Christmas Wishes: A Warm and Cozy Christmas Compilation

Akiko Kanna Creates a Coffee Bean Knitting Pattern for Starbucks

Christmas is a time for warmth, joy, and togetherness. It is a season filled with traditions and cherished memories. To capture the essence of this special time, Akiko Kanna, a renowned designer, has created a Christmas compilation album that perfectly embodies the spirit of the season.

The inspiration behind this design came from the desire to connect with customers in a simple and straightforward way. Since the album was to be sold at Starbucks coffee shops in Japan, Kanna wanted to incorporate elements that would resonate with coffee lovers. By combining Christmas motifs with coffee beans, she was able to create a design that instantly evokes a sense of coziness and familiarity.

The artwork on the album cover features a grid of coffee beans arranged in a knitting pattern. This unique approach not only adds a touch of warmth and texture to the design but also reflects the feelings and atmosphere associated with Christmas. Just like a warm cup of coffee, this album brings comfort and a sense of joy to those who listen to its collection of classic Christmas songs.

The realization of this design involved a meticulous printing technique. The album cover was printed using three special colors and gold foil on paper, creating a stunning visual effect. The coffee bean pattern was also printed on the CD itself, ensuring a seamless and continuous motif even when the CD is removed from its tray.

With dimensions of 140mm in width, 6mm in depth, and 125mm in height, this Christmas compilation album is a compact and visually striking addition to any music collection.

Akiko Kanna's design challenges included creating color tones that matched the gold foil and champagne-gold background. Additionally, ensuring that the foil matched the position of the coffee beans throughout the grid required careful attention to detail.

Overall, this Christmas compilation album, sold exclusively at Starbucks coffee shops in Japan, is a testament to the power of design in capturing the essence of a season. Through the use of a coffee bean knitting pattern, Akiko Kanna has created a warm and inviting artwork that perfectly complements the collection of classic Christmas songs contained within.

Image Credits: StudioKanna

Awards and Accolades: This design was awarded the Iron A' Design Award in 2018. The Iron A' Design Award recognizes well-designed, practical, and innovative creations that meet professional and industrial requirements. This prestigious award honors designs that integrate industry best practices and exhibit competent technical characteristics, contributing to a better world.