We had the distinct pleasure to interview award winning designer Backbone Branding about their original and creative Bottle Packaging design work. Backbone Branding is an award-winning communication designer, that makes our world a better place with their original bottle packaging works.
Backbone Branding ("BB") answered Design Interview ("DI") questions about their award-winning work Yan Bottle Packaging. Interview questions prepared by Frank Scott.
BB : If we want to sum it up in one sentence, we’d say less design and more Nature. We are strongly inspired by Nature. We are always fascinated by how every little detail in Nature has a purpose, harmony and functionality, each little element is there for a reason, has its place and serves a purpose. Our principle in design is to study Nature, learn from it and we want our works to be complementary to Nature instead of going against it.
BB : This design is based on biomimicry. We have studied the shape of an apple, especifically a bitten one, how they can become complementary to one another when put side by side. We have then transported this Natural shape into the glass bottle, structuring them in order to stay true to the form of the fruit.
BB : This award winning design has a very strong popularity on the market and it is sold all around the world. People are always captivated by the shape of the bottle which always grabs attention and stands out of the lot.
BB : It took our team several months, from the initial birth of the concept to the numerous developments and different project aspects, from structural, to design label, to illustration and calligraphy.
BB : We were approached by the owner of this brand, who was then willing to try a new structure for this already existing juice line. There was a need for a bottle that reflects in its own design the natural and organic quality of the juice that it contains. A structures that screams ‘’NATURAL’’ and is in harmony with Nature
BB : The design is exclusively used by SIS Natural.
BB : We have found this project interesting because it required a deep study of the forms in Nature, it links design with functionality and every single detail and element from the structure of the bottle to the label and calligraphy is there for a reason and serves a purpose.
BB : Anyone who appreciates Natural and organic products.
BB : These past years the organic theme has become massively popular and consumers are paying more and more attention to what they are buying, always opting for more Natural, healthy choices. Consequently, the packaging industry has also been keeping and we are noticing that designs inspired by Nature are rising in popularity, however most of them are just opting for a superficial change, in other words making changes to the form without actually understanding the purpose behind it. What’s different here is that the form in Yan Natural Juice is not just there for the aesthetics, it actually has a functionality and also practicality.
BB : The name was chosen by our Clients.
BB : The illustrations in this project are all meticulously made by hand by your talented illustrating team.
BB : The uniqueness is that the design here serves a functionality. Of course other than the obvious one, which is to act as a container for the juice, these bottles have a structure which allows them to be stored in the most compact way due to the fact that their design allows them to interlock. Therefore making the storage and transportation process very practical
BB : Our team at Backbone, where different members handle different sides of the work, from structure study and shaping, to the details on the label, the design and of course the illustration and the stylized calligraphy.
BB : This project involved biomimicry. So our research was based on a deep quest to understand the shape in the elements of Nature, in this case the apple, we have studied its structure, its form as a whole, and the transformation within this form when the fruit is bitten, the shape it metamorphoses to, and the way several apples are complementary in form when put side by side
BB : Studying and deeply understanding the structure in elements of Nature, and then reflecting this understanding of the structure into your design concept is not easy to do. As a matter of fact, we did not want this project to mimic the copy the form of the apple on a superficial level, our concept was based on understanding the details and the transformation of the form of the apple, from whole to bitten, how it changes and then creating a structural design that was based on this idea.
BB : We really believe in this work and in its high quality whether it is from a design, structural, conceptual or illustrational point of view. We wanted to find a competition that was respected and with a worldwide renown. Our main goal was to make sure that our design and concept would be evaluated in the most professional and serious way possible . A’Design Awards and competition is an international and very well reputed competition. From previous winners, we had the proof that the judging was very serious, fair and in the hands of a professional and trustworthy jury, in whose evaluation we could trust.
BB : With each project you learn something new, and it brings to you further experience that would deepen your knowledge of the field. This project was no stranger to this. With YAN Natural juice we have furthered our understanding of biomimicry, we have learnt more about the fascinating design in Nature. The fact that every little single detail is there for a reason, nothing is left to chance or no element is there as an addition or mere decoration without having a real and actual purpose or functionality. This project has made us even believe more in the power and harmony of Nature and in the fact that as designers our duty is to respect Nature in our design rather than completely destroy it and transform it. Less design, more Nature. Because Nature has it all covered already, and what you will find in Nature is better than the work of any man. Our duty as designers, is to truly understand the beauty and simplicity and the design intelligence in Nature and reflect it through our own designs.
