Silver Packaging Design · 2025
Nai Olive Oil Case And Bottle
- A' Design Award 2025 Silver Winner in Packaging Design
- Awarded April 15, 2025
- CLIENT: A|S Strategy, Branding & Communication
- Estimated Number of Design Views: 26,955
- Verification code EF34F0B666 · Verify this award
About Nai Olive Oil Case And Bottle
The Nai packaging redefines resilience and transformation by repurposing discarded marble into unique cases for premium olive oil. Inspired by Michelangelo's transformation of rejected marble into the iconic David, each package serves as a symbol of reinvention. The bold Νai, Yes in Greek, challenges the No, the negative forces of rejection, embodying the potential for second chances. This design not only protects its contents but also carries a social message of hope and individuality, demonstrating that what is often discarded can become an extraordinary inspiration for optimism.
Within the lineage of luxury packaging design that draws upon material authenticity rather than surface embellishment, this olive oil case by Antonia Skaraki represents a sophisticated meditation on the relationship between agricultural product and geological origin. The work participates in a broader contemporary movement that seeks to reconnect consumers with the elemental sources of artisanal goods, employing natural stone as both protective vessel and symbolic statement about provenance and permanence. The technical achievement of the piece lies in its masterful negotiation between opposing surface treatments, the deliberately preserved fracture plane serving as evidence of the stone's natural formation while the precision-carved faces demonstrate human skill applied with restraint and respect for material integrity. The carved logotype, rendered in a classically proportioned serif face, transforms commercial necessity into aesthetic virtue, evoking ancient inscription traditions and positioning the contents as worthy of commemorative presentation. The chromatic restraint, limited to the inherent coloration of the stone itself, suggests an ethical stance privileging honest material expression over applied decoration. The lidded form references historical precedents in Mediterranean storage vessels while the substantial physical presence invites the recipient to retain the container long after its culinary contents have been enjoyed. One might observe how the work bridges categories typically held separate, being simultaneously functional packaging, collectible object, and sculptural artifact, inviting contemplation of how commercial design might aspire to the condition of lasting material culture.
Press Kit
- Unique Properties
- The Nai packaging is crafted from repurposed marble, making each piece unique and reinforcing the concept of transformation and reinvention. Inspired by Michelangelo's David, it symbolizes resilience by turning discarded materials into something extraordinary. The bold "Nai" (Yes) stands as a statement of defiance against rejection, encouraging second chances. This packaging not only protects its contents but also sparks a conversation about creativity, sustainability, and opportunity.
- Dimensions & Packaging
- Width 200 x 200 x 200 mm / Marble Cube Box
- Tags
- Marble packaging, repurposed materials, water jet engraving, resilience design, sustainable packaging, premium olive oil, transformation, second chances, symbolic design, rejection
- Production Technology
- The Nai packaging was created using discarded pieces of marble, which were carefully selected and shaped into a protective case for premium olive oil. The marble was processed and cut to precise dimensions to ensure the safety and integrity of the product. The name Nai was engraved using advanced water jet engraving technology, allowing for precision and clean lines. This method highlights both the sustainability of using reclaimed materials and the craftsmanship involved in transforming marble into a functional and symbolic piece.
- Design Challenge
- The greatest challenge of the Nai project was transforming discarded marble into functional packaging while simultaneously conveying a powerful social message. Creatively, we aimed to use the material’s journey from rejection to reinvention as a symbol of resilience. Marble, a heavy and rigid material, required careful shaping into a protective case without compromising its integrity, while also delivering the message of second chances. Additionally, balancing sustainability in sourcing discarded marble and using water jet engraving for precision were key technical challenges.
- Project Duration
- The project started in October 2023 in Athens, Greece and finished in January 2024 in Athens, Greece.
- Operation Flow
- A hard case which protects the valuable olive oil. The user opens the upper part which is sealed to the body by magnets and is able to take the glass bottle that is secured inside the coarse marble box.
- Research
- We searched for pieces of marble that were rejected and were going to the rubbish bin. We gave them a chance to be something useful. And showed people how beautiful they are at the same time. They became the safeguards for a vulnerable bottle of olive oil.
- Inspiration
- The Nai project was inspired by the concept of transformation and resilience, drawn from the story of Michelangelo’s David, where the artist repurposed a rejected piece of marble into an iconic masterpiece. This idea of giving new life to discarded materials resonated with our vision to create packaging that symbolizes reinvention. Additionally, the project draws from the philosophy of embracing second chances, and challenging rejection with the affirmative Nai meaning Yes to inspire optimism and defiance in the face of adversity.
- Image Credits
- Image #1 : Marios Antonopoulos
Image #2 : Marios Antonopoulos
Image #3 : Marios Antonopoulos
Image #4 : Marios Antonopoulos
Image #5 : Marios Antonopoulos - Patents
- Copyrights belong to Antonia Skaraki, 2024
Colors of Nai Olive Oil Case And Bottle
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