Horizon Organic

Intent

To reestablish Horizon Organic as the leader in organic dairy by crafting a bold new identity that champions its vision of health and sustainability for all.

Horizon Organic’s mission is to  create a healthy, happy future for all

The challenge

As America’s first organic dairy pioneer, Horizon Organic has grown into a household name since its founding in 1991, when it burst onto the scene selling products free from antibiotics and growth hormones. Since then, the sector has become increasingly competitive, with a growing list of disruptors showing up on the shelves.

To reassert its leadership and mark a new chapter, Horizon Organic needed a refreshed brand identity that highlights its commitment to healthier, more sustainable food communities. We set out to develop a fresh brand language, story, and design system to signal Horizon Organic’s expanding product diversity and its mission to create a healthy, happy future for all.

The idea

The visual symbol of the shared horizon stands at the heart of the new brand system, serving as the basis for all creative applications. Horizon’s signature arc connects its pioneering past to a forward-thinking future — a motif that embodies the brand’s bold aspiration to revolutionize America’s food system while celebrating its heritage. Happy the Cow, Horizon’s beloved mascot, takes center stage as a beacon of the brand, able to flex in different ways alongside the visual language to celebrate the diversity, inclusivity, and imagination within our shared horizon. Handcrafted illustrations across the design system enable Horizon to clearly communicate the benefits of each distinctive dairy item as the brand grows into new product areas.

The impact

In April, 2024 Horizon was sold by Danone to private equity firm Platinum Partners for an undisclosed sum. Having grown to be the largest USDA-certified organic dairy brand in the world, Horizon leveraged its new brand platform to diversify the brand into new areas, such as lactose-free products and milk for growing kids.

Successfully sold by Danone to private equity firm Platinum Partners in 2024.