Akimbo: A Water Bottle Design with a Twist

Kaichen Xie's Award-Winning Design Brings Humor to Hydration

The inspiration behind Akimbo is as unique as the design itself. Kaichen Xie observed a trend in coffee shops where visitors would buy a bottle of water, sit for hours, take selfies, but never order coffee. This observation sparked an idea - to create a water bottle design that subtly and humorously comments on this behavior. The result is Akimbo, a water bottle that carries a funny drawing and a message: "Buy a bottle of water and sit here all day, ah? Want some coffee?" The intention is not to blame, but to bring a smile to the face of the user when they discover the message.

The design of Akimbo is based on the logo character of Akimbo Cafe. The aim was to create tiny, funny, and lovely details that would be discovered by the guests, creating a shared moment of joy and surprise. The design is simple yet effective, adding a playful element to the coffee shop environment.

What sets Akimbo apart from other water bottle designs is its unique approach to engaging the user. Instead of focusing solely on form and function, Akimbo adds an element of surprise and humor, creating a memorable user experience. This approach to design is what makes Akimbo stand out in a sea of standard water bottle designs.

Furthermore, Akimbo is not just a clever design, but also an award-winning one. In 2018, it was awarded the Silver A' Packaging Design Award, a prestigious accolade given to top-of-the-line, creative, and professionally remarkable designs. The award recognizes designs that showcase outstanding expertise and innovation, strong technical characteristics, splendid artistic skill, and a remarkable level of excellence. It is a testament to the creativity and skill of Kaichen Xie.

In conclusion, Akimbo is a testament to the power of observation and creativity. It is a design that challenges the norm, brings humor to an everyday object, and creates a memorable user experience. It is a design that truly deserves its Silver A' Packaging Design Award.