making waves in the Massachusetts recreational cannabis revolution. The cannabis startup was one of the first to open for recreational sales in the state — officially launching in this space at the company’s Easthampton location in December of 2018. We worked closely with the INSA team to build their brand from the ground up, creating a bold identity and a vibrant, versatile packaging system to stand out in a rapidly developing industry.

INSA began as a medical dispensary, known for their beautiful and modern retail spaces, high-end concierge service, and products sought after across the state. In our work to build their brand identity, we focused on the dedication to craft and high standard of care that guides their organization.

Leveraging in-depth research regarding the competitive landscape and interviews with key stakeholders, we created a new brand positioning: Live Your World. Centered on connectivity, this message emphasizes that INSA is a forward-facing brand that brings people together through the powerful effects of premium cannabis.

We brought the positioning to life through an exciting visual identity. The final logo features sleek, custom sans serif lowercase type, with a stylized dot over the INSA “i” that evokes two overlapping leaves — a reference to the combination of indica and sativa (in/sa) in the brand’s name.

As an extension of the positioning, the visual identity differentiates the brand’s flower profiles through five unique moods with corresponding icons, colors, and experience language. Inspiring lifestyle photography for billboards and posters invites consumers to embrace INSA cannabis for fun, for health, and for life.

To prepare INSA for their recreational launch, we built a complete packaging system. More than simply accommodating the brand’s product line of over 100 SKUs, the packaging system provides a massive opportunity to bring the brand positioning to life and create a unique consumer experience. The visual identity and packaging design move a product that has traditionally been hidden — right to the center of conversation.

Distinctive canvases showcase nature-inspired patterns that pop when applied to the retail packaging and provide a sensory shopping experience. Five patterns apply to the flower profiles, and a related pattern and color structure was created for non-flower products, including edibles, concentrates, vaporizers, distillates, tinctures, and capsules. Taken together, the overall system suits a product lineup that will continue to expand.

With a brand identity and packaging system unlike anything else in the industry, INSA had a successful recreational launch and is an emerging leader in the cannabis space. The company recently finalized a host agreement for a new retail location in eastern Massachusetts — its second recreational dispensary and third dispensary overall.