Iron Packaging Design · 2022
Sorkhab Packaging
- A' Design Award 2022 Iron Winner in Packaging Design
- Awarded April 15, 2022
- CLIENT: Sorkhab
- Estimated Number of Design Views: 12,621
- Verification code 20930524D3 · Verify this award
About Sorkhab Packaging
Sorkhab Brow Soaps are made out of vegan and animal cruelty-free ingredients. For that reason, they wanted to make sure that the packaging also resonates with the nature of its content and that is why they chose wood as their main material. The smooth outlines of the package may catch the buyers' attention, even more. The product inside (soap) is made out of 100 % vegan materials, its package also conveys the fact that it is eco-friendly. The whole package is built out of the wasted hardwoods found in the furniture industry. That is one of the reasons why wood has been chosen over other.
Press Kit
- Unique Properties
- Since the product inside (soup) is made out of 100 % vegan materials, its package also conveys the fact that it is Eco-Friendly. The whole package is built out of the wasted hardwoods found in the furniture industry. That is one of the reasons why wood has been chosen over other materials.
- Dimensions & Packaging
- Width: 10.5 cm x Depth: 5 cm x Height: 3.5 cm
- Tags
- Brow Soup, Wooden Packaging, Packaging Design, Product Design, Creativity, Cosmetic, Packaging, Wood
- Production Technology
- The product was modeled with Rhino3D modeling software. The initial prototype was built by a Three-Axis CNC milling machine. To control the final manufacturing prices, the design is adjusted a bit, to the point that it is manufacturable by the rotary CNC milling machine. As for the eco-friendly approach, it's produced by wasted furniture industry hardwoods, they are all from Walnut, Beech, Ash, and Alder woods.
- Design Challenge
- Wood has been chosen as the main material to emphasize the product's nature as a vegan and animal cruelty-free cosmetic. Finding the best production method while having a reasonable price, was also a great challenge in this project.
- Project Duration
- 2020 first quarter, Tehran, Iran.
- Operation Flow
- It has tried to involve the audience in three different levels. First, they will notice the unusual outlines of the product and may find the streamlining of it interesting and unique. Second, they grab it in their hands and feel the natural texture of the wood. And third, they might find it really easy to use when trying to open the lid and using the product inside. There are three inserted magnets installed in the wooden package for its closure means. To open the wooden case, you can simply detach the lid from the magnets and easily use the soup.
- Research
- The fact that a growing number of people are gravitating towards Eco-Friendly materials and this cruelty-free and natural cosmetic product combination pushed the design research to focus on natural materials and sustainable ways of collecting and using them.
- Inspiration
- Being the ultimate source of inspiration, Nature played a crucial role in the process of the ideation stage. The organic shape of the wooden package was adopted from the curvature of the river stones, resulting in a smooth and sustainable design.
- Image Credits
- Elect Studio
and Amin Najafi
Colors of Sorkhab Packaging
Design Interview about Sorkhab Packaging
The main principle was to create a design that connects deeply with nature and evokes a sense of calm and balance, like holding a river stone in your hand. The inspiration came from natural forms and the idea of creating a sustainable product that feels organic yet modern.
My focus was on blending sustainability with functionality, ensuring that every element—from materials to form—resonates with the user’s values. I wanted to achieve a packaging design that feels personal, elegant, and rooted in environmental responsibility.
I hope this design inspires others in the industry to adopt sustainable practices. I also plan to explore similar concepts for other products, expanding the approach of combining reclaimed materials with thoughtful design.
The concept evolved over several months, balancing research, prototyping, and refining the form to achieve the final product.
This design was commissioned, but it aligned perfectly with my own passion for creating sustainable and meaningful designs. The client’s vision and my inspiration came together seamlessly.
Currently, the design is produced by small workshops using reclaimed wood. There are no plans to lease production rights, as the focus is on maintaining quality and sustainability.
The challenge of creating packaging that reflects both beauty and environmental responsibility drove me. It was an opportunity to showcase how materials and form can convey a story.
The natural forms found in Japanese and Scandinavian design inspired me, as they emphasize simplicity, functionality, and a deep connection to nature.
The target customers are eco-conscious individuals who value beauty products that align with their ethical and aesthetic values.
Its use of reclaimed hardwood, seamless integration of form and function, and a tactile user experience—enhanced by the magnetic closure—make it truly unique.
The name “Sorkhab” evokes a connection to the natural world and traditional aesthetics, blending cultural significance with modern design.
I used sketching, CAD software like Rhino, and prototyping with CNC milling to bring the concept to life.
The continuous line of the form, inspired by river stones, combined with its sustainable material and the magnetic closure, makes it both visually and functionally unique.
I collaborated with small woodworking workshops specializing in reclaimed materials and CNC operators for precise manufacturing.
Technology played a crucial role in achieving precision and optimizing material use through CNC milling while maintaining the natural aesthetic.
Yes, research into consumer preferences for eco-friendly packaging and the properties of reclaimed wood informed the material and design decisions.
