We had the distinct pleasure to interview award winning designer Weiche Wu about their original and creative Product Packaging design work. Weiche Wu is an award-winning communication designer, that makes our world a better place with their original product packaging works.
Weiche Wu ("WW") answered Design Interview ("DI") questions about their award-winning work Reshock Coffee Product Packaging. Interview questions prepared by Frank Scott.
WW : I hope that through the distinctive local culture and natural landscapes, tourists visiting A-Li Mountain can take home beautiful memories by engaging in consumer activities.
WW : Before designing this project, the team at the studio spent a significant amount of time researching the local natural landscapes, including observing the sunrise at A-Li Mountain and creating the brand story. As it is a packaging design with a storytelling approach, our intention is for consumers to experience the beauty of A-Li Mountain through this design.
WW : We hope that through this award opportunity, we can showcase this design that represents Taiwan's local culture to a wider international audience. We want people from other countries to get to know Taiwan and appreciate its beautiful scenery through this design.
WW : This design project took us over 6 months from the initial data collection and design research to the final design execution, printing, and production. We aimed to deliver a perfect product to consumers through this meticulous design and manufacturing process.
WW : We chose the breathtaking sunrise scenery of A-Li Mountain in Taiwan as the central concept for this gift box because it is an iconic tourist destination in Taiwan. Starting from this concept, we wanted to introduce the premium coffee beans sourced from A-Li Mountain, which perfectly aligns with the theme and essence of the design.
WW : This project is produced and manufactured by Reshock Coffee, a coffee brand based in Taiwan. In addition to being available for sale in Taiwan, there are also plans to expand its distribution overseas, aiming to promote both the product and Taiwan's tourism industry simultaneously.
WW : I believe this is a highly meaningful design project as it not only combines the beauty of Taiwan's A-Li Mountain with packaging design but also allows a wider audience to appreciate the beauty of this land.
WW : This design project was created by the Union Atelier team, with each designer actively involved in the process to deliver the best possible outcome to the public.
WW : This work is primarily designed for consumers who value high-quality coffee and tourists visiting A-Li Mountain in Taiwan. Therefore, the product features championship-grade coffee beans and incorporates packaging design that represents the local culture, aiming to attract consumers and encourage their purchases.
WW : This packaging design aims to provide consumers with a sense of ceremony and excitement throughout the unboxing experience and visual presentation. We hope that through these design techniques, the product becomes truly memorable and leaves a lasting impression on the consumers.
WW : The product's name represents the consumers' expectations for this beautiful land, blending the sound of "A-Li Mountain" and "Idealistic" in Chinese pronunciation, creating the Chinese brand name "Reshock."
WW : When the design process begins, I start by using traditional pen and paper to sketch out the design concepts. Once the concepts are well-developed, I collaborate with other team members in the studio to bring the designs to life using computer software. Throughout the design process, we constantly print out design models and create 1:1 scale prototypes to ensure the accuracy of every detail. Finally, we hand over the finalized design to a professional printing factory for the actual production of the finished product.
WW : I believe that the integration of the unboxing experience with the A-Li Mountain sunrise phenomenon is the most distinctive aspect of this design. This unique unboxing experience can create a profound impact on consumers, allowing them to truly immerse themselves in the design.
WW : During the process of designing this project, we had ongoing discussions with the team at Reshock Coffee to ensure that every detail was considered. We also took the time to understand different coffee flavors in order to create a more immersive design. In terms of packaging structure, we collaborated with packaging engineers to find the best approach. Our goal was to perfectly capture the essence of the sunrise phenomenon and deliver a complete and immersive experience for consumers.
WW : When we are having design discussions, we sometimes rely on computer simulations to quickly confirm the design effects. Computers can present an approximate visual representation of the design at a fast speed. Once we believe that the design direction is correct, we will print out the design drafts and create physical models. Through computer simulations, we can save a lot of time that would otherwise be spent on manual model-making, thus improving design efficiency.
WW : This design primarily focuses on the collection of natural cultural data. I gathered reliable information through online research, and our team further interpreted and consolidated it. We used the method of mind mapping to converge our inspirations and incorporated the design elements into the project.
WW : The biggest challenge of this design lies in how to incorporate these natural elements into the packaging design. Since these elements are highly realistic animals and plants, using them directly in the design may not achieve the desired texture and effect. Therefore, we explored various design techniques and ultimately decided to present them in the form of shadows, which effectively conveys the concept while maintaining a visually appealing design quality.
WW : Through international competitions, we can showcase this design that is rich in Taiwanese culture to people from other countries. I believe this is a fantastic opportunity to bring Taiwanese design and culture to a wider audience and share the beauty of our land.
WW : During the process of designing this product, we explored various design techniques and packaging box structures. Through this journey, our design team has gained a higher level of expertise in packaging structure design. With this valuable experience, we are confident in our ability to develop even more engaging and interesting packaging designs in the future.
WW : This design seamlessly blends nature, culture, and a sense of ritual, aiming to create a memorable experience for consumers through such interactions.
