Packaging Workshop Presentations

DATE

18.07.2025

Over the past few days, students have presented the results of the Packaging Workshop led last week by Alberto Cienfuegos, designer and partner at the studio Lavernia\&Cienfuegos.

The workshop focused on designing a fragrance bottle, using the formal, conceptual, and sensory identity of an architect or architecture studio as a starting point. The assignment invited participants to translate architectural language into product design, tackling the challenge of conveying materials, proportions, and atmospheres through an everyday object.

Working in groups, students developed their proposals based on prior research into the work of selected architects. Studios such as SANAA, Herzog & de Meuron, Álvaro Siza, Peter Zumthor, and Zaha Hadid served as the conceptual and formal foundation for the packaging designs. Each team interpreted the essence of the architectural language through volume, texture, color, typography, and the product’s user experience.

The final results demonstrated a wide range of approaches, from sober and minimalist designs to more sculptural and expressive proposals. Some packaging concepts leaned into geometric abstraction, while others explored translucency, fragmentation, or the use of unexpected materials. Throughout the presentations, strong emphasis was placed on the coherence between concept, form, and function, as well as the teams’ ability to build a solid narrative around their designs.

This workshop offered students the opportunity to connect product design with other creative disciplines, encouraging reflection on how architecture can influence the way we perceive and use objects. The experience underscored the importance of formal analysis and conceptual thinking in the design process, while also strengthening collaborative and communication skills essential for their professional development.