Koa

Combo partnered with the founders of Koa to help bring an array of Hawaii-influenced skin products to market. The thoughtful brand focused on caring for the earth, each other and our own skin every day. Pulling from the founders’ Hawaiian roots, Koa was positioned and designed as a reef-safe gender-inclusive skincare brand, spotlighting the same values as the progressive consumer they were trying to reach.

KOA Thumbnail 01 COMBO
KOA Product 01
KOA Website Half Template
KOA Product 02
KOA Product 03
KOA Product 06 COMBO
KOA Product 04
KOA Product 05
KOA Photo 03
KOA Photo 04
KOA Photo 05
Reflecting Origin in Identity

Skincare from Hawaii, for Everywhere

Hawaii has 14 different microclimates—one of the highest concentrations in the world— making it a unique position from which to think about skincare. Growing up there, Koa’s three cofounders knew firsthand the importance of caring for one’s skin under extreme weather conditions, and understood this as an asset when formulating for their skincare line. Developing products to withstand the toughest environmental factors, from sun and ocean to wind and humidity, meant the outcome could be used successfully anywhere else. As one of Koa’s cofounders was also a founding partner at Combo, Combo was involved with Koa from its inception all the way to in-market phases, playing a role more akin to brand co-creator than consultant.

Hawaii is home to a majority of the world’s major climate zones.
Koppen Climate Classification System

Formulating with Time-Tested Ingredients

When formulating for optimal performance, Koa turned to the rich natural database of native and localized plants ©. Unique ingredients like the kukui nut, giant seaweed, sugarcane and the noni fruit were chosen for their ancient healing properties and were incorporated across the product line. With the Hawaiian climate as the yardstick, the answer to its extreme conditions rightly lay in Hawaiian expertise and ingredients—something intuitively understood by those who have personal ties to the land, like the company’s founders. This perspective would remain central as Koa moved into the brand and visual identity work, with ongoing support from Combo’s strategy and design teams.

© 18- to 34-year-olds want beauty and personal care products with natural or organic ingredients that are sourced and manufactured following ethical and environmental standards. The below graph reflects importance of various factors in health and beauty products, based on respondent data.

Brand Narrative and Content Strategy

To craft a brand identity that expressed Koa’s core ideals, the team leveraged the Hawaii-specific origin story and skincare formulas into a narrative that extended the pointedly local to anyone who wanted to receive those benefits. The design team created a visual world that blended youthfulness with a central connection to nature, a sentiment that was inherent to the Hawaiian lifestyle but could also be relatable, or aspirational, to young urbanites.

Visual Identity and Asset Creation

Designers created an elevated and minimal look for the brand, reflecting the limited and purposefully selected ingredients of the products. Color choices were rooted in the idea of a contemporary earthiness, vibrant yet relaxed shades that complemented energetic landscapes. The team designed visual assets including both product photography and lifestyle shots, as well as the packaging, all of which was brought in to ensure that the commerce platform and greater site layouts expressed the Koa brand story.

Koa is making self-care second nature, because they believe that when you take care of yourself, it’s better for everyone.
Forbes

New business: Connect with a partner.

Job inquires: View our handbook.

Newsletter©: Sign up.

Combo
76 Bowery, 3rd Floor
NYC, 10013

Social Media
Instagram, Behance, LinkedIn

View our show reel:
Watch video

General inquiries:
hello@combo.co

Media inquires:
press@combo.co

Privacy Policy