Unitea is a tea brand created for a tea shop that caters  specifically to the LGBT+ community (and its allies). Currently, there are few public places available for LGBT+ persons to gather and meet other members of their community other than gay bars, but a bar is not an ideal place for those who do not or cannot drink, want to meet for lunch, or prefer a calmer environment.

The brand aims to unite the diverse members of both a local community and the LGBT+ community at large, to promote socialization, and to encourage the exploration of self-identity, having new experiences, and the acceptance of diversity.

Each of Unitea’s available flavors represent a specific identity within the LGBT+ community. Th e stripes evoke the imagery of pride flags, but have a structure specific to the tea boxes in order to create a more cohesive brand. In addition, a bright, welcoming feeling is created from the rich colors and the recognition of marginalized identities

The horizontal stripes stretch all the way around the sides of the package with the top stripe expanding to cover its top. One of the sides has a description of the box’s particular flavor. The opposite side contains some words about the Unitea company and its mission. The back side has the nutrition information, ingredients, and UPC code.

The tea boxes have a standard type of layout with plenty of extra tabs to create strength and stability in the assembled package. The finished box measures 4.5” x 3” x 3” and the die layout can fit within an 11” x 17” space.

The tea bags are individually wrapped in packets that match the box. There is a mystery flavor in each box, which could be any of the other flavors available. Its purpose is to add a fun element of surprise to the mix of the box and to encourage the acceptance of  diversity within groups by being a reminder that, like any mix of people, there will always be persons with different and unexpected identities, histories,preferences, and personalities mixed in.