



DESIGN DETAILS DESIGN NAME:

Japanese Sake “KOI”



PRIMARY FUNCTION:

Bottle and Box



INSPIRATION:

Our inspiration of this project is “Creating the impressive designed Sake that represents Japan”, and we chose the Japanese most famous ornamental fish “Koi” as our motif. (“Koi fish” is often called as “Nishikigoi”.) This Sake is manufactured by Imayotsukasa Sake Brewery Co. Ltd. located in Niigata prefecture where is known as Koi breeding from old time. "KOI" is ornamental carp that have beautiful colored markings on the spindle-shaped heroic body. They can be defined as inedible carp that have admirable figure, markings or colors. Also they are known as a "living jewel". In 1918, first "KOI" was born in Niigata Japan where the Imayotsukasa Sake Brewery has their brewery.



UNIQUE PROPERTIES / PROJECT DESCRIPTION:

As called a living jewel, Koi has very beautiful red patterns on white body, and attracting many funs worldwide. Our package expresses the beauty of Koi, the red patterns directly printed on white porcelain bottle which resembles in the shape of Koi. By cutting out the outer box in Koi silhouette, it visually emphasizes the image of Koi. Japanese brush stroke technique is used on those red patterns.



OPERATION / FLOW / INTERACTION:

This vivid designed package will not only stand out in the store, but also can be an art piece to decorate your room after you enjoyed the Sake. Since the design is directly printed on the bottle, not on the paper label, it stays even having washed so you can reuse the bottle remaining the beautiful design. Distributed widely in Japan and overseas, this special Sake makes an excellent gift.



PROJECT DURATION AND LOCATION:

This project was created in May 2015 in Japan.



FITS BEST INTO CATEGORY:

Packaging Design



PRODUCTION / REALIZATION TECHNOLOGY:

To be printed on white porcelain bottle. Box contains gold foil hot stamped.



SPECIFICATIONS / TECHNICAL PROPERTIES:

Bottle : 720ml Japanese sake bottle Box : width 90mm x depth 90mm x height 310mm



TAGS:

Bottle, Package, Japan, Sake, Beverage, Box, KOI, Unique, Elegant



RESEARCH ABSTRACT:

Designing the package, we’ve been more particular about the material in order to make it unique from other ordinary Sake. The smooth paper called “Kihoushi-FS” is used and the brand name “Nishikigoi” in Japanese printed using only gold foil to preserve the texture of the material. To emphasize the beauty of the white bottle, inside the box is all covered with the gold sprinkled red paper. Combination of white, red, gold colors makes a luxury impression and successfully making this stand out from other Sake.



CHALLENGE:

Printing something on the curved white porcelain bottle requires quite high technique and was a challenge. Only the limited company in Japan has its technique and it took a lot of try and error to finally bring it to successful result. To print the large curved bottle surface is time-consuming process; the transfer sheet with full design will be carefully cut in 3 pieces and attached on the bottle by hands, and then bakes in the kiln. All this challenge and work was essential to express a real Koi in entire bottle.



ADDED DATE:

2016-01-16 19:32:22



TEAM MEMBERS (5) :

Art Director/Designer : Aya Codama, Calligrapher : Kasetsu, Project Director : Masayuki Habuki, Project Manager : Yosuke Tanaka and



IMAGE CREDITS:

BULLET Inc., 2015

Imayotsukasa Sake Brewery Co. Ltd., 2015



Visit the following page to learn more: http://bullet-inc.jp/