Bronze Packaging Design · 2026
Zade Oils Bottle
- A' Design Award 2026 Bronze Winner in Packaging Design
- Awarded April 15, 2026
- CLIENT: Graphn Creative
- Estimated Number of Design Views: 5,924
- Verification code 4F4DD376B9 · Verify this award
About Zade Oils Bottle
Zade is a bottle designed for edible oils. The drop-shaped body regulates the flow of the oil during pouring, which reduces splashing and dripping around the neck. A slim waist, smooth shoulder transitions and balanced proportions create a sculptural silhouette that interacts with light. The lightweight bottle is blow-molded from PET preforms in aluminum molds and carries a silver metallized polypropylene label with matte and selective gloss varnish. The transparent body allows the clarity of the oil to be seen. Three sizes are offered: 0.5, 1 and 2 liters.
The Zade Oils Bottle by EKREM HALDUN ÖZİNCE demonstrates contemporary packaging design's capacity to transform quotidian culinary containers into objects of sculptural presence and material refinement, situating itself within broader movements toward premium repositioning of agricultural commodities and the elevation of everyday domestic objects through thoughtful formal innovation. The work participates in recent decades' sustained design conversation around authenticity, craft, and the material semiotics of quality in food packaging, where transparent or translucent containers serve not merely as protective vessels but as honest communicators of product purity and as tactile-visual experiences that extend brand narrative beyond graphic surface into three-dimensional form language. The faceted geometric treatment applied to the glass body represents a sophisticated departure from conventional cylindrical bottle typology, introducing angular planar surfaces that activate light behavior across the container, creating constantly shifting highlight and shadow patterns that reward handling and varied viewing angles while maintaining structural integrity and manufacturing feasibility within industrial glass production parameters. This geometric articulation evokes crystalline forms and modernist sculptural reduction, suggesting precious minerals or cut gemstones, thereby elevating olive oil from mere cooking ingredient to treasured substance worthy of beautiful containment. The chromatic strategy proves equally considered, employing a rich palette of olive greens from deep forest tones to luminous chartreuse that performs multiple simultaneous functions: immediate product category communication through naturalistic color association with olives themselves, light protection for the photosensitive oil within through tinted glass that filters damaging wavelengths, and aesthetic distinction on crowded retail shelves through saturated hue that commands visual attention. The embossed brand name integrated directly into the glass surface rather than relying solely on applied labels demonstrates commitment to permanence and material honesty, suggesting artisanal production values and small-batch care even within potentially industrial manufacturing scales. The label composition itself balances contemporary minimalism with traditional agricultural imagery, the circular black medallion containing white serif typography and golden sunburst icon establishing premium positioning while the photographic olive branch provides immediate botanical origin story and harvest freshness suggestion. Typography choices across the package demonstrate strategic hierarchy, with the embossed "zade" offering tactile brand presence, the medallion providing bold shelf recognition, and the descriptive text delivering essential consumer information in clean sans-serif legibility. The ribbed cap, while serving obvious functional purposes of grip enhancement and tamper-evidence, maintains chromatic unity with the bottle body through matching olive-green coloration, creating visual continuity from closure to base. Material selection throughout speaks to sustainability consciousness and reusability, the substantial glass construction suggesting a container designed for extended lifecycle beyond initial product consumption, inviting repurposing as kitchen storage, decorative object, or refillable vessel, thereby extending brand presence and user relationship beyond single-use disposability. The presentation strategy employed in this product photograph demonstrates professional visualization standards, frontal orientation and neutral ground eliminating contextual noise to present the bottle as pure form, as design object available for aesthetic contemplation separate from utilitarian function, a convention borrowed from fine art photography and museum documentation that elevates commercial product to cultural artifact worthy of sustained attention. How might the angular facets of this container feel beneath your fingers, and what stories of harvest, pressing, craft, and care might this designed object communicate beyond its immediate functional purpose as mere liquid conveyance?
Press Kit
- Unique Properties
- In this design, the bottle form takes center stage. Its slim waistline, smooth shoulder transitions, and balanced proportions create a silhouette that is both strong and elegant. The ergonomic structure integrates aesthetics with functionality. Soft curves are balanced with defined lines to express a modern character. While the label supports the concept, the true identity lies in the distinctive bottle geometry that interacts with light and stands out confidently on the shelf.
