WELCOME TO THE JOURNAL
his is where we share what’s happening at Studio Picante, from recent awards and project launches to new client announcements, behind-the-scenes process, and creative decisions.
RECOGNITION
SHORTLISTED AT THE PENTAWARDS 2025
We’re proud to share that one of our recent projects has been shortlisted at the Pentawards 2025, the world’s most respected competition dedicated exclusively to excellence in packaging design.
While the project remains under embargo for now, this recognition speaks volumes. Not just for us as a studio, but for the strategy-first approach we bring to every collaboration.
At Studio Picante, packaging isn’t just about shelf appeal. It’s about building tools that help brands grow, systems that translate positioning into impact, drive purchasing behavior, and scale across SKUs and channels. Effective packaging doesn’t just look good. It performs.
This shortlisted project challenged the norms of its category. We redefined the brand’s visual presence through clear hierarchy, expressive personality, and intentional visual disruption, while staying rooted in the product’s promise. From color systems and materials to structure and typography, every detail was crafted to connect emotionally, differentiate strategically, and sell decisively.
To be shortlisted at the Pentawards means standing alongside a global roster of studios shaping the future of packaging — where design becomes a competitive advantage.
We’ll share more when the embargo lifts. Until then, we’re grateful for the recognition and proud of the strategy, design, and collaboration behind it.
NEW CLIENT
CURIO + STUDIO PICANTE: A Bold Leap into the Future of Play
We’re excited to announce our latest collaboration: Studio Picante has partnered with Curio, the daring startup behind the world’s first screen-free, AI-powered plush companions.
Meet Grok, Grem, and Gabbo, three smart, engaging characters that talk, sing, read, and respond in ways that go far beyond traditional toys. Curio blends storytelling, music, and conversational AI to redefine how children connect with technology, without relying on screens.
Following a successful 2023 beta launch, which featured contributions from artist Grimes, Curio is entering its next stage of growth. Studio Picante has been brought on to lead strategic packaging design, developing a system that’s not only imaginative and emotionally resonant, but also commercially effective.
Our challenge is to translate Curio’s innovation into packaging that clearly communicates function, sparks delight, and earns trust — all while standing out in a crowded, fast-evolving category. From structural design and storytelling hierarchy to color, type, and materials, we’re crafting a packaging experience that sets the tone for Curio’s next chapter.
This partnership reflects what Studio Picante is all about: helping ambitious startups shape new categories through bold, purposeful design.
EDUCATION
CHRIS BERNAY JOINS ADOBE'S CREATIVE APPRENTICESHIP AS A MENTOR
We’re thrilled to announce that Studio Picante’s founder, Chris Bernay, has been selected as a Mentor for the Adobe Creative Apprenticeship Program, a bold new initiative unveiled in London this year.
Launched by Adobe in partnership with top creative leaders, the program is designed to open real doors for the next generation of designers. It offers paid, hands-on apprenticeships for emerging creatives—focusing on those who may not have access to traditional pathways into the industry. By pairing junior talent with experienced mentors, Adobe is building a more inclusive, diverse, and equitable future for the creative world.
At Studio Picante, we believe that bold design begins with bold opportunities. We’re proud to support a program that doesn’t just talk about change—it creates it.
RECOGNITION
WINNER AT THE ODA ANNUAL AWARDS CEREMONY 2025
We’re thrilled to announce that Studio Picante has been recognized with a WINNER award at the ODA Awards, celebrated on April 17th! 🏆
The award was given in the Best Marketing category for our work on Jump Festival — a vibrant, fictional event designed for kids.
Jump Festival was originally created by Chris Bernay during a live Adobe Live streaming session, where creatives were challenged to build a full event brand from scratch in just a few days. Later on, Studio Picante revisited and reimagined the project, giving it a full rebranding: refining the visual identity, expanding the marketing assets, and building a stronger narrative around a world where kids are free to explore, create, and move.
Adobe Live’s initiative to connect designers with the creative community has always been a source of inspiration for us, and it’s truly rewarding to see this project — born from a spirit of exploration and creativity — being recognized on a global stage.
