Alice Lorant is a Japanese-American Graphic Designer based in NYC with roots in Tokyo, Japan. With professional experience working at Le Studio Anthost, Alice has honed a versatile skill set, specializing in editorial content, branding, digital experiences, motion graphics, packaging, and photography. Passionate about blending creativity and functionality, Alice strives to bring a unique perspective to every project, combining artistic vision with practical design solutions.
P005 Objecting Empathy
Association: Packaging
Year: 2023-2024
Advisor: Daisuke Endo
# Members: 1 (solo project)
Objecting Empathy is a packaging design series that delves into the personification of inanimate objects, exploring how each object connects to its owner and the stories behind these personal attachments. The objective was to investigate how each design could reflect personal identity in unique and creative ways, turning everyday objects into characters that hold meaning for their owners.
For this project, I created four distinct packaging designs, each based on a different object chosen by one of my friends—objects that they felt a deep attachment to. Each design was inspired by the made-up "personality" of the chosen object, allowing me to explore how the packaging could convey the object’s essence, history, and connection to its owner. These designs ranged in style and aesthetic, reflecting the diversity of personalities and relationships that people have with their belongings.
The project offered a fascinating opportunity to explore emotional design and how packaging can become a visual language that connects people to their memories, experiences, and personal identities.
For this project, I began by conducting interviews with each person to better understand their personal connection with the object they had chosen. I asked them about the placement of the object, how they treat it, and the history behind it—all to capture the emotional significance these objects held in their lives. The objects themselves became more than just physical items; they were symbols of memories, relationships, and personal milestones.
Here are the objects selected by my friends and the stories behind them:
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Xiyona Gosains chose a collection of letters from friends. These letters represented heartfelt connections and the enduring value of communication. The design for this package would reflect warmth, sentimentality, and a sense of personal history.
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Logan Ping selected a set of polaroids of friends and family. For Logan, these photos were frozen moments in time that captured meaningful relationships and experiences. The design would emphasize nostalgia and the importance of tangible memories.
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Sooleen had a collection of postcards and images from places she visited. Each postcard represented a unique adventure and a personal connection to the locations she had explored. The design for this packaging would reflect travel, exploration, and the rich diversity of experiences.
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For my own object, I chose my first wallet, which I bought with my first income. This wallet symbolized independence, accomplishment, and the start of a new chapter in life. The design would reflect a sense of pride and personal growth.
It was fascinating to see the relationship between each person and their object—each object had a story and unique significance that shaped how they viewed and treated it. This insight helped me to create personalized and meaningful packaging that conveyed the essence of each object and its deep connection to the individual. I also contemplated how to establish a connection and convey the significance of these deeply personal objects to a broader audience through graphic design.
After learning the backstories behind each object and asking each person to name their object with a fitting personality, I designed a guidebook on how to properly care for them. The guidebook was inspired by how each individual actually treated their objects in real life, emphasizing the personal connection they had with these items. The goal was to not only reflect the personality of the object through the design but also offer practical, yet personalized advice on maintaining its value and care. For example, Xiyona Gosains’ letters were named Skylar, a name that encapsulated the positive energy she gets when reading them when feeling down. The guidebook for Skylar warned users about the importance of avoiding liquids around the letters to prevent damage, as well as the need to protect them with a fabric bag. Additionally, it recommended placing the letters under a desk—just as Xiyona kept her collection.
The guidebook not only served as a functional resource for each object but also acted as a reflection of the personal significance behind each one. By drawing inspiration from how each person treated their object in real life, I was able to craft a care guide that felt authentic and personal, creating a deeper connection between the user and the object.
Next, I moved on to the core of the project—designing the packaging. Each package was designed to mimic the shape and usage of its respective object, creating a tactile connection between the design and the item itself. For Xiyona, who prefers brighter, bolder designs, I wanted the packaging to reflect her vibrant personality.
To make the design even more personal and meaningful, I incorporated several elements that tied back to her object and her style. The packaging features patterns taken from one of her letter sleeves, adding a layer of familiarity and connection. The typeface used for the text is directly inspired by the handwriting from one of her birthday letters, capturing the personal, intimate feel of her communication. Additionally, the colors chosen for the design were referenced from one of the letters she had written, creating a cohesive visual narrative.
To bring everything full circle, the imagery in the background of the packaging is a photograph I took of Xiyona’s letters during our interview. This adds an extra layer of authenticity, grounding the design in the physical object and her personal story. By integrating these personal touches into the design, the packaging not only reflects Xiyona’s connection to her letters but also makes her story and style come alive visually.
