Omdesign's Acorn-Inspired Eco-Packaging: A Sustainable Innovation

Portuguese Design Agency Omdesign Marries Sustainability and Creativity

Omdesign's innovative packaging design was created to celebrate the 89 awards the agency received in 2016 and its establishment in 1998. The packaging, shaped like an acorn, symbolizes the agency's commitment to the future and its concern for the environment. The design is a tribute to cork oak forests, often referred to as "the lungs of the Mediterranean," which play a crucial role in preserving biodiversity, preventing desertification, and absorbing millions of tonnes of CO2 annually.

The packaging's unique properties lie in its eco-friendly design and interactive element. Inside the packaging is a real acorn, covered with soil, encouraging consumers to participate in the preservation of cork oak forests by starting a planting cycle. The packaging is made of wood and cork, free from any oil derivatives, further emphasizing Omdesign's commitment to sustainability.

The packaging's top is made of wood, while its base is a detachable cork agglomerate monoblock. To encourage users to collect more acorns and renew the plantation cycle, a threaded screw system was developed. The packaging's dimensions are 133 mm x 133 mm x 320 mm, making it compact and easy to handle.

The design's interactive element is another unique feature. The acorn is found under the LBV Vintage Port 2012 label, which serves as a pocket containing instructions for planting a cork oak inside the packaging base. Once the tree begins to grow, consumers can replant it in a permanent location and mark the area with the wooden ring from the center of the package. The base can then be reused to collect more acorns and renew the cycle.

The project, which began in September 2016 in Matosinhos and was completed in December of the same year, posed several challenges. The team had to figure out how to keep the acorn in optimal conditions inside the packaging, select the most appropriate soil for growing the seed, and avoid using environmentally unfriendly materials such as oil derivatives. Despite these challenges, Omdesign was able to create a sustainable and innovative packaging design that not only serves a functional purpose but also encourages consumers to contribute to environmental preservation.

In conclusion, Omdesign's acorn-inspired packaging design is a testament to the agency's commitment to sustainability and innovation. By combining functionality, aesthetics, and environmental consciousness, the design sets a high standard for eco-friendly packaging. It serves as a reminder that design can be more than just visually appealing—it can also make a significant contribution to the preservation of our planet.