Vessel Packaging System
Sustainable packaging design for a DTC skincare brand — balancing premium shelf presence with eco-conscious materials and a refill-first model.
The Brief
Vessel Skincare had a product that outperformed the competition but packaging that undercut confidence at the shelf. They wanted to lead with sustainability without looking austere — proving that ecological responsibility and premium design aren’t mutually exclusive.
Process
We spent two weeks in material research before touching any visual work. The final system uses FSC-certified uncoated board, a single-color letterpress impression, and a deboss detail that communicates craftsmanship without ink.
The refill program required designing a secondary system within the same visual language: simplified forms at a lower cost per unit, but unmistakably Vessel on the counter beside the primary packaging.
Typography was set in a single weight of a geometric sans, relying entirely on spacing and proportion rather than weight contrast. This keeps print costs low and reads clearly at every scale.
Outcome
The new packaging launched across 400 retail doors and their DTC channel simultaneously. Refill adoption hit 34% in the first quarter — well above the industry average — validating the decision to design the refill system as a first-class product rather than an afterthought.
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