We had the distinct pleasure to interview award winning designer Rilind Hoxha about their original and creative Advent Box design work. Rilind Hoxha is an award-winning communication designer, that makes our world a better place with their original advent box works.
Rilind Hoxha ("RH") answered Design Interview ("DI") questions about their award-winning work House of Smaragd Advent Box. Interview questions prepared by Frank Scott.
RH : The core idea was to create something more than packaging — an emotional experience. Inspired by both the magic of the holiday season and the timeless elegance of fine jewelry, we wanted to craft a calendar that feels like a treasured gift in itself. The principle was “built to be kept, designed to be felt.”
RH : We focused on creating a luxurious, reusable object that holds emotional and functional value. Our goal was to combine the joy of unboxing with the prestige of premium jewelry — every compartment reveals a carefully curated piece.
RH : We’re planning a limited series production for the upcoming holiday season, expanding on the same concept with new color palettes and product combinations. It will become a signature holiday tradition under Smaragd 1969.
RH : Roughly 6 weeks from initial concept to final prototype. The longest part was balancing the structure, materials, and jewelry layout into one cohesive form.
RH : It was initiated from within — a self-commissioned project driven by inspiration. We wanted to challenge the usual presentation formats for jewelry and offer something collectors could emotionally connect with.
RH : We are producing and selling it ourselves under Smaragd 1969, our in-house jewelry brand. It’s a fully integrated concept from design to retail.
RH : We saw a gap between luxury jewelry and meaningful presentation. Jewelry often comes in disposable boxes — we wanted to change that narrative by turning the packaging into part of the story.
RH : We saw a gap between luxury jewelry and meaningful presentation. Jewelry often comes in disposable boxes — we wanted to change that narrative by turning the packaging into part of the story.
RH : It targets discerning buyers — collectors, gift-givers, and individuals looking for exclusive, timeless jewelry presented in a thoughtful and reusable way.
RH : Its emotional depth and permanence. Most advent-style products are temporary. Ours is designed to last — a collectible display box that can be reused year after year.
RH : “House of Smaragd” is a nod to our roots and elegance. “Advent Calendar” gives the seasonal context. Together, it symbolizes a house of treasures revealed one day at a time.
RH : We used Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop for the visuals, 3D modeling for structure testing, and a mix of hand sketches to conceptualize the user experience.
RH : The balance between function and emotional storytelling. It’s not just packaging — it’s a seasonal ritual, a collector’s piece, and a luxury display in one.
RH : Yes, our internal team handled creative direction, but we also collaborated with structural engineers and packaging specialists to ensure durability and precision.
RH : Technology allowed us to precisely test the structural elements digitally before production, minimizing waste and ensuring a premium user experience.
RH : We conducted customer surveys and benchmarked premium packaging in the jewelry and gifting industries. This helped us understand what evokes emotional value and longevity.
RH : Fitting high-value pieces in a compact structure while maintaining aesthetic appeal and security was a big challenge. We also had to find the right balance of materials — premium, but sustainable.
RH : We believed this design had a story and a soul worth sharing. The A' Design Award felt like the perfect platform to validate that vision internationally.
RH : It taught us that innovation can happen through emotional connection, not just function. We also learned how to balance storytelling, product, and packaging in one cohesive idea.
RH : Only that this calendar is just the beginning. We’re exploring other limited editions — not just for holidays, but for milestones, birthdays, and life events. The calendar is not just a design — it’s a new format for storytelling through jewelry.
