Golden A' Design Award Winner 2022
Deep teal ceramic surfaces embossed with intricate taotie-inspired motifs command immediate attention in Luo Heng's Xi Jiu Hanmi Liquor Packaging, where the bottle and accompanying presentation box occupy a carefully staged tableau suggesting ceremonial reverence and material refinement. The compositional architecture follows classical asymmetrical balance, positioning the bottle at left third while the larger rectangular box anchors the right portion, their relationship creating visual dialogue through shared chromatic identity and decorative vocabulary. The dominant palette centers on a sophisticated deep blue-green approaching celadon territory yet darker, reminiscent of aged patinated bronze or ancient jade pieces, punctuated by warm metallic gold accents that trace calligraphic characters and ornamental flourishes across both surfaces. The bottle form demonstrates elegant proportion, its squared shoulders transitioning through a subtly tapered body to a base exhibiting the same relief patterning, while the stopper assembly introduces contrasting materials through what appears to be polished black and gold metallic components arranged in a distinctive flared funnel configuration. Illumination arrives from an elevated left position, casting gentle warm light across the scene that accentuates the dimensional quality of the embossed decorative elements while allowing sufficient shadow depth to reveal textural complexity. The environmental staging situates these objects upon a gray stone platform supported by cylindrical elements, with atmospheric background suggesting traditional architectural elements through soft-focused wooden structures and decorative screens rendered in amber and sienna tones. Surface treatment throughout demonstrates exceptional craft, the ceramic bodies carrying densely interlocking geometric patterns derived from archaic bronze vessel traditions, their raised profiles catching light to create subtle gradients of luminosity across the deep teal ground. Typography integrates seamlessly into the decorative program, gold characters positioned within reserved rectangular cartouches that reference classical seal formats. The accompanying small bronze-green sculptural figure at right edge introduces additional cultural resonance, its archaic animal form echoing the decorative vocabulary established throughout the packaging system.
Xi Jiu Hanmi is a packaging design for a Chinese liquor. The bottle uses an octagonal structure instead of the common round bottle. The cap shape is drawn from a Han dynasty palace tower, and the body refers to a Shuang Mao jade ornament. The bottle shoulder carries illustrations of four sacred animals: the azure dragon, the white tiger, the vermilion bird and the black tortoise. The bottle is made of high grade matte sprayed glass. The box is embossed and hot stamped in black, gold and dark red. The design reflects Han dynasty court culture.