Anja Zambelli Colak
Croatia
Anja Zambelli Čolak, born in 1983. Graduated from most prestigious design universities in Milan, Italy - Istituto Europeo di Design and Domus Academy where she got her Master’s degree in Business Design. Anja’s work has been published in design books “Packaging Structure” (ArtPower), “Take me away please” (DesignerBooks) and “Logo lounge” edition 2018 and 2020. “My passion is to understand the hidden value and the very essence of each client so that we can communicate those messages through branding and design.” Her education comes from two prestige design institutions in Milan, Italy: Istituto Europeo di Design and Domus Academy. Right after she got an M.A. in business design, she started to work for enterprises such as Unilever, 3M and Pininfarina, where she researched new ways of entering a market. “While I was working on new, progressive design strategies for large enterprises, I started to think of ways to transform those design tactics into functional branding for small and mid-sized businesses. Zambelli Brand Design was the direct result of those analyses and branding techniques.” Short after moving back to Croatia, Anja established Zambelli Brand Design studio with focus on creating brand strategies, verbal and visual identities. In her carrier Anja created some of the most known and popular Croatian brands such as: Surf'n'fries, HNK Rijeka, Logista, Vistini, Valfresco, Own solutions, Piko, Kisha, JIST, Dentorium, Barbieri’s and many others. Branding for the restaurant industry is one of her passion. Other than creating the branding for Surf'n'fries, the most successful Croatian franchise brand, last year, her branding expertise went beyond the European market. With her team, she created Bora Bora - a franchise brand for the QSR market based in GCC countries and Leen’s a restaurant brand based Dubai and Abu Dhabi. In 2017. she was selected as one of the Croatian winners of a Veuve Clicquot Business Woman Award that recognizes successful female entrepreneurs and in 2019. she received the Croatian Chamber of Commerce Award for product and brand design. In private life, Anja is married and has a seven-year-old daughter Emily. Access Anja Zambelli Colak Newsroom
Featured Designs
Anja Zambelli Colak
Sipan Island Treasures
The Green Captain project is a testament to the fusion of tradition and modernity. Born from the narrative of the world's youngest tanker captain turned cultivator, the project embodies a profound dedication to heritage preservation. The brand's icon, an amalgamation of a leaf and a hidden ship, represents the founder's story. In every detail, the packaging exudes storytelling. Each element pays homage to the brand's maritime roots and island heritage, from the symbolic captain suit motifs adorning olive oil bottles to the subtle ship emblems gracing wine labels.
A' Graphics, Illustration and Visual Communication Design Award - Bronze (2024) - Access Anja Zambelli Colak Sipan Island Treasures Press Kit
Anja Zambelli Colak
Branding
Quix are self-service vending machines that provide drinks and snacks. Quix’s branding was created by choosing colors, textures, and forms from Italian culture paying homage to the golden age of Italian design and the giants that defined it. As the consumer approaches to purchase a cup of coffee, the branding creates a unique visual experience in the space transporting the consumer to a different time and place evoking Italian coffee culture. Capturing the essence of Italian aesthetics Quix branding implements them on a small scale - from a cup of coffee to a vending machine.
A' Graphics, Illustration and Visual Communication Design Award - Silver (2021) - Access Anja Zambelli Colak Branding Press Kit
Anja Zambelli Colak
Branding and Packaging
Figura is a line of healthy products that are inspired by Mediterranean cuisine and lifestyle. Figura branding is designed around the fig icon stylized to create an air balloon. Figura packaging reflects the hues, tones, and textures of the Mediterranean adorned with a splash of gold, enhancing the premium quality of the products. Figura's founder traveled the world telling the story of her place of birth, this was the main inspiration for the brand and its design, this is why the air balloon icon was used. It tells the story of her voyage and her love for the Mediterranean.
A' Graphics, Illustration and Visual Communication Design Award - Iron (2022) - Access Anja Zambelli Colak Branding and Packaging Press Kit
Anja Zambelli Colak
Branding
Benin Company has been offering coffee services for over 30 years. A rebrand of the concept has been done in order to help turning their business into a franchise. The creation of Benin’s visual system was a result of an in-depth process that included the discovery of the client's business drivers and company culture. The symbolism of the Renaissance movement, as a starting point for Benin's concept design, illustrates the renaissance of the soul after having coffee, as well as the connection to Italy, the homeland of premium coffee.
A' Graphics, Illustration and Visual Communication Design Award - Iron (2021) - Access Anja Zambelli Colak Branding Press Kit