A graphic design class at St. Clair County Community College, based in Port Huron, MI, USA, recently partnered with a local brewer to design the company’s next stylish beer label. ThumbCoast Brewing Company requested students create a label for the upcoming release of its Huron Selkie beer.

The Huron Selkie is a Scottish ale that is scheduled to be released later in the fall. Dennis Doyle, ThumbCoast owner, provided a list of requirements for the winning label. The student whose label is chosen will have the design featured on the bottle and win $500 for school-related expenses.

The label will incorporate the product’s mythology. A selkie is a cross between a human and a seal, which is similar to a mermaid. “One of the guidelines for the students was to incorporate that folklore and the Scottish theme while also drawing in local references,” Doyle told The Times Herald. “They also needed to incorporate our brand and our typical label design guidelines because we want people to recognize a ThumbCoast label no matter what beer it is, so we need that consistency as well.”

The Times Herald interviewed student Jason Grill, and he focused on the changing landscape of beer labels. With many customers running unique and seasonal designs, these digital short runs focus on eye-popping graphics that will stand out on the shelf. “Beer labels now are less serious and more fun and creative,” Grill said. “I wanted something fun and cartoony.”

The project provided the students with life experience that craft beer vendors and label designers go through on a daily basis. “I thought this was a good way to give a quick understanding of what a real world project would entail with deadlines and brand guidelines,” Doyle said. “I wanted to do this because I have seen so many people leave school with an understanding of what work life really is.”

Port Huron residents had the chance to vote on the winning design, which will appear on the bottle in the coming month.