oshenikawdesign702 - Tumblr blog

[oshenikawdesign702]

Sinahava Arrack

Sinahava Arrack is a premium Sri Lankan cocktail drink containing Arrack (අරක්කු), an ancient spirit that has been a local favourite for centuries. Distilled from the sap of the coconut flower, arrack is best described as a fragrant dark coconut rum and makes a delicious addition to contemporary yet classic cocktails. The series comes in three exclusive Arrack cocktail mixes: Ceylon Coconut Colada (Coconut Water, Pineapple), Tusker (Lemon, Peach Bitters) and Aliya (Ginger Ale, Lime). The word Sinahava (Sin-a-hava) is the Sri Lankan word for "smile". The picture when you are out drinking with friends, at an event or at a casual hangout everyone's smiling when they drink hence the name Sinahava Arrack.

This elegant packaging design is based on Sri Lanka's culture and communicates a strong South Asian aesthetic. The box sleeve takes the form of Sri Lankan patterns surrounding the entire sleeve dripping in gold foil. The sleeve slides out to present the beautiful glass bottle filled with premium Arrack cocktails. The graphics of each label rely on Sri Lanka's mesmerising culture, depicting a painting from The Sigiriya Cave, The Blue Water Lily (National flower) and a Toddy Tapper. Each label has its own unique feature with text describing the drink, cocktail and the meaning behind the visual illustrations. The entire bottle is filled with colour and foiled in gold, portraying the culture's spirit on the bottle. The stunning, premium look Sinahava Arrack exhibits, puts consumers in a trance, drawing them to want the product and discover a new flavour and taste the Sri Lankan spirit.

Design is a powerful tool to utilise in bringing culture to design. This project is intended to bring Sri Lankan culture into branding design. Only a few people are familiar with Sri Lanka or the varied aspects of the culture and this project strived to bring awareness of Sri Lanka's beautiful culture. By infusing our culture into design, we are able to push ourselves away from the “whitewashed” design industry.

[oshenikawdesign702]

The Final Project

Here are a few main photos taken of my final project 2022 (the rest are shown on the pdf file for handin):

[oshenikawdesign702]

B.T.S of the Photoshoot

It was my first time taking photos with a fancy camera. It was exciting taking these pictures and the results were amazing. Some were a bit blurry which I didn't realize after I received the images, but it was good enough and still looked so great and professional.

[oshenikawdesign702]

Sinahava Arrack - Overall

As a mixed person, this project was intended to bring my Sri Lankan culture into branding and reflect their culture onto the brands' labels. This project has come a very long way with much trial and error. Continuously developing my ideas, labels and illustrations I kept needing to rethink and make design decisions that will showcase Sri Lankan culture and their local favourite spirit - Arrack.

There are no doubt times when I thought this project may not end as how I had planned at the start of the semester. With constant changes and many drawbacks, I can't believe I was able to create this as my final project ever. Adding to that, handmaking my packaging was an experience I will never forget and so happy I did it myself. I felt so in the zone while doing the packaging that it helped bring my stress levels down.

Doing something about my culture really helped me understand it even more. I never knew what Arrack was until I researched about it and thought this would be a fun project to create and base off there. Learning how it's made and the process behind it was so mesmerising and made me feel in touch with my culture more. Then adding cultural aspects and learning about them too was really interesting to read about too.

Overall, I am very proud of this project and very thankful for the amount of feedback given to help me make this project so successful. Words can't describe how joyous I am with the final product and how it turned out. Creating a brand is hard that too a drink brand, so being able to push myself to keep going to finish this off and deliver an exquisite Sri Lankan drink brand is still so crazy to me. I am just so proud of myself and this project.

[oshenikawdesign702]

Compliments and Comments

While I was busy doing some things in the bindery, I had my labelled bottles on the table. There were a few people including class peers and technicians looking at the bottles and complimenting them.

One class peer asked what's it for. I was taken aback and told them it was for my project. They were surprised and thought it was an actual drink and didn't realize it was for my project.

My classmates also told me how legit it looks individually and as packaged. They mentioned how it looks like a real brand and even said it looks premium and expensive.

The bindery technicians also mentioned how cool the bottle looked and how the bottle design and flavours draw them in and want to drink it.

One of the bindery technicians Lindsey took the bottle to the screen printing room to talk to Luca about foiling. When got back she told me how he thought she brought him a new drink to have. Which was really funny.

