Qili Perfume

Qili Perfume

Qili Perfume is an artistic fragrance product that synthesizes Eastern philosophical principles with contemporary packaging design methodologies to create a multisensory brand experience centered on the concept of harmonious coexistence with nature. Designed by Wang Houcai and developed for Banwea Brand Design (Shanghai) Co., Ltd., Qili Perfume derives its nomenclature from a Chinese philosophical concept signifying all things coexist and all things are connected, thereby establishing a foundational design ethos that permeates every aspect of the product's material and aesthetic realization. The design draws profound inspiration from the ancient Chinese cosmological framework known as Round Sky and Square Earth (Tian Yuan Di Fang), a philosophical construct originating from Zengzi's Da Dai Li Ji Zeng Zi Tian Yuan that represents the dualistic interplay of yin and yang forces. This philosophical foundation manifests physically through the perfume's distinctive architectural composition, wherein a circular resin bottle cap is juxtaposed with a square glass bottle body, creating a visual and tactile representation of the balance between sensibility and rationality, softness and hardness. The dimensional specifications of the bottle measure 42mm by 42mm by 110mm, housed within a touch-sensitive paper box measuring 90mm by 90mm by 120mm, with the packaging incorporating honeycomb paper as an outer protective layer to provide cushioning during transportation while maintaining environmental sustainability commitments. The material selection reflects a deliberate strategy to minimize plastic usage and prioritize naturally recyclable and degradable components, including resin, glass, and specialty papers, thereby aligning the physical product with the brand's philosophical commitment to environmental stewardship. The design development process, which commenced in Shanghai on November 2, 2022, and culminated in market release on October 13, 2023, involved extensive ethnographic research across diverse Chinese landscapes, including the Taklimakan Desert in Xinjiang, Namtso Lake in Tibet, and the Gaoligong Primeval Forest in Yunnan, with these geographical explorations informing the fragrance development and being commemorated through specific longitudes and latitudes inscribed on the packaging. The operational mechanism of Qili Perfume follows conventional perfume application protocols, requiring users to remove the bottle cap and depress the pump mechanism to dispense the fragrance. The design successfully addresses the challenge of conveying profound Eastern cultural connotations through contemporary design language, achieving a synthesis that presents consumers with what the designers characterize as a fusion of sensory experience and rational understanding. This approach not only differentiates Qili Perfume within the competitive fragrance market but also demonstrates how traditional philosophical concepts can be translated into tangible product design elements that communicate brand values and cultural heritage. The packaging design extends beyond mere functional containment to serve as a narrative device, with the square-and-circle motif functioning as a visual metaphor for the brand's conceptual framework and the geographical annotations serving as cartographic documentation of the brand's research methodology. Qili Perfume received the Silver A' Design Award in the Packaging Design category in 2025, one of the world's most prestigious design competitions, with this recognition acknowledging the design's excellence in innovation, sustainability, functional efficiency, aesthetic appeal, material choice, user convenience, brand identity reflection, and cultural relevance. The award designation recognizes Qili Perfume as a tremendously brilliant and exceedingly creative work that illustrates outstanding expertise, talent, and acuity in packaging design, with the jury acknowledging its strong technical characteristics, splendid artistic skill, original innovations, and insightful creativity. The design exemplifies how packaging can transcend utilitarian function to become a medium for philosophical expression and cultural communication, establishing a precedent for how fragrance brands can integrate traditional wisdom with contemporary design practices to create products that resonate on multiple experiential levels while maintaining commitments to environmental responsibility and material sustainability.

Artistic Fragrance Packaging, Eastern Philosophy Design, Sustainable Perfume Bottle, Round Sky Square Earth Concept, Cultural Packaging Innovation, Eco-Friendly Fragrance Design

— Adam Dawson

CITATION : "Adam Dawson. 'Qili Perfume.' Design+Encyclopedia. https://design-encyclopedia.com/define/qili-perfume?E=483559 (Accessed on October 14, 2026)"