Nipple Cover Packaging Design
The historical gaze and restrictions imposed on women's breasts have forcibly generated their struggle between exposing and concealing their bodies. I have noticed that nipple covers are important good products that have contributed to women's liberation.
Aligning with the inherent meaning and physical characteristics of the product, I designed a matching and fun package that innovates in both structure and materials. It aims to awaken women’s self-recognition and remind them of their autonomy over their own bodies. Packaging design like this will leave a subtle yet lasting impression on consumers, even at a glance, making a long-term difference in the fight for women's rights.
Year
2023
Deliverables
Packaging, structural packaging design, visual, storytelling
Materials
Biodegradable plant-based paper reproduced by fallen leaves
Techniques
Flexo print, digital printing, dyeing, paper making
Throughout history, women’s breasts have been judged. Under the scrutiny of society and men, women have been harshly debated on whether they should expose their breasts, the degree of exposure, the size and shape of their breasts, the look and function of breast binding and bras, and whether their breasts should be defined by sexuality or motherhood. Nipple covers, in my view, are great inventions because they provide women with more rights. I am interested in designing a package that speaks out for women and their bodies.
I designed the spherical structure and 'nude' appearance to reflect the constraints and scrutiny that women’s breasts have faced throughout history. While this nudity visually represents exposure in a degree, the act of opening the packaging into two semi-spheres (resembling a bra) subtly mocks the paradoxical nature of nipple covers: offering relief under constraints.
Material Innovation
Women have historically been sexualized with plant metaphors, yet Ann B. Shteir's article "WOMEN AND PLANTS-A FRUITFUL TOPIC" highlights their vital but overlooked contributions to botany and medicine, from illustrations to conservation efforts. Inspired by this, I aim to create biodegradable, plant-based materials with seeds to encourage women to embrace their identities, symbolizing their role in nurturing life and breaking free from societal shame and sexualization. Compared to the previous packaging's reliance on plastic, the new packaging achieves the goals of being eco-friendly and sustainable.