These comments were so reassuring to me as I wasn't able to conduct a user experience for my project. But hearing these comments and people coming up to the bottle holding it and admiring it made me so happy that my goal has been achieved. The fact some didn't know this was my project and thought it was some drinks I bought was so shocking to me and also made me realize I did a really good job. The technicians gravitating towards the drinks and also thinking it's a legit brand made me, even more, happier as they are around the target audience I was aiming towards. That fact the drinks look premium to everyone just made my day even better and I felt so proud that my brand achieved what it needed to achieve.

My classmates also mentioned that brands that are premium always go for very simple designs, so using such detailed designs for a premium cocktail brand is so different and unique that it outshines other brands if you'd place them next to each other on shelves.

Hearing these comments and compliments really had me raising my shoulders proud of what I was able to accomplish. I knew it looked gorgeous but I didn't expect so many compliments that it just made have a deep sigh of relief that this is what people think and that's what I wanted to hear.

[oshenikawdesign702]

Packaging Binding D5 Part 3

After getting the pattern foiled successfully, I now have to foil my brand name and drink name.

This process was a bit of a struggle trying to get it to foil accurately on the correct space. With help, we had to measure multiple times and do testers to get the foiling correct. In the end, we managed to get the names foiled centred and accurately placed with enough gaps at the top and bottom.

Next was creasing the edges that'll surround the box and the window. Since I wanted a thicker window, I rushed to Gordon Harris and bought a thick plastic for the window.

Then I started with the creasing, I was worried about creasing wrongly and asked the other bindery technician Sarah for help. She advised since I'll be using double-sided tape, there needed to be 4mm around the edge so there is space on the sides for a border and for the tape to fit in.

I then measured each print and then started cutting the window out. I then began creating the prints which were also difficult. Trying to keep it straight and also making sure it is creased correctly so it fits around the box nicely. There were a few mistakes in creasing but that was fixed quickly.

The clear plastic was then cut to size for it to fit in nicely within the window. Adding double-sided tape to the edges of the plastic, I had to carefully place the plastic onto the window. I accidentally shifted the window to low on one of the boxes which were annoying. the other two boxes were in a similar situation too. Which was really annoying but it is what it is. I did try carefully cutting out the tape that was showing on the window and removing it but can't do much.

The tab was also too small to fold. When it was being cut, the tab part was cut off too which resulted in having a small tab to connect the boxes. Lindsey came up with a solution to use normal tape on the inside and connect the other end together. The tape is hidden when the sleeve is put together.

But the overall box looked amazing. Yes, there is some mistake, but the fact I hand-made three whole boxes was so surreal to me. The outcome was worth coming in every day and staying till the bindery closed to create a beautiful box and sleeve. Plus the beautiful gold foiling surrounding the sleeve will make you forget about the small errors on the sleeve :D

[oshenikawdesign702]

Packaging Binding D5 Part 2

After placing the labels, I started on my sleeve foiling. Using the same golf foil I was going to foil the whole A3 using the pattern on the left. And the image on the right is where my text would be placed and in the middle will be where the window will be cut out.

But the plans changed. We were supposed to foil the A3 paper but we didn't realise the page was so big and even if did foil it using the machine, it would use too much foil and be a waste of time too. I was worried for a bit but Lindsey suggested a new idea -screen printing. It is much faster and is much better than the foiler machine.

I didn't know the screen printing room does foiling too but I was super keen to try it out and see how it'll go. Lindsey spoke with Luca the technician at the screen printing room about what I needed and I was ready to get on with it. I printed my pattern on A3 paper and oiled it as per instructions. Luca dried it out with newspaper and then went to set the screens for the pattern to be transferred onto it. After that, I used the blow dryer and dried the screen so it is see-through and the pattern is clearly seen. Luca then explained the next steps while doing the process for glueing the pattern onto the sleeve A3 papers with the screen. There was a double effect to the pattern when it was being transferred but I quite liked the effect and didn't bother me too much. It was such a cool process to observe, that I want to come in the holidays and do one myself.

I then moved the three sheets of paper over to another room where the foiling begins. Placing the paper onto the large bed thing, Luca then carefully placed the gold foil onto the paper and put the large map over it. He then showed me how to spin the wheel and advised me to do it consistently so there is an even amount of foil being distributed onto the area.

Then the fun part, slowly removing the foil revealing the final pattern. I was so stunned at how gorgeous the foiling looked. It had a little lifted look to it too and also had a slightly rough but clean look which looked so pretty. The gold reminded me of South Asian jewellery and just adds so much more quality to the sleeve and final product.

