Inspiration

From Europe to Africa and from Middle East to America, the desiccated crop of the plant has been used for transferring water, storing food, creating music instruments or as a food preparation utensil.

In Peloponnese it has been mainly used since antiquity as a utensil for collecting olive oil from the storage pots, as a bailer, named Fiala. A condition for this utensil to be practical was the upper part of the desiccated gourd to have a curved shape that could serve as a handle. After making a small hole in the middle on the upper part of the gourd, the inside is cleared leaving the wooden desiccated cell. Fiala is ready for use. This direct link of this utensil with the olive oil was the inspiration for the design and construction of the ceramic olive oil container “Fiala”.

Development

Ceramic container

The design and construction of this novel mechanical model, represent the organic form of the gourd, which takes its shape as it grows leaning against the field. Particular emphasis was given to the design of the upper part that acts as the handle. It had to be in accordance with the organic form of the lower part, it had to be ergonomic when handling and aesthetically to have futuristic details, making the overall design a coupling between modern and tradition. The logo of the FIALA brand was designed entirely with the aim to be best harmonised with the shape of the container and the futuracha font was used as reference.

External packaging

For the external paper packaging,  a custom die cut was designed, exclusively for the shape of the container. The structural form of the outer packaging is in line with the shape of the ceramic container, locking together on the upper part with the aid of handles. It is a structure with many futuristic elements, while the traditional character of the illustration with the hotfoil olive branches, fits perfectly together with the brand philosophy; the coupling between modern and tradition.

Services

• Brand development – Creative strategy

  (Concept – Brand name – Copywriting – Logo design – Visual identity)

• Prototype industrial design & construction (ceramic container model)

• Custom die cut prototype design / illustration (external package)

• Photography