OVERVIEW
The IMMUNIMALS project is a heritage revitalization that transforms the controversial, 1960s Funny Face drink mix into a premium 2026 wellness brand. I replaced high-sugar formulas and insensitive caricatures with a health-conscious identity centered on "Analog Joy".
I developed a narrative-rich experience featuring 3D "hugging" mascotsCheetah-Chase Strawberry, Monkey-Around Orange, and Zebra-Zigzag Lime. By swapping sugar for Stevia and Monk Fruit and adding Vitamin D3, I turned a discontinued relic into a high-end "parenting win". This project proves that expressive design can vindicate nostalgia while prioritizing modern health and creative play.
Analysis & Reimagining
The Problem: Identifying the flaws of the original 1964 Funny Face , including racially offensive names and imagery , the use of FDA-banned cyclamates , and a reliance on "sugar-fueled chaos" that led to its 1994 discontinuation.
The Solution: Shifting from a "screaming sugar fruit" era to a premium 2026 "parenting win". This reimagining swaps clinical wellness for "Analog Joy" , utilizing 3D "hugging" mascots , natural sweeteners like Stevia and Monk Fruit , and a high-end Expressive Maximalism aesthetic.
Brand Identity & Storytelling
Creating "BLOKS": Developing a new brand name and a professional, minimalist logo through paper crafting and multiple renditions.
Mascot Development
From Caricature to Character: The art direction shifts from the 1960s "screaming sugar fruit" and insensitive caricatures to a premium, collectible squad of "Immunimals". These new designs—Cheetah-Chase Strawberry, Monkey-Around Orange, and Zebra-Zigzag Lime—prioritize visual health cues and 3D expressive energy.
Tactile Storytelling: To build an instant emotional connection, the mascots use "hugging" poses and soft-touch visuals. The visual style incorporates grainy gradients and stippling to make digital assets feel physical and "collectible," retaining the high-energy spirit of the heritage brand while channeling it into purposeful, creative play.
The 3D Characters
The Animation
Packaging & Structure
The Sachet Design: Moving away from the low-fidelity, minimal layout of the original 10-cent packets, the new matte-finish sachets are optimized for a premium retail experience. The updated form factor features a soft-touch visual style with "hugging" mascots that create an instant emotional connection for Millennial parents.
The Premium Experience: To transform the product from a simple powder into a "parenting win," each sachet is designed as a narrative-rich event. The layout clearly highlights clean-label benefits—0g Sugar, Vitamin D3, and No Artificial Flavors—to provide relief and peace of mind during the daily "hydration battle".