The next two prints I did them myself. I rolled the wheel, took the mat out and slowly removed the gold foil which was so satisfying. The final prints looked so stunning I couldn't believe I nearly foiled it with the bindery machine. This way was so much more convenient and had a gorgeous effect on the print.

The space here is for the brand name and drink name to be foiled separately. That is also the space where I will need to cut out my window.

This made me want to do more foil printing as it was so fun to do and also watch the process of doing one.

The print used was a 300gsm silk paper

[oshenikawdesign702]

Packaging Binding D5 Part 1

Today is the final stretch for me to get everything done. I got to uni carrying my bottles with me and straight away grabbed my labels from the bindery and started placing them onto the bottle.

It was such a hassle trying to place the labels straight, especially because it's a wrap-around label, it needed to be closely straight and aligned when meeting the end.

Each time I placed the label onto the bottle it wouldn't be straight. I risked ripping the label each time I placed the label and kept removing it because it was not aligning. I had to make sure I held the sticker tightly when wrapping it around the bottle but that too would mess up. Air bubbles were bound to happen when I was wrapping the label but I tried my best to smooth it out enough so it isn't too noticeable. But then again, there are machines that put labels like these onto the bottle rather than a person doing it manually. So in conclusion I did my very best in putting on these labels myself which were frustrating but fun too.

After putting all three labels on, I was so stunned at how good it looked with the drink. I couldn't believe that this was what I have created and all that hard work paid off. Looking at the foiling too was so pretty to look at and the cap label sealed the deal honestly. If I didn't have that label it just wouldn't look right.

[oshenikawdesign702]

Making the Drink

The dedication to this project is unreal. Initially, I thought to use food colouring and water to depict the cocktail drinks as close as possible. But instead, I decide to use fruit juice and water to fill the bottles up.

Second image from left to right: Aliya (Lime, Ginger Ale), Ceylon Coconut Colada (Coconut Water, Pineapple) and Tusker (Lemon, Peach Bitters).

For the Aliya drink, I mixed apple juice and water to depict the drink accurately. For Ceylon Coconut Colada, I mixed tropical juice and water too. Tusker I wanted it to be more peachy rather than yellow. I want the peach flavour to come through more rather than the lemon colour for the drink. Therefore I mixed tropical juice, water and a little bottle of cranberry juice to add that colour too.

It was a fun little experiment going this far to have the brand be more believable and seem authentic.

[oshenikawdesign702]

Packaging Binding D4

I received my labels yay!!! I was so relieved that it came on time from the company PrintitPinc. I will today foil all of them so it is done and dusted.

With the labels I had ordered, I had asked for a double copy of each label but it seems they mistranslated what I wanted and instead gave me a double copy of each label as in 4 of the main labels and 8 of the strap labels. I was so close to emailing them about this but thought let me try to foil them first and see just in case it gets stuffed up on accident then I'll have no extras.

Thank goodness I didn't email them. When we started foiling the yellow label, all three of that copies had mistakes when it was foiled so we only had one left to get it perfect. It was at that moment I was so happy I had those extra extras because I would have been stuffed if I had no more copies. So basically it was a miracle that I was given that many honestly.

Anyways when we started the foiling process using gold foil and did a practice foiling the whole thing with the designs/text (second image). Lindsey helped me a lot here and suggested we do the foiling in sections so it is easier for the machine and we don't get any shifts from the design. I placed the designs into 7 layers in photoshop, and one by one we foiled each label.

The labels were to be positioned sideways so the foil could get across the full label without it breaking up. The brand name, however, needed to be placed normally on the foiler so the machine would foil from the long way. This was so the name isn't foiled in two sections and rather as one go.

We had to get the positioning correct for the brand name and firstly foiled on a clear sheet of plastic so we know where the it is being foiled. From there measured on Ps where the title should be placed and foiled from there.

Moving onto the over-the-cap labels, since the shape is hard to figure out where to line it up on the foiler machine. So we had to carefully cut out the top part of the label strip so we can line it up (fourth image). Then came the tricky part - the foiling. This was particularly hard as the text needed to be centred, especially the text inside the circle. Again, we foiled onto the plastic sheets first then positioned the actual label underneath then did the real thing. A few times it came out too much on one side and became a pain. But we managed to get them successfully centred and perfect which was a relief.

It took nearly all day to get these done and I felt bad for the people waiting for their projects to be foiled. I did go on break and let them foil and didn't mind waiting as they also had their work to finish. But other than that I will now need to put these labels onto the bottles carefully and not ruin it.

There wasn't enough time to do the sleeve foiling so I will have to get it done tomorrow.

