Silver Packaging Design · 2024
Long Xi Incense Stick Packaging
- A' Design Award 2024 Silver Winner in Packaging Design
- Awarded April 15, 2024
- CLIENT: Shenzhen Chushan Design Culture Group Co., Ltd.
- Estimated Number of Design Views: 44,007
- Verification code 718CAA11BF · Verify this award
About Long Xi Incense Stick Packaging
Long Xi is a packaging design for incense sticks. An aluminum-coated film bag encases a wooden box, creating a contrast between the two materials. The wooden box uses a curved sliding structure and layered cotton paper labels in place of conventional plastic seals. Inside, the contents are stacked, and a sponge-padded cardboard layer protects them during transport while carrying brand information. An accessory box with a handle sits at the bottom. Gold stamping and embossing reproduce dragon and bronze patterns from ancient China.
Menghao Zeng's Long Xi Incense Stick Packaging represents a distinguished contribution to contemporary packaging design that thoughtfully bridges traditional craft heritage with modern visual communication principles. The work appears to draw upon centuries of woodworking tradition, most notably through its employment of exposed dovetail joinery, a construction method historically associated with fine furniture and ceremonial objects across many cultures. This deliberate visibility of structural elements suggests an ethos of material honesty and craft transparency increasingly valued in premium packaging contexts. The chromatic program balances warm timber tones with carefully considered accent elements: the vermillion sections evoke celebratory and auspicious associations common in traditional East Asian visual culture, while cream and gold components introduce notes of refinement and purity. The calligraphic elements adorning the lid surface demonstrate sensitivity to typographic heritage, their forms suggesting ancient seal script traditions while functioning within contemporary graphic design frameworks. One might observe how the diagonal paper band creates visual movement while practically serving to seal and protect the contents, exemplifying the integration of aesthetic and functional considerations that characterizes accomplished packaging design. The circular aperture introduces both geometric interest and potential functional utility, perhaps allowing aromatic properties to emanate from within. Positioned upon natural sand, the presentation context invites contemplation of relationships between refined human craft and elemental materials, between cultural sophistication and natural simplicity. How might one consider the ways in which packaging design serves not merely as protective enclosure but as meaningful cultural artifact communicating values, heritage, and intentionality?
Press Kit
- Unique Properties
- By merging aluminum-coated bags with wooden boxes, we craft a distinctive cross-material visual, enhancing the product's appeal. The wooden box incorporates a sliding structure and multi-layered stickers to replace conventional plastic seals, harmoniously blending ceremony and practicality while enriching the historical legacy of bronze.
The "Longxi" series arises from a unique blend of bronze craftsmanship and texture, delivering a distinct bronze culture experience, aligning with the brand. - Dimensions & Packaging
- Width 160mm x Depth 160mm x Height 55mm
- Tags
- fragrant, Bronze Culture, Orient, ancient method, Chinese Dragon, Eastern Culture
- Production Technology
- To seamlessly blend the wooden box's appearance with historical culture, we use various cotton paper labels for sealing and printing historical documentary materials, Gold stamping and embossing techniques add visual depth, ensuring meticulous replication of bronze patterns from 2400 years ago. This fosters a connection with past culture, evokes emotional resonance, and enhances cultural identity.
The packaging employs advanced technology for precise replication, with materials of enhanced texture and special techniques, ensuring exceptional quality and execution in both appearance and tactile experience. - Design Challenge
- Finding the balance between traditional craftsmanship and contemporary aesthetics has always been the biggest challenge for our team, especially when it comes to avoiding the visual staleness often associated with traditional craft packaging. Making overly innovative changes could lead to a deviation from existing market perceptions. We strive to find opportunities for integration between traditional heritage and modern sensibilities, bridging the gap between tradition and contemporary taste.
- Project Duration
- Completed in Shenzhen from December 2022 to October 2023
- Operation Flow
- In the structure of the wooden box, we have incorporated a curved sliding mechanism for easy retrieval of the product. Internally, the design employs a stacked arrangement, with a top layer covered by sponge-padded cardboard. This not only protects the product from compression during transportation but also provides an opportunity to showcase brand information. At the bottom, there is an accessory assembly box with convenient handles for easy accessory retrieval. Thanks to the stacked structure, the entire packaging has reduced dimensions, ensuring safe transportation while saving on shipping costs.
- Research
- The dragon motif and bronze patterns used in this craft are derived from bronze artifacts dating back to the Warring States period of ancient China, around 2600 years ago. We have extracted these exquisite patterns and transformed them into products that align with contemporary aesthetics and usage patterns. This allows us to better appreciate traditional wisdom and the aesthetics of ancient civilizations.
- Inspiration
- This bronze incense holder packaging seamlessly combines visual inspiration from Eastern culture dating back 2400 years, providing users with a distinctive cultural ritual experience. Building upon a contemporary reinterpretation of Eastern culture, we skillfully blend electroplated aluminum film bags with wooden materials, perfectly encasing the wooden box to create a design that exudes a heightened sense of technology.
- Image Credits
- Chushan Design