We are proud to share that our in-house creative agency, Graphic Brands, has been selected as one of only twelve design agencies worldwide, and one of just three in the UK, to take part in Make a Mark™, a global innovation project led by ESTAL, Avery Dennison and LEONHARD KURZ.
Make a Mark™ brings together some of the world’s most forward-thinking creative studios to explore the future of premium packaging, with an open brief centred on sustainability, luxury and connectivity across various categories of packaging design. It presents a rare creative opportunity to think freely and innovate without constraint and lead the way.
For Graphic Brands, this was an invitation to step beyond the expected. To reinvent. To experiment. To make a mark.
After almost a year in development, we are excited to unveil our concept.
Introducing: The Vessel
The Vessel transcends traditional packaging. It is a storytelling artefact, designed as an immersive experience.
Every element of The Vessel has been crafted to evoke intrigue, encourage exploration and connect physical design with digital storytelling.
Key Design Features
Label
A foil-embossed neck label incorporates cryptographic detailing and Art Nouveau-inspired embellishment. Hidden lore and puzzle mechanics invite the user to uncover the story behind the object.
Closure
A clockwork-inspired rotating closure features an embossed insignia and a coin-lock release. A sequence unlocks subtle markings, encouraging curiosity and puzzle-solving.
LED Base
A crafted wooden plinth integrates soft LED illumination that interacts with the liquid within. Light shifts in response to the narrative theme, symbolising story elements like alchemy or magic.
NFC Technology
Embedded in the capsule top, NFC scanning unlocks exclusive digital content, secret scenes, interactive story payoffs our augmented reality experiences.
Augmented Reality
Hidden barcodes activate AR layers, extending the narrative beyond the physical object and into a digital dimension.
Reusable by Design
The Vessel is made to be kept — refillable, re-displayable and forever part of the user’s space. A lasting artefact designed to evolve with the story it tells.
A Packaging Concept That Lives On
The Vessel is a living artefact which evolves.
Its story can be added to, expanded, or reinterpreted.
It blurs the line between luxury packaging, world-building, and interactive art.
This is just the beginning.
The story continues long after the bottle is first opened.
Discover The Vessel in full:
https://graphicbrands.co.uk/project/the-vessel/
