Harrison 
Kankan, a brand that sells hand and body washes in soda-style cans, has upgraded its packaging with a new visual identity and a reusable clip-on pump.
London-based studio Morama and Two Times Elliott collaborated on the redesign, which not only celebrates the use of cans, but also improves the look and functionality of the can-can products.
Morrama was responsible for designing a recycled plastic pump that clips directly onto the can and can be reused over and over again.
Meanwhile, banding studio Two Times Elliott developed a brand identity that leverages both the blocky aesthetic of the can and the natural ingredients found in Kankan’s products.
Kankan co-founder Eliza Flanagan said: “This is a more upscale, premium offer commensurate with the quality of the products included.”
“Our mission is to show that modern sustainability doesn’t have to be a reminder of the past,” she told Dezeen. “We feel it could have broader appeal.”
Flanagan and fellow co-founder Mary McLeod first launched Kankan in 2019 with the aim of creating a more convenient and sustainable approach to refill products.
The use of aluminum cans makes the packaging very distinctive and much more recyclable than the plastic pouches used by other brands. However, it wasn’t as appealing or as easy to use as other body washes on the market.
On a mission to improve functionality, the studio’s strategy was to rethink the refilling process so that customers no longer have to transfer liquid soap to another container.
Instead, simply clip the reusable pump to the top of the can and secure it with a thumbscrew.
“We saw this as an opportunity to strip away the materials used and consider the can itself as part of the product,” says Morama creative director and climate organization Design Declers. said Joe Bernard, one of the co-founders.
The pump is made primarily from post-consumer recycled polypropylene. It contains a small amount of virgin plastic, which Bernard hopes to find a way to engineer.
“We decided to use recycled polypropylene with circularity in mind,” she said. “Not only is it made from waste plastic, but it can also be recycled at the end of its life.”
“Of course, there are a lot of great bio-based materials out there,” she added. “But most of them can’t withstand the humid environment of a bathroom, so we want our can-can pumps to be used repeatedly.”
The next step was to make some subtle adjustments to the can.
The new version is made of tin instead of aluminum, so it won’t rust, and the lid is completely removable, making it easier to install the pump.
For its new graphic identity, Two Times Elliott has developed a logo font inspired by the shape of a can.
Designer Edmund Locke said: “The idea is that each letter is stackable and uniform, like the cans themselves.”
Other aspects of the visual identity refer to Kankan’s range of fragrances made exclusively using essential oils.
Each of the four fragrances – Grounded, Harvest, New Leaf and Bloom – is assigned a different color.
These hues, which include shades of lilac, olive green, sage green, and yellow, are meant to not only give a fresh look, but also complement the cold industrial look of exposed metal.
“I think it’s a bit of a metaphor within the industry to do something that feels very natural and feels very soft,” Locke said. “But we wanted to make it more advanced, emphasizing the fusion of nature and science and technology.”
Products are shipped in cardboard packaging, helping to further reduce your carbon footprint.
“Our goal is to make circular solutions simple and easy for consumers,” Flanagan added. “By making refills more convenient, we hope to broaden its appeal and reduce the consumption of single-use plastics in households.”
Both Morrama and Two Times Elliott are experts in designing products with sustainability in mind.
Morama’s previous work includes recyclable COVID-19 test kits and razors aimed at tackling the plastic waste issue, and his Two Times Elliott portfolio includes refillable deodorants. This also includes the branding of the drug Fussy.
