NYONYA SINGAPURA


Packaging Design
2016


Although there may be no one iconic pattern that best represents Singapore, there are many motifs we relate to. The one motif which I feel that most Singaporeans can definitely relate to is the peony flowers on the batik sarong on the Peranakan traditional costume. The batik sarong has a rich history and culture behind it.

Singapore, as a leading trade center for these Southeast Asian countries, offers a wide variety of batiks. The Babas and Nyonyas are a unique sociological and cultural phenomenon that occurred in an era of momentous transition. They have significantly enriched the Malaysian and Singaporean cultural heritage, cuisine, fashion and the arts.

Hence, I chose to package the beautiful Nyonya Batik Sarong, which could be a great gift from Singapore to be given to our overseas friends and share with them the rich culture and history behind these beautiful textiles.

The entire packaging was hand-made with precision. It comes with a card which explains the value of this piece of Batik Sarong, and its story behind it.




LOGO RATIONALE: 

Peonies are common motifs on batik sarong worn by peranakans as well as the peranakan pottery. Esteemed as one of the most exquisite flowers, the peony is a symbol for nobility and value. The peony became popular in the imperial palaces during the Sui and Tang dynasties, and earned the title of the “king of flowers.” A symbol of spring, it is also used as a metaphor for female beauty and reproduction. Pictured in full bloom, the peony symbolises peace.

I took reference from the peony prints on the batik sarongs and simplified the flower into a more graphical form. I then added dots at certain areas of the petal to bring in the idea of Batik which originates from the Javanese-Indonesia “amba” means draw, and “tik” and means to dot.

The logo is a symbol of the peranakans as well as the batik used to decorate the batik sarong worn by the Nyonyas. Singapura stands for Singapore in the Malay language. The brand name is named NYONYA SINGAPURA, which highlights the culture of the peranakans in singapore.