In China, cigarette labels play a crucial role as both the outer packaging and identification for cigarette products, providing protection and boosting
recognition.
Beyond their practical functions, the vibrant designs and rich cultural connotations embedded in cigarette labels serve as historical records, capturing the evolving social customs and preserving the footprints of history. Behind each label lies the engraving of the contemporary brand, serving as a testament to the nation's development and reflecting the spirit of the times.
At the beginning of the design process I did a lot of research and collated materials on Chinese cigarette labels, collecting a wide range of cigarette label patterns, which I organised into infographics by year and colour classification, and used them in an infolded book. These charts provide a quick overview of the development and design of Chinese cigarette labels.
Book Design
As the content of the book text changes, the timeline above shifts to the corresponding position so that the reader can quickly find the era corresponding to the development of the cigarette label.
Book Design
Many cigarette labels in China use red as the main design colour, and foil stamping is very common in recent times, so I used red as the cover colour and used foil stamping to make the book itself more relevant to the subject.
Inside Page Display
Project Summary
By compiling cigarette labels from 1836 to 2022, this project aims to show how the evolution of cigarette labels fits into the historical process. Each cigarette label is a symbol of a contemporary brand, witnessing the development of the country and reflecting the spirit of different times. This research, presented in the form of a related book, is dedicated to revealing the rich stories behind cigarette labels, providing a unique and interesting perspective to explore the changing times.
In the form of an exquisitely designed book, this research is not just an exploration of cigarette labels; it is a visual journey, an artful tapestry that unravels the hidden stories behind each label. The book design itself is a manifestation of the rich narratives concealed within these labels, providing readers with a unique and captivating perspective on the profound interplay between design evolution and the ever-shifting currents of time.