Bronze Packaging Design · 2026
Forest Spring Packaging
by Sheng Jin, Chao Yang and Wenqi Wu
- A' Design Award 2026 Bronze Winner in Packaging Design
- Awarded April 15, 2026
- CLIENT: Communication University of Zhejiang
- Estimated Number of Design Views: 5,234
- Verification code B51901B194 · Verify this award
About Forest Spring Packaging
Forest Spring is a packaging design for bottled water. The label is based on the Chinese character sen, meaning forest, which is transformed into an ink landscape. Calligraphic strokes, tonal gradation and spatial contrast evoke mountains, trees and natural vitality within a single form. The composition was refined in vector format and calibrated for consistent print reproduction. The transparent bottle holds 500 millilitres and has a twist-off cap. The design expresses purity and harmony between people and nature.
Packaging design traditions rooted in material innovation and cultural visual heritage converge in this carefully conceived beverage container system, where the functional requirements of liquid containment meet sophisticated decorative ambition through intelligent exploitation of translucent substrate properties that permit embossed landscape imagery to function simultaneously as surface texture and transmitted-light illustration, the cylindrical vessel format adheres to ergonomic conventions ensuring comfortable grip and efficient storage while the gently tapered shoulder transitions gracefully to ribbed closure, establishing proportional relationships that balance visual elegance with practical functionality, the designer demonstrates notable compositional achievement in the integration of typographic elements and pictorial content, positioning ideographic characters and descriptive text in the upper register to maintain label clarity and regulatory compliance while dedicating the lower two-thirds to the defining landscape motif, this vertical hierarchy respects conventional information architecture for beverage packaging while creating substantial visual impact through the mountain relief that cascades across the primary display panel, the technical execution of the embossed decoration reveals sophisticated understanding of polymer molding capabilities and light-transmission physics, as varying material thickness in the relief generates atmospheric perspective effects through differential light diffusion, thicker embossed mountain forms appear in saturated cyan-turquoise while thinner surrounding substrate allows more light passage creating pale aqueous tones, this painterly gradation achieved through industrial process rather than applied pigment demonstrates remarkable economy of means and material intelligence, the chromatic selection of cool cyan-turquoise carries multiple semantic associations including water purity, environmental freshness, natural spring sources, and contemporary wellness aesthetics, while the restrained near-monochromatic palette projects cultivated simplicity and premium positioning within competitive retail environments, the landscape iconography itself engages deep cultural visual traditions of mountain representation as symbols of natural purity, enduring permanence, spiritual elevation, and pristine water sources originating in high-altitude springs, the stylized organic contours of the peaked forms suggest geological authenticity while maintaining decorative abstraction appropriate to commercial application, the small vertical element crowning the central summit may reference vegetation, architectural marker, or symbolic pinnacle, adding narrative specificity and visual punctuation to the composition, surface finish throughout maintains pristine clarity suggesting careful quality control and premium manufacturing standards, while the ribbed cap texture provides tactile interest and practical torque enhancement for opening, this work invites consideration of how industrial packaging design can transcend purely utilitarian function to become vehicles for cultural storytelling and aesthetic contemplation, how material properties when thoughtfully exploited generate visual effects previously requiring hand-craft techniques, and how contemporary commercial objects increasingly bear responsibility for communicating brand values, environmental consciousness, and cultural identity through integrated visual systems where every formal decision carries semantic weight, viewers might contemplate the relationship between container and contained, how packaging shapes perception of product purity and origin, and whether such thoughtful material and decorative choices influence experiential appreciation beyond mere functional service.
Press Kit
- Unique Properties
- The chinese character "sen" (forest) symbolizes forest and nature. This design transforms the character into a chinese ink landscape, using brushwork and spatial contrast to evoke mountains and vitality. Rooted in the philosophy of harmony between humanity and nature, it expresses ecological coexistence and reflects the pure, natural essence of "forest spring."
- Dimensions & Packaging
- bottle 65 mm diameter x 210 mm height, 500 ml capacity, neck 28 mm pco 1881
material food grade pet, wall thickness 0.25 to 0.35 mm
label area 190 mm x 60 mm wrap around
cap hdpe tamper evident
net weight 12 to 14 g bottle, 2 g cap
secondary package 400 mm x 270 mm x 220 mm, 24 bottles per corrugated carton - Tags
- Chinese character design, forest symbolism, water ink landscape, typography innovation, eco-conscious branding
- Production Technology
- The design was realized through structural deconstruction of the character "sen," examining stroke proportion and spatial hierarchy to reconstruct it as a landscape form. digital ink-wash simulations replicated xuan paper diffusion and tonal gradation. The composition was refined in vector format for scalability and brand application, then color-calibrated with cmyk optimization to ensure consistency across print and packaging production.
- Design Challenge
- The main challenge was transforming the Chinese character "sen" into a visually compelling landscape while preserving its legibility and cultural meaning. internally, balancing historical calligraphy aesthetics with modern brand storytelling required careful study of traditional ink techniques and symbolism. externally, constraints included digital reproduction limits, printing technology, and material properties, which demanded iterative testing and refinement to ensure both artistic integrity and practical manufacturability.
- Project Duration
- The project started in August 2025 in Hangzhou and finished in October 2025 in Hangzhou
- Operation Flow
- The bottle is easy to use: simply twist off the cap to pour or drink. Its ergonomic shape fits comfortably in hand, while the transparent body allows users to see the water level. the label’s visual design guides the eye to the brand and emphasizes purity. Lightweight and durable, the bottle is easy to carry, stack, and store, ensuring convenience and a premium experience while maintaining a natural, eco-conscious impression.
- Research
- Type of research: design-driven cultural study. Objective: explore how Chinese characters can convey ecological and brand values. methodology: visual analysis and typographic experimentation. Data collection/tools: ink painting simulations, digital sketching, surveys on perception. participants: 30 viewers and design experts. results: "sen" effectively communicates nature and purity. Insights: integrating traditional aesthetics enhances brand storytelling and fosters eco-conscious design, impacting society and sustainable product perception.
- Inspiration
- Inspired by the ecological symbolism of the Chinese character "sen" (forest), this project explores how typography embodies environmental philosophy. Drawing from traditional chinese ink landscape aesthetics and harmony between humanity and nature, the design transforms a character into a spatial visual narrative. The research integrates calligraphic structure, ink composition, and brand communication strategies to express the natural purity and sustainable values of "forest spring."