© 2014-2023 Aliaksandr Drozd
The aesthetics of Japanese images is attractive and tangy, akin to the taste of persimmon. There are lots of monograms and studies devoted to this phenomenon. I would like to single out one of them. It is the work of the Japanese writer Junichiro Tanizaki called “Praise of the Shadow”. The main idea of this essay is that Japanese beauty was born from the shadows, twilight, cloudy opaque substance. Nevertheless, it, like a ray of sunshine, illuminates our perception of beauty.
Keeping the ideas of the work mentioned above in our minds, we plunge deep in reflection on the theme of Japanese aesthetics and its place in Western culture. Inspired by original design, the KAGE aroma diffuser comprises the wabi-sabi and yugen concepts. It crystallizes the beauty through our senses of touch, smell and sight.
The concept was based on familiar Japanese images, namely: Mount Fuji, the tsukubai well and tatami mats. In the era of the first acquaintance with the country, Europeans discovered that the locals depicted Fuji with steeper slopes than it actually has. It is noteworthy that it was Western travelers who began to admire the mountain from the aesthetic standpoint. For the Japanese, it was a place of worship.
The tsukubai ritual well was originally an indispensable attribute of Buddhist temples, but later it was also used as a decorative element in a traditional Japanese garden. The shape of the well has become an ideal solution for the upper part of KAGE, as if it is a kind of sacred portal connecting the outer and inner spaces of the product.
In the production of Japanese tatami mats, they use only natural materials: straw, hemp, tow. The simple weaving pattern reflects the Japanese wabi principle of elegant simplicity.
Fujisan
tsukubai
tatami
The KAGE Aroma Diffuser holds up to 5 standard incense sticks and up to 150ml of perfume. The flat bottom and sloping walls allow the sticks to be evenly distributed, creating a harmonious pattern.
The design is collapsible. It consists of a base and a removable lid with a rubberized surface. This allows the parts to fit snugly against each other and provides protection against the evaporation of the aromatic liquid. The square hole in the lid is designed for curly incense sticks.
The KAGE body can be used as an elegant minimalist vase for a small bouquet (or a single flower) on your desktop or at home. The functional feature of the product is implemented in the Japanese principle "take up less space but be as useful as possible."
黒
影
kurokage
The characters "black" and "shadow" in the name of the product form a phonetic harmony. The black version of item is basic in the product line, which, in its turn, implies the presence of objects of different shapes and colors.
影
kurokage
The characters "black" and "shadow" in the name of the product form a phonetic harmony. The black version of item is basic in the product line, which, in its turn, implies the presence of objects of different shapes and colors.
白
影
shirokage
Continuing the principle of naming products in the line, the phonetic reading of the characters "white" and "shadow" creates a euphonious harmony. The white model, more elongated and narrower at the base, refers to the shape of the sake bottle, which is another symbol of the Japanese culture.
影
shirokage
Continuing the principle of naming products in the line, the phonetic reading of the characters "white" and "shadow" creates a euphonious harmony. The white model, more elongated and narrower at the base, refers to the shape of the sake bottle, which is another symbol of the Japanese culture.
The unadorned and artless beauty of a horsetail has been valued by the Japanese for centuries. A horsetail is associated with miniature pine branches, which resonates in the heart of a true aesthete.
horsetail
The dill umbrella is often used in Japan as a decoration plant. The concept of aesthetics assumes, first of all, the pleasure of the eye, and only then the pleasure of taste.
dill
The yarrow is the representative of flora of the middle climatic zone. When it blooms, it means that the summer is in full swing. Spreading its lush inflorescences, the yarrow fills the wild meadows of Hokkaido and Tohoku.
yarrow
The harmonious symmetry of the fern leaf excites the sense of beauty in anyone who is strolling in the early spring forest. Natural beauty at its best.
fern
Red fields of the red spider lily adorn the parks and fields of the northern part of Japan since mid-October. Graceful inflorescences on thin stalks are considered a symbol of autumn.
lYcoris
The popularity of miscanthus in Japanese culture and poetry puts it on a par with sakura and maple. A permanent witness to the borderline state between autumn and winter.
silvergrass
The set of incense sticks includes 6 pieces made of raw wood. According to the concept, they repeat the shape of some popular Japanese plants. The stark simplicity takes on an exquisite, sophisticated form. Raw wood contributes to good absorption and diffusion of the aromatic liquid.
Recommended scents will take you on a journey through Japan, from blooming camellia gardens to tea fragrance in an ancient house. Fill the air around you with warm associations and exotic fantasies of the refined Eastern traditions.
There is an intense woody scent and an aroma of a coniferous forest. This fragrance is recommended to be used in winter.
WOOD
FLOWER
CITRUS
杉 CEDAR
The smell of peony (slightly sweet with sourness and bitterness) will remind you of late spring. It will plunge you into the atmosphere of the upcoming summer.
牡丹 PEONY
An original citrus fragrance with notes of juniper and light floral notes. A very rich scent that promotes relaxation.
柚子 YUZU
Roasted green tea has a tart woody aroma with spicy notes. Immerse yourself in an atmosphere of natural warmth.
ほうじ茶 HOJICHA
Japanese camellia tsubaki has a sweet fresh smell with herbal undertones. It is recommended for use in early spring, when the snow has not melted yet.
椿 TSUBAKI
The pleasant citrus bitterness of bergamot is a great option for everyday use in the office, when you need to tune in to the working mood.
ベルガモット BERGAMOT
This project was created as part of the industrial design competition launched by the leading promotional gifts company in Russia called Project111. The work was highly appreciated by a qualified jury of 12 participants and took 3rd prize in the category "Items for home and interior". The project involves a deep dive into the history and traditions of Japan, bringing to the surface those features that may be close to the European culture. A detailed 360-degree study of the project allowed me to strengthen my skills in 3D modeling and visualization. Plant-shaped incense stick models were drawn by hand using a tablet. A careful study of packaging materials makes the project complete.
Concept
Naming
Copywriting
3D-modeling
Visualisation
Naming
Copywriting
3D-modeling
Visualisation