DIDGERIDOO BRAND CIGAR BOX
SUMMER 2020
PROJECT TYPE: COMMISSION
PROJECT GOAL: LABELS FOR FAUX CIGAR BOX
PROJECT GOAL: LABELS FOR FAUX CIGAR BOX
A good friend of mine tasked me with fabricating a storage box with the outer appearance of a case of cigars. What began as a fun weekend project inspired more and more details and finishing touches.
This project necessitated the total invention of a fictitious tobacco company. The brand name, logo, and our imaginary founder were entirely based on a series of inside jokes between the two of us.
This project necessitated the total invention of a fictitious tobacco company. The brand name, logo, and our imaginary founder were entirely based on a series of inside jokes between the two of us.
In addition to designing the labels, I also hand crafted the box itself.
LID LABEL
The box was intended to be reserved for “special occasions.” The Emperor’s Edition emblem is simple but sharp. Taking cues from real cigar boxes, I included only minimum product information and decoration.
INSIDE BLURB
I based our fictitious tobacco company out of Australia. This became a source for all facets of the design - including the brand name and silhouette logo. The high contrast text further supports the special edition nature of the box.
I based our fictitious tobacco company out of Australia. This became a source for all facets of the design - including the brand name and silhouette logo. The high contrast text further supports the special edition nature of the box.
QUALITY SEAL
After doing some touch ups on an image of a real Cuban cigar box seal, I vectorized it. I swapped the Cuban crest for the Australian, and superimposed a banner graphic and other smaller decorations to obscure some of the irrelevant features. I then inserted approximate translations of the original text and adjusted the colors for printing.
BAR CODE TAG
Here I researched cigar prices and adjusted them for bulk packaging and inflation. While luxury cigar brands do not have such garish price tags, I felt the bar code made the box seem more genuine.
CIGAR BAND
I echoed the diamond shape of the lid label in the cigar band. I left the band uncluttered, using only the D from the logo as an identifier.
GUARANTEE & WARNING
The text here is taken directly from cigar packaging. As this product is intended to have been manufactured in 2001, I swapped out the email address for the corresponding phone number.
FINAL PRODUCT
Once the labels were printed, hand-cut, and applied to their positions on the box, I gave my friend the honor of cutting open the seal for the first time. The true joy came in handling the completed box. When you open the latch and reveal the tray of cigars inside, it looks and feels like a real product. In the end, the design of the various labels complemented the finish I attained on the box. To a passerby, the box appears to be merely an oversized case of Australian cigars.
Hidden inside, however, is treasure!
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