Thank you to the ODA Awards for this honor, and to everyone who has supported our journey!
RECOGNITION
DOUBLE WIN: STUDIO PICANTE & CHRIS BERNAY RECOGNIZED AT THE ODA AWARDS 2024-Q3
We’re thrilled to announce that both Studio Picante and its founder, Chris Bernay, have been honored with two prestigious awards at the Online Design Awards (ODA) 2024-Q3 contest. The project was recognized as Winner in the category of Event Marketing and received Gold in Branding.
This winning project, created during an Adobe Live session, envisioned a fictional art and music event for kids. It combined playful, imaginative branding with a dynamic marketing strategy, celebrating creativity and inspiring young audiences.
These awards highlight the synergy between Chris’s vision and Studio Picante’s bold design philosophy. Together, we strive to craft daring, authentic designs that transcend trends and leave a lasting impact.
We’re incredibly grateful for this recognition and for the opportunities that continue to challenge and inspire us. Stay tuned as we bring more daring projects to life at Studio Picante!
RECOGNITION
GLORIOUS PACKAGING WINS BEST AT THE 61ST AMERICAN GRAPHIC DESIGN AWARDS 2024
We’re thrilled to share that Chris Bernay, founder of Studio Picante, has won the prestigious Best Packaging Design award for his work as Creative Director and Principal Designer on the Glorious Packaging project at the 61st Edition of the American Graphic Design Awards.
The American Graphic Design Awards, hosted by GDUSA, have been recognizing outstanding design for over 60 years. This flagship competition celebrates the very best in graphic design across various categories, and receiving such an honor highlights Chris’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of packaging design. This win underscores Chris’s philosophy of delivering authentic and daring design solutions that go beyond trends. At Studio Picante, our focus is always on creating designs that resonate deeply and elevate the brands we work with.
We want to thank GDUSA for this recognition, and express our gratitude to everyone who has supported this journey. Stay tuned for more exciting updates from Studio Picante as we continue to innovate and take risks in the world of design.
RECOGNITION
CATEGORY WINNER & GOLD AT ODA AWARDS 2024-Q2
Studio Picante is thrilled and deeply grateful for the recent recognition at the 2024 ODA Awards! Our rebranding and packaging redesign for Gandour’s snack brand, Cric-Crac, earned us Winner in the Packaging Category and Gold for Brand Design, a true honor in the industry. This achievement highlights our dedication to pushing creative boundaries and delivering impactful visual identities. Thank you to the ODA team for this distinction—celebrating this milestone energizes us for future projects!
LIVE STREAMING
THE ADOBE LIVE SESSIONS
Chris Bernay’s recurring participation in Adobe Live sessions highlights his creative expertise and unique approach to brand identity design. In these live sessions, Chris dives into his design process, showcasing techniques in visual identity development, typography, and packaging design that captivate a global audience. His insights inspire viewers and illustrate the thoughtful strategy behind Studio Picante's work. We’re proud to see his impact on the creative community through Adobe’s platform.
DESIGN PROCESS
THE ART OF LETTERING
In these captivating videos, Chris Bernay demonstrates his talent for lettering with precision and artistry. Each scene reveals his meticulous approach, blending typographic expertise with artistic flow. His skill in transforming simple strokes into complex letterforms is a mesmerizing display of both craft and creativity, giving viewers insight into the dedication and technique behind every design. These videos are a celebration of the art of lettering, brought to life through Chris’s practiced hands.
HIDDEN TALENT
MUSIC PHOTOGRAPHY
Chris Bernay is a seasoned photographer whose lens has captured the spirit of the music scene across the Americas. With a focus on portraiture, he spent years documenting artists in the United States and South America, building an evocative portfolio that of the electrifying energy of live performances. He has covered major festivals such as Coachella in California and Lollapalooza in Chicago, immersing viewers in the vibrant atmospheres of these iconic events. Bernay’s photography has garnered recognition in esteemed publications worldwide, including Resource Magazine (New York), Status (Asia), and has even been showcased on Coldplay's official website. His work, celebrated for its depth and authenticity, continues to resonate with audiences globally.
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