The packaging for Logan’s object was designed with a square shape, directly reflecting the polaroids he keeps on display in his room. The grid pattern on the packaging mimics how the polaroids are arranged and hung on his wall, creating a visual connection to how Logan physically displays these photos. I used rasterized images of his actual polaroids taken during our interview, ensuring the design stayed authentic to his personal collection. To emphasize the nostalgia Logan feels when looking back at these photographs, I kept the color palette simple, opting for black and white. This minimalistic approach enhances the sense of timelessness and allows the photos themselves to take center stage, capturing the emotional connection Logan has with each image.
Logan named his collection Zuoheng Jr., a personal choice that ties back to his Chinese name—Zuoheng. He views his polaroids as an extension of himself and his history, which adds even more depth to the design. The name Zuoheng Jr. evokes a sense of legacy and identity, making the packaging not only a reflection of the photographs but also a representation of Logan’s personal connection to his past. By incorporating elements of Logan's life and his connection to his polaroids, the packaging becomes a meaningful extension of his story, while the nostalgic black-and-white design evokes the sense of looking back at treasured memories.
For the next packaging design, I named it Juliette, inspired by Sooleen’s collection of postcards and trinkets from her travels. During our conversation, Sooleen shared how she arranges her posters and postcards in a specific layout on the walls of each apartment she’s lived in, and how she feels inspired every time she sees them. Her attachment to these items is deep, especially a poster she used to promote her design show during her study abroad trip in London. I wanted the packaging to reflect this strong emotional connection to the places and memories that Sooleen cherishes. The design draws from several aspects of Sooleen’s personal story. The colors used in the packaging are inspired by the lights in her room, reflecting the ambient, cozy atmosphere she enjoys in her space. The rectangular shapes in the background pattern are based on how Sooleen arranges her posters and postcards on the walls—emphasizing the way she intentionally places these items in a grid-like structure, a display that’s as much about the artistic composition as it is about the memories they evoke.
The name Juliette itself adds a layer of personal meaning, tying back to Sooleen’s attachment to her travel experiences and how these objects serve as both artistic inspiration and sentimental reminders of her journey. The packaging design, with its color choices and layout, mirrors her living space and the special way she interacts with her memories, making the design as much about the objects themselves as it is about Sooleen's deeper connection to them.
For my own packaging design, I decided to create a box that mimicked the shape of my wallet, which I chose as my personal object. This wallet holds significant meaning for me as it was the first purchase I made with my first income from my first job—a milestone in my life. Since I loved the shape and functionality of the wallet, I wanted the packaging to reflect those same qualities. The box was designed to mimic the squareness of the wallet, creating a direct visual and tactile connection to the object itself. To further reflect the essence of the wallet, I incorporated design elements that were inspired by the brand it came from—Comme des Garçons. The font used in the packaging is directly taken from the brand's aesthetic, lending a touch of sophistication and minimalism.
Additionally, I wanted the textures of the wallet to be represented in the design, so I used background textures that were derived from the leather of the wallet. These textures were captured from high-resolution scans of the wallet, creating a visual and tactile connection between the packaging and the actual object.The colors of the packaging were carefully chosen to match those of the wallet itself, using the rich tones that reflect the leather’s natural hue. This color palette enhances the sense of authenticity and aligns with the overall refined, timeless aesthetic of the wallet. By incorporating these elements—shape, texture, and color—the packaging not only visually mirrors the wallet but also embodies the emotional significance it holds for me. The design becomes a tangible reflection of my personal growth and the milestone that this wallet represents.
Key Takeaways: Key takeaways for next time would focus on enhancing User Interaction & the Packaging Opening Experience. Incorporating interactive elements into the design can truly elevate the user’s experience. For example, for Sooleen’s postcards, I could have explored fold-out packaging that simulates the act of flipping through her collection, creating a more immersive and tactile interaction. For my wallet packaging, adding a pull-out drawer or slide-open compartment would mirror the experience of opening a wallet, making the unboxing process more engaging and meaningful.
Additionally, printing the designs to test how they would appear on textured materials would allow me to see how the design interacts with different finishes and how it enhances the overall tactile experience. This would also give me the opportunity to adjust design elements to better suit the physical packaging. Another consideration for the packaging would be how it’s presented and opened. Creating a customized inner layer that securely holds the object would ensure the recipient feels like they’re unveiling something precious and special. Using materials like tissue paper or adding a special interior design could contribute to a more exciting and anticipated unboxing experience, further connecting the recipient with the object and its story. Incorporating these interactive and sensory details into the packaging design would provide a more memorable and dynamic experience for the user.