Revolutionizing Ready-to-Eat Meals: Hotel New Grand's Innovative Packaging

Designer Kazuaki Kawahara's Award-Winning Packaging Design for Hotel New Grand's Ready-to-Eat Meals

Hotel New Grand, a classic hotel in Yokohama that opened in December 1927, wanted to convey its tradition and prestige in a unique and entertaining way. The result is a ready-to-eat meals package design that is as much a work of art as it is a practical solution. The design, based on the motif of a stockpot, is a testament to the hotel's commitment to quality and elegance.

The packaging design was realized using cardboard, with dimensions varying based on the type of meal contained within. The minimalist design avoids the use of illustrations or photos of food commonly seen on the packaging of ready-to-eat products, fitting for high-quality food that has been prepared in the kitchens of prestigious hotels.

The project started in January 2020 and finished in November 2020 in Japan. It was a challenge to create a design that conveyed the tradition and prestige of the hotel with wit, while also differentiating the product from the competition. However, the design has been popular with many people who want to enjoy the taste of a hotel at home or as a gift for someone special.

This innovative packaging design has not gone unnoticed in the design world. It was awarded the Golden A' Packaging Design Award in 2021, a prestigious accolade granted to marvelous, outstanding, and trendsetting creations that reflect the designer's prodigy and wisdom. These are venerated products and bright ideas that advance art, science, design, and technology, embodying extraordinary excellence and significantly impacting the world with their desirable characteristics.

With this design, Kazuaki Kawahara has truly revolutionized the concept of ready-to-eat meals, proving that even the most practical of items can be transformed into a work of art. This is a testament to the power of design and its ability to elevate everyday experiences.