[oshenikawdesign702]

Week 13 Plan

I completely forgot about the public holiday which had me miss a crucial day to finish the packaging early. But it's ok I did create a plan for this week and made sure I stuck with it as best as I could.

My plan for this week:

Tues:

Wrap the remaining two boxes in fabric

Wed:

Foil bottle labels

Pick up prints from Pinklime

Foil sleeve?

Thursday:

Make a sleeve with a window

Place labels on all three bottles and place them into the box with sleeves + take photos

[oshenikawdesign702]

Packaging Binding D3

Since it was a public holiday on Monday I missed that extra day to get things done a day earlier. But with the plan I made for myself to keep on track, today I will be in for only half the day in the bindery room and will only be wrapping the last two boxes.

I also received confirmation that my labels will be delivered on Wednesday morning which is great! That means I can foil them all and have them ready to place onto the bottles.

[oshenikawdesign702]

Packaging Binding D2

On Friday my goal was to get my other two boxes put together and wrap them with fabric. But it took all day to get two of these boxes done so I will need to wrap it in fabric on Tuesday instead.

I also went to Pinklime to get my coloured A3 sheets printed for the box sleeves which I will get done hopefully on Wednesday.

[oshenikawdesign702]

Packaging Binding D1

On Thursday I started my actual packaging and began constructing my boxes. Though it took me all day to do one, I was very happy with my first box and want to get my other two done on Friday.

With the fabric, I chose a nude beige colour for all three boxes so there is a connection between the two. It is also very neutral and a perfect complement to the coloured box sleeves I will be making later.

I made this decision as if I had chosen different coloured fabric cloth for each box it would firstly be too much colour and secondly a hassle to find the correct fabric shade that'll match the label colour.

Other than that the cloth is very pretty and will go super well with the bottle and the sleeve cover.

[oshenikawdesign702]

Packaging Prototype

I went into the bindery on Wednesday to start on my packaging. I firstly started a practice one with some help so I get the idea of how to do it myself. It was actually very easy to understand to create this box. I also took photos of Fleur doing it step by step so I don't make mistakes on my actual one.

I also created a sleeve for the box but thought about the sleeve again. I initially thought of a full sleeve with no window but thought again and realised that would be too much. I created a window so that when the bottle is placed inside the box, people would be able to see the bottle and the design too. That is more than enough as it showcases the bottle and through the window sleeve. If I had gone through with a closed-off sleeve it would look tacky to me personally and wouldn't let the bottle shine.

I also trialled the foiling to see how it'd look. I only did it halfway but it looked really pretty and I am excited to start going forward with the rest of the boxes. I will be coming to uni every day to get this done on time.

[oshenikawdesign702]

Final Label Designs

Here are the final label designs. I made my changes:

Changed the orange-yellow label colour to more of a yellow tone.

Made the gradient circle larger and the illustrations slightly larger.

Changed my text type for the back to a sans serif so it is easier to read.

Made the circles smaller and added more so you can it when wrapped around.

In the first image, I have the final design of what it should look like, the label that needs to print and the areas that need to be foiled.

I am super proud of how far I've come with my design. There were so many trials and errors and figuring out what I really want. The feedbacks were helpful in finding my way to create a design like this one. Whats next is to get them printed and foiled and have them wrapped around my bottle for the final submission!!!

[oshenikawdesign702]

Back Labels Text

I've been so focused on talking about the front labels on here that I forgot to mention the back labels.

What I wanted to do is have the front part of the label down and then get the back labels done as it only needed text about the drink, the cocktail and a small "did you know..." of the illustrations made on the label.

With the front done and finalised, I moved on to finding text for the back label. The heading "Taste of Sri Lanka" is placed with a short birief about Arrack. I used text from different sites and put together this text for customers to read and know about Arrack.

I then have the headings of each cocktail mix. Under the heading is a short text used from different sites about the cocktail mixes and describing the flavour and the feeling when drinking. I also tweaked some of the text and combined different texts together.

After that I added a tagline "A centuries-old spirit shaking up the cocktail scene". I quite liked this line while I was doing my research on Arrack and decided it would fit so well on the label.

The last text I added a very short text about the meaning behind the illustrations of the label.

Text that were used are from the following sites:

Ceylon Coconut Colada:

Tusker:

Aliya:

The text is short but more than enough to be informative to the users of the drink to read and become knowledgable about the meaning behind the drink and the illustrations on the bottle. It is a perfect reader when pouring a glass of the cocktail and then looking at the bottle and reading the text. This could also lead to users being more interested in Sri Lankan culture and the beauty behind these images and drinks.