For this assignment, I was tasked with creating a multi-faceted, comprehensive semester-long project of my choosing. This project could take on an unlimited form. We were encouraged to focus on things we enjoy and focus on a field in design that we may be interested in. I created BUGGIN’, a sustainable snack brand made from cricket protein.

I wanted to focus on my passion for environmental sustainability by creating a brand that would champion creating a healthy planet with incredibly delicious insect-based snacks. A challenge I faced when creating this brand was how to make cricket-based snacks appealing to my audience, millennials, which required a lot of market research. This led me to the discovery that millennials are willing to pay more for a product that is eco-friendly so I focused on sustainability and transparency as driving factors for BUGGIN’. I created two products, cookies and protein bars, each with two unique flavors and packaging. I also created an Instagram account to utilize social media as a tool to reach a larger audience. The main logo of the brand was created to represent the fun and lively spirit of a cricket and the double g in the mark reflects the shape of cricket legs.

The project was successful in that I was able to introduce eating insects to an audience that is not familiar with it. At the exhibition for my project, I created cookies made with cricket flour for people to try, a first experience for many, and everyone enjoyed them! It was very unique to see my project breaking taboos in real-time.