- Dimensions & Packaging
- 0.5 L Drop PET Bottle
52.3 × 71.5 × 225 mm +/- 0.4 mm (Width × Depth × Height from base)
Neck finish: 32 / 19 mm (Outer / Inner diameter)
1 L Drop PET Bottle
78 × 84.6 × 265 mm +/- 0.4 mm (Width × Depth × Height from base)
Neck finish: 32 / 19 mm (Outer / Inner diameter)
2 L Drop PET Bottle
97.5 × 109 × 298 mm +/- 0.4 mm (Width × Depth × Height from base)
Neck finish: 32 / 19 mm (Outer / Inner diameter) - Tags
- Precision Flow Control, Anti-Drip Engineering, Clean Pour Technology, Ergonomic Handling, Practical Functionality, Safe Structure, Lightweight Construction, Impact-Resistant Material, Optimized Consumption, Measured Dispensing, Kitchen-Centric Design, Family-Oriented Usability, Premium Brand Perception, Function-Driven Form, User-Centered Experience
- Production Technology
- Produced from PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate) preforms using aluminum molds.
Metallized printed label is used.
Grey areas represent the natural color of the label material; no ink is printed on these areas. UV matte varnish / selective UV gloss varnish is applied.
Silver metallized PP (Polypropylene) label.
Blow-molded PET bottle produced from preform.
Plastic safety-protected cap. The products are available in four varieties: Sunflower Oil, Corn Oil, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, and Riviera Olive Oil.
The refining process consists of a 36-hour, six-stage system: Degumming, Neutralization, Dewaxing, Bleaching, Winterization, and Deodorization.
Degumming (1 hour):
Natural sediments and gummy substances present in crude oil are removed, preparing the oil for the next stage.
Neutralization (1 hour):
Free fatty acids found in crude oil are neutralized.
Dewaxing (8 hours):
Substances that cause cloudiness and solidification in cold environments are removed from the crude oil.
Bleaching (4 hours):
Color pigments are eliminated, while trace heavy metals and metal ions are adsorbed and removed from the oil.
Winterization (16 hours):
The oil is gradually cooled, allowing crystallized components to be separated. This stage stabilizes clarity and improves visual quality.
Deodorization (6 hours):
Undesired odors and impurities are removed through high temperature and vacuum techniques.
Within this six-stage system, impurities are removed more effectively without damaging the oil’s natural structure. This process extends shelf life, enhances performance during use especially in frying reduces foaming, and ensures longer-lasting stability and clarity. - Design Challenge
- The main challenge was achieving controlled flow and anti-drip performance through a distinctive form without compromising aesthetics and usability.
- Project Duration
- Turkiye/Istanbul
- Operation Flow
- Controlled Pouring Performance
The drop-shaped form regulates oil flow speed.
Minimizes excessive pouring and splashing.
Reduces oil accumulation and dripping around the bottle neck.
Ensures a cleaner kitchen and more economical usage.
Ergonomic Grip and Ease of Use
The lightweight PET structure provides easy handling and transport.
The drop form naturally fits the hand, offering balanced control.
Enables comfortable single-hand use, especially while cooking.
Delivers a practical, comfortable, and safe user experience.
Product Safety and Freshness Perception
PET packaging is impact-resistant, reducing breakage risk.
The transparent structure allows consumers to see the product’s clarity and purity.
The controlled drop flow creates a perception of measured and conscious consumption.
Reinforces a premium, organized, and trustworthy brand image.
Economical and Conscious Consumption
Prevents unnecessary overuse.
Contributes to longer product lifespan.
Supports family budget efficiency while encouraging sustainable consumption habits. - Research
- This design explores how form-driven geometry can enhance pouring precision, ergonomics, and user experience in everyday oil consumption.
- Inspiration
- The inspiration behind this design comes from the modern woman who moves confidently between different rhythms of life. Her strength, elegance, discipline, and warmth are translated into a single sculptural form. The flowing silhouette reflects continuity and balance, while the refined proportions symbolize inner stability. Rather than depicting a single role, the design celebrates harmony where ambition and serenity coexist within one powerful identity.
Colors of Zade Oils Bottle
Grand Interview about Zade Oils Bottle
The primary inspiration behind the form was the woman herself. The bottle was designed with a silhouette that subconsciously reflects the curves, productivity, and elegance of a woman. On the shelf, it stands almost like a tribute to women—a form that feels more like an award than a conventional oil bottle. This distinctive presence immediately differentiates it from competing products. The label design was developed to complement the bottle, representing the balance women maintain between their professional and family lives. Together, the bottle and label create a unified narrative that celebrates strength, grace, and achievement.
The form itself already embodies the essence of a woman. The drop shape was intentionally designed upside down to enhance both visual impact and functional performance. Its strong posture symbolizes the shoulders and upper body, while its balanced geometry allows gravity to distribute weight efficiently, ensuring stability when standing upright. Much like women themselves, the bottle combines strength and elegance in a natural and effortless way. This duality allowed us to create a package that is both emotionally engaging on the shelf and highly practical in everyday use.
Part of the process was intuitive, but usability was rigorously tested through multiple prototypes and physical models. While we were determined not to compromise the emotional character and aesthetic integrity of the design, we simultaneously focused on achieving functional excellence. Through repeated testing and refinement, we discovered that maintaining the purity of the form could also enhance pouring control and user comfort. Ultimately, the project demonstrated that aesthetics and functionality do not have to compete; when approached correctly, they can strengthen one another.
