Silver Packaging Design · 2026
Zhang Gong Lao Jiu 1975 Baijiu Packaging
by Wen Liu
- A' Design Award 2026 Silver Winner in Packaging Design
- Awarded April 15, 2026
- CLIENT: Shenzhen Oracle Creative Design Co.,Ltd.
- Estimated Number of Design Views: 22,482
- Verification code 47939B6463 · Verify this award
About Zhang Gong Lao Jiu 1975 Baijiu Packaging
Zhang Gong Lao Jiu 1975 is packaging designed for a Chinese liquor. The overall form takes inspiration from the century-old locust trees that grow on the distillery grounds. The outer box is made of eco-friendly pulp, and the bark texture is formed by embossing instead of ink printing. The bottle is fired with Chinese white glaze, and kiln transformation creates natural patterns in some areas. The bottle surface recalls the worn texture of old fermentation pits. The package measures 125 by 125 by 290 millimeters.
This distinguished packaging design emerges from a rich tradition of artisanal spirits presentation, drawing upon centuries of ceramic craft heritage while embracing contemporary sculptural sensibilities that elevate the drinking vessel to the status of contemplative object. The designer appears to engage deeply with concepts of material transformation, suggesting through the raw stone base the geological origins from which water sources spring, while the refined white vessel body evokes the purification processes central to distillation traditions. The relationship between natural stone and polished ceramic speaks to broader philosophical themes concerning human refinement of nature's gifts, a meditation particularly resonant within East Asian aesthetic frameworks where the appreciation of craftsmanship involves recognizing the journey from raw material to finished form. The typographic treatment demonstrates sophisticated understanding of traditional calligraphic principles, with characters positioned to honor vertical reading conventions while metallic gold ink adds ceremonial gravitas appropriate to celebratory occasions. The accompanying container extends this narrative through its remarkable relief carving, which transforms functional packaging into landscape representation, perhaps evoking mountain ranges associated with pure water sources or the terroir from which grains are cultivated. The 1975 date marking suggests heritage and temporal depth, inviting contemplation of continuity across generations of craft knowledge. Technical accomplishment reveals itself in the seamless integration of disparate materials and textures, the precise balance between ornamental restraint and visual richness, and the careful calibration of chromatic relationships that maintain coherence while celebrating material diversity. How might the act of unwrapping, revealing, and finally pouring from such a vessel transform an ordinary moment into ritual appreciation?
Press Kit
- Unique Properties
- It carries forward four millennia of traditional brewing techniques, supported by unique resources including century-old fermentation pits and maturation vats. The distillery grounds feature a grove of hundred-year-old locust trees, whose blossoms are skillfully incorporated into the fermentation process through a distinctive "locust blossom in fermentation" technique. This imparts a unique aromatic profile and an exceptionally smooth, mellow character to the liquor. The exterior packaging incorporates the textured appearance of locust tree bark, while the bottle design echoes the weathered texture of ancient fermentation pits, presenting a rustic yet sophisticated aesthetic.
- Dimensions & Packaging
- 125mm*125mm*290mm
- Tags
- Natural, Unadorned Simplicity
- Production Technology
- The liquor box is crafted from eco-friendly pulp, showcasing the natural texture of locust tree bark through embossed patterning instead of ink printing. The bottle is fired with Chinese white glaze, revealing naturally formed kiln-transformed textures in localized areas.
- Design Challenge
- Through repeated field studies, the textures of locust trees, the patina of century-old fermentation pits, and the surface details of aged walls were meticulously examined. Multiple rounds of modeling and 3D prototype revisions ultimately yielded the desired representation of natural texture.
- Project Duration
- March 2024, Shenzhen, China
- Operation Flow
- The product exudes an unrefined, natural beauty, conveying a free-flowing charm through its organic form. Its warm texture and fluid contours instinctively invite touch, guiding the viewer to discover, through tactile exploration.
- Research
- Through on-site research, a detailed market report was compiled based on insights gathered from over 300 consumers and key distributors.
- Inspiration
- The packaging's overall form draws inspiration from century-old locust trees, translating the textured bark and marks of time into a visual language of design. By showcasing naturally accumulated textures, it interprets the slow maturation of aged liquor—each mark embodies the formation of flavor, each sedimentation contributes to the liquor's depth. This is the art of nature, crafted by time.