Starbucks Unveils Its 2024 Holiday Cup Designs
Just like Mariah Carey, Starbucks is welcoming the holiday season a wee bit early. Starting November 7, the coffee chain announced that its highly-anticipated holiday cup designs will be arriving in stores, just as it does away with its non-dairy milk upcharge.
Designing the Perfect Cup
Heading up the design effort was Kristy Cameron, Starbucks’ creative director, who said that her team was inspired by "genuine moments of joy" for the look and feel of this year’s cups. "Whether that’s coffee trees growing, beans roasting, cups toasting, or lights glowing — we wanted to share the warmth of our coffeehouse and the anticipation of the red cups arriving with our customers and partners," Cameron said in a press release.
The "Merrier Together" Theme
This year’s theme is "Merrier Together," which the coffee giant says relates to its whole holiday campaign, with a palette that pairs Starbucks’ green and cranberry red with soft pastels inspired by fondant icing. Graphic elements take inspiration from vintage holiday ornaments, peppermints, and other holiday favorites.
The Designs
The hot cup sleeves include a "wavy motif" with a scalloped edge treatment, called the "siren wave," as well as little badges for baristas to write messages.
Warm Wishes
Starbucks’ Warm Wishes cup design. (Starbucks)
For the Warm Wishes cup, Starbucks designers were inspired by the overhead view of coffee cups coming together and toasting one another. The interconnected dots also look like the bokeh of glowing holiday lights, when circles of light blur together in harmony.
Joyful Connection
Starbucks’ Joyful Connection cup design. (Starbucks)
Starbucks took inspiration from coffee roasting for the Joyful Connection cup, pointing to the "round metal cooling tray" that its coffee is released into at its Reserve locations, as well as the whirling of a "mechanical arm" that cools the beans. These steps involve circular shapes which are combined to form this pattern concept.
Lyrical Landscape
Starbucks’ Lyrical Landscape cup design. (Starbucks)
"Vibrant, undulating lines" are threaded together for the Lyrical Landscape cup. The chain says the design is like a "perfectly wrapped gift" and "reminiscent of holiday ribbons and the green rolling hills where coffee is grown," with its alternating bands of red, green, and pink.
Siren Chorus
Starbucks’ Siren Chorus cup design. (Starbucks)
The Siren Chorus cup draws inspiration from the patterns made from "raking coffee beans in the sun" as well as the "flowing lines" of the Starbucks siren.
Holiday Cold Cup
Starbucks’ 2024 Holiday Cold Cup design. (Starbucks)
On this year’s Holiday Cold Cup, Starbucks says "festive charms" add a "touch of cheer" to the holiday season’s cool and icy beverages.
Conclusion
Starbucks’ 2024 holiday cup designs are a true celebration of the holiday season, with a focus on sharing joy and warmth with customers and partners. Whether you’re a fan of bold and bright colors or soft pastels, there’s a design to suit your taste.
FAQs
Q: When will the 2024 holiday cup designs be available?
A: Starting November 7, 2024.
Q: What is the theme of this year’s holiday campaign?
A: "Merrier Together".
Q: Who designed the holiday cup designs?
A: Kristy Cameron, Starbucks’ creative director, led the design effort.
Q: What inspired the design of this year’s cups?
A: "Genuine moments of joy" and the anticipation of the holiday season.
