Ocean: A Contemporary Glass Globe Bottle Inspired by the Sea

A Unique Design by James Grannan

Ocean is a contemporary expression of a glass globe bottle, reminiscent of the ancient hand-blown glass fishing net floats. The neck of the bottle is angled to mimic the Earth's axis, symbolizing the vastness of the oceans that cover 71% of our planet's surface. The bottle's design features a disproportionate amount of thick glass sediment placed opposite and perpendicular to balance the vessel, while a small flat disk carved out of the bottom serves as its base, allowing the emphasis to remain on the sphere shape. The lightly tinted transparent blue color reinforces the purpose of the vessel - to hold liquid.

The design process for Ocean began with an initial 2D concept created in Adobe Photoshop, depicting a three-dimensional shape using special effect plug-ins. This served as a guideline for the structural packaging engineers to render the design in appropriate sizes, while modifying nuances such as the length and diameter of the neck, the radius on the rim, and the thickness of the glass deposit areas. Mold injection and release, as well as conveyor belt aspects, were critical components in negotiating the details of the final version.

The core package of Ocean holds 750ML-800ML of liquid volume and measures 152mm in width, 140.5mm in depth, and 170.6mm in height. It is comprised of 900-945 grams of glass. The neck has an inner diameter of 23mm and an outer diameter of 37mm. The axial tilt of the bottle is set at 35 degrees, further enhancing its unique appearance. The bottles are released from the mold onto concave fiber pucks to orient the neck upright and again for liquid insertion.

Ocean is not only a visually stunning design but also a functional one. The length, diameter, and radius of the rim on the neck of the bottle were carefully designed to be held by any size hand, making it easy to pour. The custom sphere shape of the bottle allows it to be seated in proprietary ringlet holders as well as flat shelving, adding to its versatility.

The Ocean project concept and initial design started in January 2013 in Atlanta, USA, with engineer modifications and prototype bottles finished in May 2014 in Sichuan, China. Throughout the design process, the biggest challenge came from production and realization technology limitations. Complete sphere-shaped glass bottles are not typically produced in mass production due to the lack of vessel stability. Reworking tooling and other components were necessary to accommodate the desired result. Additionally, the angled neck required weight balance measures, making it more difficult to achieve.

Ocean has received recognition for its exceptional design. It was awarded the Silver A' Design Award in the Packaging Design category in 2015. The Silver A' Design Award is given to designs that demonstrate outstanding expertise, innovation, and technical characteristics. Ocean's unique shape, color, and attention to detail have made it a standout design in the industry.

With its stunning design inspired by the sea, Ocean is a testament to the power of creativity and innovation in the world of packaging design. James Grannan's unique vision and attention to detail have resulted in a bottle that not only holds liquid but also captivates the eye and sparks the imagination.