INDUSTRIAL AND PACKAGING DESIGN

When we launched The Grass Agency in 2018, it had been just two years since Prop 64 took effect, essentially legalizing cannabis in California. The tides of prohibition were turning and a new breed of consumer was rising to the surface. Millennial women with an eye for beauty and wellness soon became the largest growing market segment. We developed our first line of original smoking accessories with them in mind. 

After two years raising funds and building connections, we began development on Superbloom, a modern pipe with ancient roots. Our debut chillum carried over the form and function of the world’s oldest-known smoking accessory while playing with shape and finish. After multiple experiments with material, we traded the traditional stone or clay for glass, and chose colors that spoke to our audience. 

For our branding and packaging, we drew inspiration from a wide-range of sources, most notably Emilio Pucci and Alexander Girard’s work for Braniff International and Charles and Ray Eames’ Powers of Ten. As a nod to the retrofuturistic visions that inspired us, we developed a fictional astral travel agency with a logo that subtly incorporates symbols of balance and enlightenment, like the yin and yang and an all-seeing eye.

For the Superbloom’s launch in the summer of 2023, we also designed a book of hemp rolling papers featuring a ticket to the very real exoplanet, Coconuts 2-b. Our pipes have since been featured in Broccoli, Gossamer, and Lauren Yoshiko’s Sticky Bits.

With a new product launch, we needed a website for DTC which we decided to do on Shopify. We started from a template so we could do as much of the design ourselves to stay within budget. However, the template was very limited so we created design mockups to hand off. We then worked with a contracted developer to bring our designs to life. We weren’t done there. Selling smoking accessories requires getting through a lot of red tape, so we had to find a high risk payment processor. It took a few applications and an office visit from the bank’s agent. Once our application was accepted, we worked with the payment processor to connect their cart to our website. Additionally, an age-gate is required on the site to ensure that only people ages 18+ could access our shop. You can experience our website at thegrassagency.com or scroll down below.

Credits:

• Concept and Design: The Grass Agency (Reena Karia & Christopher Trout)

• Product Production: Burning Tree Design

• Photography: Will Lipman Photo

• Photography Post Production: The Grass Agency

• UX/UI: The Grass Agency

• Development: HeyCarson