Sizuyapan: Redefining Bread Packaging with Japanese-ism

An-Pan packaging that combines Japanese tradition and European design

Katsuya Arai, the art director and designer behind Sizuyapan, drew inspiration from the geometric modeling and beautiful curves of Japanese family crests. By linking these traditional elements with the alphabet and its crests, Arai developed a new representation method that captures the essence of Japanese culture.

The package design of Sizuyapan is a testament to the bakery's commitment to preserving traditional culture and introducing it to the world. In recent years, there has been a decline in the appreciation of Japanese traditional culture, both within the country and abroad. Sizuyapan aims to reverse this trend by using strong identity and European languages to showcase the beauty of Japanese-ism.

The packaging is made using eco-friendly materials such as craft paper, emphasizing the brand's commitment to sustainability. The 6-piece assorted package measures 65mm in height, 85mm in width, and 308mm in depth, while each individual package measures 100mm in height, 80mm in width, and 40mm in depth.

One of the unique features of the Sizuyapan packaging is the label, which effectively communicates the essence of the bread. The label design was a creative and technical challenge, as it had to convey Japanese-ism while being visually appealing and easily understandable.

The Sizuyapan project was initiated in 2012 at Sizuya and the final product was launched in October of the same year. The design process involved extensive research into the origin of Japanese tradition and the preferences of young people, with the aim of combining these elements to create a design that resonates with a wide audience.

Sizuyapan's innovative packaging design has garnered recognition in the industry. In 2015, it was awarded the Silver A' Design Award in the Packaging Design category. This prestigious award is given to designs that demonstrate outstanding expertise, innovation, and artistic skill, evoking positive emotions and wonder.