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Maquera 50cl Infused Liquor Bottle by Tiravy Guillaume |
Home > Winners > Design #155986 >Interview |
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FS: What is the main principle, idea and inspiration behind your design?
TG: Maquera’s packaging forges a direct connection with enthusiasts, introducing a container intentionally designed for a new homemade infusion after enjoying its original contents. A replaceable label overlaps a screen print, creating an asymmetry. Crafted from durable materials, it becomes infinitely reusable. This approach addresses consumer concerns, making the product stand out on the shelf while being entirely sustainable.
FS: What are your future plans for this award winning design?
TG: This design pertains to a limited edition collection of beverages offered by Maquèra. Therefore, it will be a collector's bottle that will never be reissued.
FS: How long did it take you to design this particular concept?
TG: This project launched in May 2022 in Occitanie, France, shortly after the official registration of the Maquera brand. It took time to earn the owner's trust, undergoing several vintages and as many iterations before reaching the final version, which was achieved one year later in May 2023.
FS: Why did you design this particular concept? Was this design commissioned or did you decide to pursuit an inspiration?
TG: This work was commissioned, and I was greatly honored by the request.
FS: Is your design being produced or used by another company, or do you plan to sell or lease the production rights or do you intent to produce your work yourself?
TG: It has been produced by an occitan company owned by the master infuser in 2023 and 2024.
FS: Where there any other designs and/or designers that helped the influence the design of your work?
TG: I was the sole designer working on this project, but it is the result of a collective effort involving many passionate individuals.
FS: Who is the target customer for his design?
TG: Infusing liquor is a hobby that brings together a large community of passionate individuals. Maquera’s master infuser aimed to establish a direct connection with them. When purchasing liquors, they have an intention to reuse the bottle in the future. They seek robust materials and ample space to apply writable tape, allowing them to remember the date of infusion and the exact recipe.
FS: What sets this design apart from other similar or resembling concepts?
TG: The bottle stands out on the shelf due to its asymmetric design. Its prominent wood and cork stoppers offers a satisfying visual, tactile, and auditory experience when pouring a drink. Once emptied, the bottle can be washed while preserving the intact screen printing. It can then be filled with the consumer's preferred liquor and ingredients to welcome a new infusion. The main label can be replaced with writable tape, allowing the consumer to add their own indications.
FS: How did you come up with the name for this design? What does it mean?
TG: The trademark Maquèra comes from a naming process that I also took care of. It is the Occitan translation of "maquis," the terroir that provides the herbs and fruits which give this drink its distinctive taste.
FS: What is the most unique aspect of your design?
TG: After savoring the original beverage, the design encourages consumers to repurpose the bottle by infusing their own liquor. The packaging consists of two layers: screen-printed 'neutral' features and a slim horizontal label for specific details. The latter can easily be replaced with writable tape, enabling the recipe and the date of the new infusion to be noted. Thanks to sturdy materials, the bottle becomes infinitely reusable.
FS: Who did you collaborate with for this design? Did you work with people with technical / specialized skills?
TG: The bottle places emphasis on natural materials that are locally sourced. The primary goal is to ensure durability through repeated use. The secondary objective is to minimize its carbon footprint from the beginning to the end of the production chain. The paper labels, along with the beech wood and cork cap, are manufactured in France, while the glass bottle originates from neighboring Switzerland. The suppliers played a predominant role in the success of this project.
FS: Is your design influenced by data or analytical research in any way? What kind of research did you conduct for making this design?
TG: Research was conducted empirically, in the field, as close as possible to consumers. The primary goal was to understand their desires, habits and consumption patterns. Participating in their experiments and discussions, writable tape became essential to convey information on a reused bottle. A dozen prototypes were then submitted for approval to these enthusiasts, as well as to the primary stakeholder, the master infuser.
FS: What are some of the challenges you faced during the design/realization of your concept?
TG: Three constraints stood out among the others. First, the bottle had to distinguish itself from others. Second, it needed to showcase the color of the beverage as much as possible. Third, it had to be reusable for consumers. The solution was to separate generic information through screen printing on one side and specific information about a vintage on a label on the other, solving all the challenges.
FS: What did you learn or how did you improve yourself during the designing of this work?
TG: I discovered and became passionate about a field I knew nothing about: amateur liqueur infusers. I learned that the possibilities in terms of flavors and processes are virtually endless.
FS: Thank you for providing us with this opportunity to interview you.
A' Design Award and Competitions grants rights to press members and bloggers to use parts of this interview. This interview is provided as it is; DesignPRWire and A' Design Award and Competitions cannot be held responsible for the answers given by participating designers.
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