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.
P003 RUN LIKE MELOS
Association: Branding and Packaging
Year: 2023
Advisor: Kelly Grey
# Members: 1 (solo project)
This sports berverage was inspired from the original story by Osamu Dazai when main character, Melos, drinks from a river and regains energy to continue his journey. This brand identity explores how design can expand fictional narratives.
“The stream seemed to whisper to Melos, to beckon to him, and he bent over it and drank, scooping up the water with both hands. He let out a long, deep sigh, and felt as if he were awakening from a dream. He could go on. He would go on. As his body began to revive, a small spark of hope was kindled in his heart.”
“Run Melos” by Osamu Dazai is a reworking of Friedrich Schiller’s ballad, Die Bürgschaft which tells the story of Moerus (Melos) and Selinuntius, originally Damon and Pythia. Dazai’s version is a short story read in almost all Japanese public schools as it is in all Japanese language textbooks. It has been adapted into several different anime and plays, and has been broadcasted on Japanese national TV .
While my curriculum was mostly in English, stories like "Run, Melos" were taught in Japanese language classes, which stuck with me even after graduating high school and into my early years in college. Melos's character development resonated deeply, touching upon themes of loyalty and unwavering determination. I wanted to incorporate its narrative into my graphic design work and challenge myself to expand it further than just packaging.
Colors are taken from the English translation of “Run Melos”by Ralph McCarthy. Like most sports drinks, bright colors are used to symbolize energy and excitement. The four supporting colors represent different flavors the drink would have.
As for the branding imagery, there was a lot to consider. While the runner represents Melos in theory, the paint streak also allows users to see themselves as someone that can control their own narrative within their own story. The outline of the body was created on Illustrator. The paint streak was done on Procreate, then edited on Illustrator. This combination of elements reflects both the character’s journey and the empowerment of the consumer.
As “Run Like Melos” offers the customer a break from fatigue (much like Melos experiences in the story), I further explored how this could expand to mental health. Through social media, the brand encourages users to take time for themselves, promoting mental well-being alongside physical exercise. Additionally, the loyalty card is designed to visually represent steady progress, symbolizing the customer’s ongoing health journey and reinforcing the idea of consistent improvement, both mentally and physically.
All design, illustration, photo-editing, and branding was done by myself with Kelly Grey as my advisor.
Key Takeaways: The project successfully used brand identity to expand fictional narratives through design. However, there is room for improvement in creating a stronger emotional connection through imagery. While the runner and paint streak are purposeful, I believe I could have incorporated additional imagery or symbols that more directly evoke both physical and mental rejuvenation. For example, using elements like nature or abstract forms could further emphasize the theme of restoration and well-being. Additionally, the brand’s narrative could be further developed to better explain the connection between Melos’s journey and the customer’s own. This would help make the story more relatable, especially as certain geolocational themes might be harder for some to grasp.