Brand designers are often evaluated on their portfolios, case studies, and client testimonials. Rarely, if ever, does anyone ask the truly critical question: “What was in your cup while you designed this?” And yet, if one observes the field long enough, a pattern emerges. The coffee‑stained sketchbook, the matcha‑ringed tablet, the sugar‑free energy drink perched beside the laptop—each beverage is a quiet but potent indicator of the brand that will emerge. This article offer