Artifact
Artifact is a candle brand specializing in funky, abstract-shaped designs that blend artistry, function, and a modern twist on retro charm. Each piece is thoughtfully handcrafted, merging unique forms and vibrant color palettes to celebrate a spark of nostalgia. Drawing inspiration from playful vintage influences, our candles bring warmth, light, and touch of funk to everyday living.
Concept & Goals
Artifact is a candle brand offering funky, abstract-shaped candles with a modern twist. Inspired by vintage IKEA accessories, 1970s mid-century furniture, and nostalgic home décor, the brand blends sculptural form with bold, art-forward packaging. The goal is to create high-quality, collectible candles that double as statement pieces, sparking self-expression, evoking memories, and adding a playful yet elegant touch to any space.
Brand Identity & Packaging
The brand identity centers around bold, abstract silhouettes paired with a clean, confident logotype. Shapes are inspired by both the candle forms and mid-century modern furniture profiles, creating a visual language that feels equally retro and contemporary. Each scent is expressed through its own unique silhouette and color palette, making the line visually cohesive while giving every product a distinct personality.
The packaging system was designed to highlight the sculptural nature of the candles. The front panels are kept minimal, featuring a large silhouette and scent name for instant recognition. Side panels include scent descriptions, brand copy, and supporting design elements without overcrowding the layout. Strong, geometric letterforms are paired with subtle secondary type to create a balance of impact and clarity.
Logo Ideation
Concept 01
Concept 02
Concept 03
Final Design
Package Design Timeline
Stage 01
Initial concept sketches were created in Adobe Photoshop. All three candles began in a uniform 1x1 box format, paired with an electric color palette. I started figuring out what color candles I wanted to pair together rather than the scents. I played along with primary colors and chose combinations of blue, yellow/green and red. Initially, they are called Blue Horizon, Spring Spritz and Rubywood but they go on to change slightly for the final design.
Stage 02
Peer feedback suggested a shift toward a calmer, more refined approach. I leaned into tactility and organicism by incorporating rough ink bleeds and pairing them with minimal, clean typography.
Stage 03
After more feedback, I started tweaking the box sizes. At this point, I was beginning to get a feel for how to mix different textures. I also played around with the text and extra info for the packaging, trying out soft colors next to brighter ones to see what worked best.
Stage 04
At this stage, I’m moving into the pre-final designs where I begin adding details tailored to each piece and giving them their own personality. The candle shapes have been cleaned up, but they’re still a bit off and not quite meshing with the box design in terms of text, colors, and other elements.
Stage 05 (Final)
For the final design, I found that adding subtle gradients across the panels helped break up the flatness and bring in more depth. I also believe they helped add some movement to the boxes. I kept things cohesive by repeating a few key elements like the black silhouette of the candle while giving each one a flame with its own distinct style.
Outcome & Reflection
The Artifact candle brand has gone through a lot of changes, some big and some small, but the key has been continuously coming back to refine and seeing what needs solving again. The final outcome feels cohesive, with every element clearly considered and revised along the way. The color palette was something I wrestled with from the start, but I’m happy with where it landed with the balance of soft, calming tones with hints of the brighter, more electric colors from the early concepts. It was satisfying to rework those initial ideas rather than scrap them entirely.
