Mai: Eco-friendly Packaging

Nature-Inspired Packaging

mai: is a boutique, mindful and eco-friendly co-living space located in the midst of a greenery forest in Noosa Hinterland, QLD Australia. Handcrafted to live in harmony with nature, mai: is carefully crafted for you to slow down, relax, feel at home with our own mind & body. The name “mai:” comes from “mai:tri” (pronounced “my-tree”) a Sanskrit for “compassionate friendship.” It is the Buddist philosophy of cultivating unconditional friendship towards oneself. It’s also a homonym of the “mind” in mindfulness and “plum flower” (indicating spring season) in Vietnamese.

Inspired by the practice of mindfulness in Plum Village – Tradition of Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh that our founders had experienced during the pandemic due to COVID-19 in 2021, we have created a wholistic brand identity that encompasses the quality of sustainable and eco-aware services, linked to the wellbeing of a slow-paced lifestyle. Therefore, The labels of fresh produce from mai:’s permaculture garden capture every nuance of shape and color of various fruits and vegetables. With nature in mind, we experiment with materials that are 100% compostable, printed using vegetable based ink on cardboard from sustainably managed forests and signature bio-bags based on plant cellulose.

The illustration style is abstract depicting the signature shapes and colors of the produce in a minimal manner. Keeping the style abstract implies flexible solution to cater to the vast range of possible products of our farm in the future. Common elements such as the logo positioning, fonts and title hierarchy also remain throughout all products to create consistency across all ranges and evoke brand recognition.

Curator’s Insight: The packaging design of Mai: is a beautiful example of how to create a nature-inspired, eco-friendly and mindful brand identity that appeals to both the senses and the soul. It is a packaging design that not only showcases the produce, but also invites you to experience the lifestyle and values of the brand.