Sense: A Packaging Design Inspired by Zen Buddhism

Bringing Enlightenment to Incense Packaging

The packaging design for Sense is heavily influenced by Zen Buddhism, which emphasizes the attainment of enlightenment through meditation. The designers aimed to capture the beauty and peacefulness experienced during meditation in their creation.

The packaging design carries on the concept of the Sense logo, which represents the wisdom of incense and Buddhism. On the packages, one can see the ancient map of China and Southern Asia, symbolizing the origin of the incense. The colors used - black, gray, and white - are religious colors associated with enlightenment and represent a state of quietness amidst a colorful world. These colors also indicate the grade level of aloeswood, with darker packaging representing higher-grade aloeswood.

To realize this unique packaging design, the Dongdao Design Team simplified the production technique. Instead of printing card papers in three colors, they created one hot-stamping board for each grade of the product. This allowed them to easily stamp the patterns onto black, white, and gray papers. The paper belt of each package is changeable according to its geographic location, adding a personalized touch. Additionally, the product manual is made from leftover materials, ensuring no compromise on quality while controlling packaging costs.

The Sense packaging system speaks the same language as the logo, creating a cohesive and complete design. The packages evoke a sense of pureness, meditation, Eastern wisdom, and Buddhism, resonating with the audience. The design team's research was centered around the philosophy of the logo, focusing on pureness, simplicity, and Eastern wisdom. The collaboration between the brand design team and the client resulted in a series of clean and simple packages that exude Zen wisdom.

The design of Sense was not without its challenges. The biggest hurdle was designing a package series that aligned with the tone of the logo. However, the Dongdao Design Team overcame this challenge and successfully created a packaging design that encapsulates the essence of incense and Buddhism.

Sense was awarded the Bronze A' Design Award in 2015 for its outstanding creativity and ingenuity. This prestigious award recognizes designs that incorporate best practices in art, science, design, and technology, contributing to improvements in quality of life. Sense stands as a testament to the Dongdao Design Team's technical and creative skills, making the world a better place through their innovative packaging design.