Wan Xiang Sheng: A Zen-Inspired Tea Packaging Design

Huang Feng's Award-Winning Design Marries Zen Culture and Aesthetics

The design of Wan Xiang Sheng is rooted in "Chancha Yiwei," a unique aspect of Chinese Zen tea culture. This concept reflects the changing taste of Wuyishan rock tea, a renowned variety in China, which offers a different flavor profile with each sip. To fully appreciate this tea, one must slow down, be present, and engage in mindful tasting. Huang Feng's design captures this essence, encouraging users to approach the tea-drinking experience with a sense of calm and openness.

What sets Wan Xiang Sheng apart is its unique packaging. The outer box is designed to mimic the landscape of Wuyishan, the birthplace of the tea. When positioned upright, the box depicts a person in meditation, embodying the Zen philosophy of viewing things from different perspectives. The name "Wan Xiang Sheng" is stylized to resemble the ripples on the surface of a cup of tea, further enhancing the Zen-inspired aesthetic.

The packaging is made of special paper with a light gray rock texture, reminiscent of Wuyishan's rocky terrain. The embossing and debossing techniques used in the production process lend depth and texture to the design, making it a tactile as well as a visual delight. The box opens like a book, revealing two smaller packages inside, each containing two packets of tea.

Creating Wan Xiang Sheng was not without its challenges. Huang Feng had to find the right paper to match the desired aesthetic and figure out how to express the concept of Zen from multiple angles through graphic design. Despite these hurdles, the end result is a packaging design that not only houses the tea but also enhances the overall tea-drinking experience.

In conclusion, Wan Xiang Sheng is a testament to the power of thoughtful, culturally-informed design. It goes beyond its functional role as tea packaging to offer a multi-sensory experience that engages users on a deeper level. This design serves as a reminder of the potential of everyday objects to evoke emotions, tell stories, and enrich our lives.