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WorkGraphic Design

Mask Appeal: Anton Burmistrov's designs give a Mexican twist to tequila brand

Anton Burmistrov is a multidisciplinary graphic designer born in Estonia, who has lived in Mexico, Colombia, Bangladesh and China, and now resides in London. All this globe-trotting experience was the perfect background to his latest project, creating packaging designs for a tequila brand called Rudo and Tecnico.

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Tecnico tequila bottle with blue wrestling mask label on turquoise surface, surrounded by lime, salt, glass and potted cacti

The brand is inspired by Lucha Libre, a popular Mexican style of professional wrestling. All Lucha matches are based on the eternal battle between good and evil forces, represented by two groups of wrestlers: the Tecnicos, noble fighters and heroes, and the famous villains of the sport, brawlers and rule-breakers, the Rudos.

"The essence of Lucha is in its cool, edgy and mysterious style," explains Anton. "So the design of Rudo and Tecnico tequilas is based on the intricate masks worn by Lucha Libre wrestlers. Lucha mask is the main centrepiece and a visual anchor, surrounded by the elements that underscore the fascinating cultural tradition — the hand-drawn typography, illustrations and Victorian flourishes."

Tequilas are bottled into semi-artisanal, recycled Mexican glass, and laser-cut wooden tops echo the design of a wrestling mask. Labels are printed on robust premium stock with a gold ink finish, and the colour of each label is based on the tequila's maturity. For example, Blanco tequilas have the smallest ageing period and are cast in a pale colour when the mature colour of Anejo is complemented by darker tones and golden ink.

Rudo and Tecnico tequila bottle label featuring an ornate yellow Lucha Libre wrestling mask with red and gold decorative typography and Victorian flourishes on cream background
A bottle of Rudo tequila with a lucha libre mask design on its label, displayed against a coral-red wall alongside a green cactus and lime wedge
Two tequila bottles with laser-cut wooden tops shaped like Lucha Libre wrestler masks in blue and red, featuring intricate gold designs against a turquoise background
Rudo and Tecnico tequila bottle with skull wrestler mask label beside potted succulents and decorative objects on a bright yellow surface
Rudo and Tecnico tequila bottle with blue Lucha Libre wrestling mask stopper, displayed with a lime wedge and glass against a bright blue background
Rudo and Tecnico tequila bottle with ornate gold and red label featuring an intricate Lucha Libre wrestling mask design surrounded by decorative Victorian flourishes
Circular blue stamp for Tequila Estándar de Origen México featuring a stylised agave plant, set against ornate gold and turquoise decorative patterns on the bottle label
Rudo and Tecnico Blanco tequila bottle with ornate silver label featuring hand-drawn typography and Victorian flourishes against a light blue background
Rudo tequila bottle with ornate red and gold label featuring a stylised black wrestling mask and elaborate Victorian flourishes, shot against a patterned cream background
Ornate gold and cream lettering spelling "Rudo" with intricate flourishes and decorative baroque patterns in gold and blue on the Reposado tequila label design inspired by Lucha Libre wrestling masks
Rudo and Tecnico tequila bottle with blue and gold label featuring an ornate Lucha Libre wrestler mask design and decorative Victorian flourishes on a blue surface
Three Tecnico tequila bottles with blue and gold lucha libre mask designs on their caps and labels, displayed against a cream background
Rudo tequila bottle with red label featuring a stylised Lucha Libre wrestling mask design, gold lettering and ornate flourishes, topped with a red wooden stopper against a red background
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