At the 26th annual Art of Packaging Gala on May 19, six students from Pratt Institute will receive awards for their work, including the fragrance packaging design projects shown here, complete with students’ descriptions. The prototypes will be on display at the Gala (info: 212 925-2507).

The awards are granted via the Marc Rosen Scholarship and Education Fund for Packaging by Design at Pratt Institute, where Rosen teaches the country’s only graduate course in package design. This year’s dinner honoree is James Gager, senior vice president and group creative director at M·A·C Cosmetics and Jo Malone Worldwide, in recognition of his outstanding commitment to package design. Gager is also a graduate of Pratt.

Rosen says the Pratt talent this year was extraordinary, leading to an increased number of awards.

“We traditionally give out four Merit Awards of $2,500 each. We choose from students of both semesters in a calendar year, in this case 2014. The student work was so exemplary that it was impossible to choose only four, so for the first time, we are giving six awards,” he explains.

This year’s winners are from all over the world, representing Finland, South Korea, Taiwan, the U.S. and China.

As an added bonus, the group got to meet with one of the beauty industry’s most revered designers. Rosen says, “We were so pleased to have this year’s Art of Packaging honoree, James Gager, present at out last class of the semester in December to critique the students’ work.”

Pratt Scholarship Winners and Their Fragrance Design Packages

Olivia Hwayoung Kim

Selene

“Fragrance Selene is inspired by the concept of the moon. Its title is also derived from the name of the goddess of the moon. Furthermore, the form of the bottle is in the configuration of a waxing moon, when a quarter of the moon is hidden by the Earth. In Oriental nature worship, the moon is one of the most essential subjects.  As the moon brightens darkness, this fragrance will also light up females. Therefore by having the concept of the moon, it will also add to the richness of an Oriental scent.” 

Liyang Xu

Cela

“The name Céla comes from the French word for conceal.It gives you a hint of the attitude of our target audience, a group of energetic women, in the summer of their lifetime, from around their mid-20s to ’50s. They are energetic, focused, and never afraid of being themselves. They appreciate four seasons differently. However, summer is one of the best, for it’s time to enjoy the company of family and friends, as well as slowing down the pace a little and enjoying simple daily things like a fresh piece of fruit or a bunch of beautiful flowers.

“The fragrance Céla reveals that hidden side of her. With a main note of rose, accompanied by refreshing citrus, the floral aroma lingers to become calmer and more sophisticated with time. She was here.”

Saana Hellsten

Aenigma

“Aenigma, which means mysterious, is a warm and spicy evening scent with many dimensions. It is a bold fragrance for a bold woman—a woman who is independent and strong, but also passionate and sensual. Her style is classy with an edgy touch.
“The bottle is strong and scepter-like. The facets reflect the multiple characters of a woman. The dark green color of the bottle derives from the shades of the deep ocean, which reveals only a little of what’s beneath the surface. The luxurious gold is the soul of the fragrance. The white creates a contrast with the dark teal and brings a modern touch.”

In-young Bae

Lalune

“Lalune is from the French ‘La Lune,’ which means The Moon. In some cultures and in literature, the moon has been compared to women with mysterious, sexy or calm sensibilities. 

“Lalune is an exclusive fragrance brand based in Paris. The scent evolved from the concept of a flower under the moonlight. Lalune cannot simply have any flower; it has flowers that are always glowing, even in the night when other flowers are hiding in the darkness. It embodies classic femininity with a modern sensibility. French jasmine and black orchid are heightened by the presence of citrus and oriental floral notes, to create a vibrant ensemble. These high-quality ingredients combine to form this modern and sophisticated fragrance. Lalune will make a woman glow among other people, even in the darkness. The fragrance represents women who are chic, classic, sophisticated, wise, strong, sharp, modern, glamorous and independent from others.”

Hsiao-Han Chen

LinLin Fragrance for Women

“Lin Lin means ‘the shimmery water’ in Chinese. The name is chosen to introduce the special attribute of this green fragrance—its subtle ever-changing notes. The movement of shimmer on the surface of water is borrowed and interpreted in this fragrance in hopes of visualizing the invisible dynamics of its notes.

“The structure is designed to bring out the picture of gradually moving ripples being blown gently by the breeze on a quiet surface of a lake. The transparency of the glass straightforwardly reinforces the imagery of clear water. The logotype with linear strokes is inspired by the gradual changing movement of the ripples, further enhancing the fluidity of notes. The gradient and the wiggly curves are repeatedly used as the main graphic style to convey the constant movement of the water.”

Marc Valega

Tigris

“Upon smelling the scent for the first time, I envisioned it to be a rare exotic fragrance that originated in Central Asia, and made its way around the world via the Silk Road. It was highly sought after, and those who wanted it let nothing stand in their way. Tigris is fierce, it evokes a sense of power and allure for the woman who isn’t afraid to get what she wants.

“The name is from the Latin word for Tiger, and is a play on the word Tigress (female tiger). It also has a geographical reference to the concept story (Tigris River).

“The Tigris logo is a cross between an Oriental woodcut, which hints at the origin story, and a coat of arms, which adds an element of nobility. The box and bottle design reference the stripes of a tiger.”