For decades, the category has been dominated by bottle designs shaped by similar concerns and conventions. Most brands attempt differentiation primarily through label graphics, and often even that opportunity is not fully explored. Zade is unique because it delivers its brand promise and storytelling through both the bottle form and the label design. By enhancing functionality while simultaneously creating visual pleasure, the design elevates the perception of the product. The positive reactions and recognition it has received demonstrate that everyday consumer goods can and should benefit from the same level of thoughtful design investment traditionally reserved for premium or luxury products.
The original concept featured an even stronger visual presence. The bottle had a more pronounced foot-like base, broader shoulders, and a slightly narrower foundation. However, during production development, there were concerns that this configuration could increase the risk of tipping over on the manufacturing line and during consumer use. Rather than compromising the design language, we refined the lower section of the bottle and introduced subtle structural recesses along the sides. These adjustments improved stability while also enhancing grip and preventing slipping during handling. The experience reinforced an important lesson: functional challenges can often become opportunities to strengthen a design rather than weaken it.
Graphn Creative is an agency with extensive expertise in color management, printing technologies, and production processes. This knowledge played a significant role in shaping the label’s visual language. The label was designed to carry multiple layers of meaning. The metallic areas symbolize the professional side of a woman’s life, while the colored sections represent her family and personal world. Both areas were finished with a matte texture to convey sophistication and refinement. In contrast, the logo and its supporting elements were highlighted with gloss finishes, allowing them to catch the light and strengthen brand recognition. The label was intentionally kept compact and elegant, complementing rather than competing with the bottle form. This balance helped maximize shelf impact while preserving the purity and attractiveness of the overall design.
That observation is absolutely correct. At Graphn Creative, we build long-term strategic partnerships with brands rather than short-term project-based relationships. Many of our clients have worked with us for more than a decade because we support them throughout their entire journey, from creation to growth and beyond.I often describe our role by saying, “We are also the guardians of the brand. Once it is born, we protect it from misuse, misinterpretation, and inconsistency.” Because we witness the birth of a brand, we develop a deep understanding of its DNA and future potential. This allows us to anticipate challenges and opportunities long before they arise. In the case of Zade, we already have clear ideas about how the design language can be extended into larger-volume formats and future product lines while maintaining a consistent and recognizable identity.
When we design, we always see the bigger picture. We not only consider the current product range but also anticipate future extensions and variations that may emerge over time. Every design decision is made within a carefully planned system. There are no surprises because every detail is analyzed, calculated, and strategically coded into the brand architecture.Throughout our work, we have developed many successful color-coding systems that have become dominant references within their respective categories. Feedback from Zade’s marketing and sales teams has consistently indicated that consumers have no difficulty distinguishing between the variants. In fact, we frequently encountered consumers who said they purchased the product solely because of the bottle’s refined and elegant appearance. Some even described themselves as loyal users of competing brands but admitted that the distinctive design motivated them to try Zade for the first time. Such feedback confirmed the power of packaging design to influence consumer behavior and create meaningful brand engagement.
From the very beginning, I believed that the bottle itself needed to communicate the brand strategy and create the first emotional connection with consumers. This was never intended to be achieved through the label alone; it required a complete visual statement expressed through the entire package.The drop shape was a deliberate choice. In nature, a droplet is one of the most effective forms for refracting and reflecting light. It is, in many ways, the lens that creates rainbows. It is also one of the most effective forms for showcasing the beauty and purity of a liquid. Through these optical qualities, the bottle communicates freshness, quality, and even a sense of flavor before the product is experienced. The drop form was therefore never accidental. It represents a timeless natural element and serves as the fundamental unit of an infinite source.
That, in essence, is what design is all about: understanding the brief, understanding the product, and finding the most meaningful way to express its essence. Along the way, designers will inevitably encounter clichés, technical limitations, production constraints, and countless other obstacles. My advice is simple: begin with a strong vision and focus on the bigger picture.Whether the challenge involves printing, tooling, manufacturing, or logistics, the best solutions can always be achieved through collaboration. At the beginning of meetings with clients, suppliers, and agency teams, I often say, “We are all on the same team. We will share each other’s challenges, dreams, and ultimately, each other’s success.”Suppliers naturally tend to prefer the easiest and safest solutions. Designers, however, should not place limits on their imagination. When suppliers understand and embrace the vision, they often become proud contributors to the final achievement. That was exactly our experience with Zade. Throughout production development, labeling challenges, and manufacturing optimization, the form itself remained untouchable. It was the one element we refused to compromise. By holding firmly to that vision, we were able to transform challenges into opportunities and bring the design to life exactly as intended.