We had the distinct pleasure to interview award winning designer Tiravy Guillaume about their original and creative 50cl Infused Liquor Bottle design work. Tiravy Guillaume is an award-winning communication designer, that makes our world a better place with their original 50cl infused liquor bottle works.
Tiravy Guillaume ("TG") answered Design Interview ("DI") questions about their award-winning work Maquera 50cl Infused Liquor Bottle. Interview questions prepared by Frank Scott.
TG : Maquera’s packaging forges a direct connection with enthusiasts, introducing a container intentionally designed for a new homemade infusion after enjoying its original contents. A replaceable label overlaps a screen print, creating an asymmetry. Crafted from durable materials, it becomes infinitely reusable. This approach addresses consumer concerns, making the product stand out on the shelf while being entirely sustainable.
TG : This design pertains to a limited edition collection of beverages offered by Maquèra. Therefore, it will be a collector's bottle that will never be reissued.
TG : This project launched in May 2022 in Occitanie, France, shortly after the official registration of the Maquera brand. It took time to earn the owner's trust, undergoing several vintages and as many iterations before reaching the final version, which was achieved one year later in May 2023.
TG : This work was commissioned, and I was greatly honored by the request.
TG : It has been produced by an occitan company owned by the master infuser in 2023 and 2024.
TG : I was the sole designer working on this project, but it is the result of a collective effort involving many passionate individuals.
TG : Infusing liquor is a hobby that brings together a large community of passionate individuals. Maquera’s master infuser aimed to establish a direct connection with them. When purchasing liquors, they have an intention to reuse the bottle in the future. They seek robust materials and ample space to apply writable tape, allowing them to remember the date of infusion and the exact recipe.
TG : The bottle stands out on the shelf due to its asymmetric design. Its prominent wood and cork stoppers offers a satisfying visual, tactile, and auditory experience when pouring a drink. Once emptied, the bottle can be washed while preserving the intact screen printing. It can then be filled with the consumer's preferred liquor and ingredients to welcome a new infusion. The main label can be replaced with writable tape, allowing the consumer to add their own indications.
TG : The trademark Maquèra comes from a naming process that I also took care of. It is the Occitan translation of "maquis," the terroir that provides the herbs and fruits which give this drink its distinctive taste.
TG : After savoring the original beverage, the design encourages consumers to repurpose the bottle by infusing their own liquor. The packaging consists of two layers: screen-printed 'neutral' features and a slim horizontal label for specific details. The latter can easily be replaced with writable tape, enabling the recipe and the date of the new infusion to be noted. Thanks to sturdy materials, the bottle becomes infinitely reusable.
TG : The bottle places emphasis on natural materials that are locally sourced. The primary goal is to ensure durability through repeated use. The secondary objective is to minimize its carbon footprint from the beginning to the end of the production chain. The paper labels, along with the beech wood and cork cap, are manufactured in France, while the glass bottle originates from neighboring Switzerland. The suppliers played a predominant role in the success of this project.
TG : Research was conducted empirically, in the field, as close as possible to consumers. The primary goal was to understand their desires, habits and consumption patterns. Participating in their experiments and discussions, writable tape became essential to convey information on a reused bottle. A dozen prototypes were then submitted for approval to these enthusiasts, as well as to the primary stakeholder, the master infuser.
TG : Three constraints stood out among the others. First, the bottle had to distinguish itself from others. Second, it needed to showcase the color of the beverage as much as possible. Third, it had to be reusable for consumers. The solution was to separate generic information through screen printing on one side and specific information about a vintage on a label on the other, solving all the challenges.
TG : I discovered and became passionate about a field I knew nothing about: amateur liqueur infusers. I learned that the possibilities in terms of flavors and processes are virtually endless.
