Bronze Packaging Design · 2023

Kotori Packaging

by Shun Kudo

A' Design Award 2023 Bronze Winner in Packaging Design
Awarded April 15, 2023
CLIENT: Kotori
Estimated Number of Design Views: 11,029
Verification code 9C33D2B4B6 · Verify this award

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About Kotori Packaging

Kotori is a packaging design for a Japanese charm that carries a personal message. The name Kotori combines the Japanese words Kotoba, meaning word, and Omamori, meaning charm. A bird symbol represents a carrier pigeon that delivers and protects the message. The charm bag is made of Nishijin brocade woven in Kyoto. The bag rests in a paulownia wood box lined with a straw-like wooden cushion that resembles a bird's nest, and the box is closed with an original band. A small letter card holds the written words.

Press Kit

Unique Properties: I believe that "words" received from a loved one are like a good luck charm. When you feel down, when you are hurt, when you want to cry, when you need someone's support, just remembering a word from a loved one is enough to encourage you. We have created a product that allows you to feel the presence of your loved ones right next to you at any time by using their words as a charm.
Dimensions & Packaging: Japanese Charm
(W40mm x H80mm)
KOTORI's main bag for charm. The fabric is woven in Nishijin, Kyoto.
Outer box
(W63mm x H104mm x D35mm)
A paulownia wood box in which the charm bag is stored. The paulownia box is fastened with KOTORI's original obi.
Letter Card
(W29mm x H45mm)
(W29mm x H45mm) A form and card for writing a message.
Tags: Japanese Charm, Package, Letter Set,
Production Technology: The design uses a paulownia wood box in a shape that allows the Japanese charm to be carefully stored. And inside of the box is made of a wooden straw-like cushion material to resemble a bird's nest in conjunction with the symbolic bird. The charm is gently stored on top of it. The fabric of Japanese charm is made of Nishijin brocade produced in Kyoto, giving it an elegant feel.
Design Challenge: The culture of letting words function as "OMAMORI"(charm) does not currently exist in Japan. However, the world is full of "words. New words are born every day and are lost with the fashion, and people seem to be always on the lookout for what kind of words have credibility. Among all these words, the words that never change are the core words from "precious people. In this age of information overflow, I feel that words should function as "something to believe in" that cannot be shaken by anything.
Project Duration: The project was started in October 2018, based in Tokyo, and opened to the public around April 2019.
Operation Flow: After entering a message on the service website, the purchaser will receive an Japanese charm with a letter enclosing that message. Please send the Japanese charm with this important message to your loved ones.
Research: Words have a mysterious power. They can change your life with a single word. However, in today's daily information overflow world, I feel these precious words have become buried. The development of the Internet has overflowed us with so much information, and changes in communication tools have changed how words are used. Therefore, we decided to create a "product to protect precious words" to prevent them from being buried. This charm is to protect words, and at the same time, it is to create a connection between people. We want to create a future where people can continue to feel connected to others without feeling lonely. We believe that relationship is what makes people happy.
Inspiration: The name "Kotori" is a cross between the Japanese words "Kotoba"(word) and "Omamori"(charm).' We interpreted the bird that delivers the word as a carrier pigeon and designed a symbol to impress it. The symbol suggests that it is a being that delivers and protects the word.
Image Credits: Shun Kudo
Patents: ISSHO inc.