Rebirth: Innovative Cosmetics Packaging Inspired by Egyptian Mythology

A Refreshing Break from Conventional Aesthetics

The team, consisting of Chen Shen-Fu and Chuang Pei-Yun, believes that care products should not only focus on their content but also convey the aesthetic convictions of the designers. With their project, Rebirth, they aim to create a stunning first impression and initiate discussions, evoking a range of tactile perceptions and imaginations for the users.

What sets Rebirth apart is its departure from conventional thinking. The designers drew inspiration from Anubis, a figure from Egyptian mythology associated with judgment and rebirth. The bottle cap takes the form of Anubis, with a human body and a canine head, while the body of the bottle is transparent and all-black, challenging the mild and refreshing aesthetics commonly seen in cosmetics packaging.

The realization of the design involved the use of glass for the bottle, which provides a sense of transparency and creates unique light and shadow effects. The cap, made of plastic, was carefully designed to capture the muscle tone and texture of the Anubis figure. The body of the bottle and illustrative texts were processed using a special-printing technique with decal paper, showcasing the craftsmanship behind the product. The entire project was designed in New Taipei City.

Rebirth has a bottle capacity of 30ml, with a bottle cap measuring 104mm and a maximum width of 69mm. The bottle stands at a height of 119mm and has a diameter of 28mm, making it compact and travel-friendly.

Users of Rebirth are treated to a multi-sensory experience. The unique bottle form, along with the color, light, and shadow effects, as well as the muscle tone and texture of the Anubis-figure bottle cap, all contribute to a visually and tactilely engaging experience.

The project, which started in January 2018, saw its first batch of products completed in December of the same year. The design team conducted extensive research on Anubis and its symbolism, seeking to embody the values of real skincare and the collaboration with Midnight Sun. The black color of Anubis, reminiscent of the patron saint Hecate, inspired the product series name, Rebirth, which represents the uniqueness and originality of the design.

Creating Rebirth came with its fair share of challenges. The designers aimed to achieve a certain degree of transparency and clarity in the overall pure black bottle, akin to the desired glow of the skin. This, along with the silver motif and the use of transfer printing and decal paper techniques, posed technical difficulties and required meticulous work.

Rebirth, with its avant-garde design philosophy, breaks away from the stereotypical elegant image often associated with female consumers. It represents a bold step towards a more daring and unique aesthetic in the cosmetics industry.

Image Credits: Yang Chia-Ying

Awards and Accolades: Rebirth was awarded the Bronze A' Design Award in Packaging Design in 2019. This prestigious award recognizes designs that demonstrate creativity, resourcefulness, and a commitment to improving quality of life through art, science, design, and technology.