Balancing sustainability with manufacturing costs was a significant challenge. I also had to ensure that the design retained its artistic integrity while being practical for production.
I felt that Sorkhab Packaging represented a unique approach to sustainable design, and sharing it internationally could inspire others and bring attention to eco-conscious practices.
I deepened my understanding of sustainable materials and learned to balance creative freedom with practical constraints. The project also enhanced my collaboration skills with small workshops.
I’d like to emphasize the importance of storytelling in design. Every element of Sorkhab Packaging—from material to form—conveys a narrative about sustainability, beauty, and respect for nature.
Grand Interview about Sorkhab Packaging
When you choose to care deeply about animal lives and the environment, it transforms the way you connect with nature. Designing a product with this sense of compassion means that every element should reflect that commitment. By using reclaimed hardwoods, Sorkhab Packaging not only reduces waste but also respects life by avoiding materials that may involve harm or exploitation. This approach embodies a cruelty-free, vegan ethos, creating a product that resonates with ethical values in every part of its design.
Holding a stone between your fingers that you’ve found in a river, lifting it out of the water—this moment captures the feeling of connecting with something that truly belongs to nature. This experience inspired me to create a form with solid proportions, a natural bond, and a shape that rests comfortably in the hand. I aimed to recreate this sense of connection using a natural material like wood, allowing Sorkhab Packaging to resonate with the calm, grounded essence of nature.
Sorkhab is a small business, and this packaging marked its debut. From the beginning, the client was concerned about costs, so I had to find a balance between quality and affordability. With a limited production run, it was essential to choose methods that allowed for artisanal quality but were still semi-industrial. For this product, an 8-head CNC milling machine was used, optimizing efficiency while preserving artistic integrity.I collaborated with small workshops that specialize in crafting wooden furniture legs, as they often have reclaimed wood available. By using their wood waste, I reduced several costs—such as material transport and intermediary fees—to almost zero. This approach benefited both sides: the workshops could generate revenue from materials that would otherwise go to waste, and Sorkhab achieved a sustainable, cost-effective solution.
Sorkhab contains brow soap that needs to be stored in a closed space, though not airtight. Since wood is a breathable material, the cap naturally integrates with the form without requiring an external mechanism, enhancing the seamless, stone-like shape that fits comfortably in the hand. On the other hand, the magnetic closure adds a sensory layer to the experience. Each time it clicks shut, it produces a satisfying sound, and the feel of wood clicking into place creates a uniquely pleasing tactile and auditory interaction.
In architecture, I learned that understanding the client’s perspective is essential to designing a space they’ll feel at home in. It’s about guiding their way of living to harmonize with the solid walls and materials surrounding them. Anthropology, on the other hand, taught me to think from the viewpoint of a community—not by imposing a perspective, but by living with and empathizing with them to truly understand their needs.For Sorkhab Packaging, I approached the design with a similar mindset. I aimed to connect with individuals who care about their beauty but also prioritize natural materials that are gentle on both nature and their skin. The brow soap within holds brows in the desired position, and it’s easy to rinse off, preventing any potential damage to the brows. This thoughtful combination of form, function, and empathy brings a deeper emotional connection to the product, aligning with users’ values and desires.
For me, the ‘wow’ moment of Sorkhab lies in the continuous line that connects every element—from the initial concept to the form, material, and production method. This seamless integration reflects a clear commitment to sustainable luxury, aligning aesthetics with eco-conscious choices, which I believe strongly resonated with the jury’s evaluation criteria.
When we talk about environmental responsibility in a product, it’s essential to create something familiar, recognizable, and approachable. Traditional materials, with their long-standing history, naturally carry this sense of familiarity. By pairing them with modern manufacturing techniques, we can adapt these materials for contemporary users, addressing current packaging needs while honoring environmental values.
When aiming to evoke the feeling of a river stone in hand, the product’s proportions naturally revealed themselves. My role was simply to refine these dimensions to create a calm and coquettish form that would comfortably rest in the hands of beauty enthusiasts.
When we reach a core idea that truly embodies the design, the journey becomes about nurturing and guiding this idea to its fullest potential. With Sorkhab, I simply observed and supported its evolution, allowing it to shape itself into what it is today. In contemporary design, there’s a mutual respect for the presence of both the object and the creator, fostering a relationship that values sustainability as an integral part of the creative process. I hope Sorkhab serves as an example in the cosmetic packaging industry, showing how deep-rooted, meaningful concepts can inspire sustainable practices.
The research highlighting consumer interest in eco-friendly materials was a pivotal influence on Sorkhab Packaging’s design. Beyond simply choosing wood, I aimed to make each material decision resonate with sustainable values and enhance the product’s natural feel. I selected reclaimed hardwoods to reduce environmental impact, emphasizing a connection to nature that users could feel in the texture and weight of the packaging. I also incorporated modern production techniques, like CNC milling, to optimize efficiency and minimize waste, creating a piece that not only meets eco-friendly expectations but also embodies a timeless, organic aesthetic that aligns with users’ values.