Designed to be Different: source adage
“adage” vessel ideation (2014), ©sourceadage
When designing our own line of home fragrances, we gave a lot of thought, naturally, to the various fragrance ingredients and scent inspirations that would define our brand from an olfactory standpoint but, as Creative Directors, Robert and I knew the importance of thoughtful packaging design to bring the brand to life.
One detail we were convinced of, above all, was the impact of having our own, proprietary vessel for our signature candles and reed diffusers. We were looking to create a luxury product so it seemed only fitting to go the extra mile with an object of decor vs. a standard jar or bottle.
Many sketches were penned. We discarded most and kept a few. We considered both form and function. Weighed trends vs. timeless design and how our vessel would mirror the character of our fragrances, the story we wanted to tell, and the audience it aimed to capture. Selfishly perhaps, we wanted something we could display proudly in our home or studio (not hide behind books!) and recognized a space in the market for what we envisioned. Likewise, our fragrances were destined to skew more masculine than most leaning towards woodsy, spicy, and herbaceous notes traditionally considered “masculine scents” instead of florals. That further informed our choice of material (black glass) and neo-classic character lines, eschewing flowery embellishments and patterns.
“adage” vessel pre-production render, ©sourceadage
After the necessary process of renders and prototypes, we arrived at the final vessel that our luxe collection of candles and reed diffusers have become known for. The distinctive pieces are made of hand-pressed, heavy gauge black glass, through and through. The alternating straight and concave facets and sheer weight in hand provide a rewarding tactile feel that evokes luxury. The decagonal, shield-like design draws from 19th century architectural details and succeeds in conveying a heritage-esque vibe - A perfect fit for our newly-minted “elevated apothecary” brand!
Luxe Collection of home fragrances