Dish Draw Designer lends hand in Skincare Design

11 February 2011

From Dish draw to Phil and Ted buggies to skincare bottles, Phil Brace has lent a hand to Waikato company - mahu with their unique, design led packaging.

“mahu has always been about good design, both in the way the product is presented as well as the way it functions. We wanted and needed it to stand out in the crowded baby category, and so the design of mahu was critical” states Kathryn Fromont, director of mahu skincare.

Fromont came upon the idea of mahu back in 2007 after working with women as a midwife. She had a great knowledge of pregnancy and baby, but very little design knowledge. That was where Phil and Ted’s Campbell Gower stepped in and offered their expertise to the fledgling company.

Gower says his partnership with small businesses enables him to pass on knowledge and share in the success of his co-owners, while his business partners get a vital leg up from the world class branding and design expertise that Phil and Teds has been known for.

Glower identified that mahu was well positioned in the market, but there was a need for branding, packaging and design to compliment the product. So up stepped Phil, originally an industrial designer for Fisher and Paykel, he developed the famous Dish Draw and was later employed by Phil and Teds.

“mahu presented a challenge for him, however the key elements were the same – form and function. It needed to look great on the bathroom shelf, while still being highly practical.” Says Fromont.

The result of Phil’s work is a belly like bottle reminiscent of a pregnant belly with ribs. “It is a tactile bottle inviting you to touch it” states Fromont, “skincare, mother and baby are about touch and so that element needed to be incorporated into the bottle.

The bottles are also fully recyclable and eco-friendly in line with their environmental beliefs as a company.

Having recently been nominated in the inaugural OHbaby awards for outstanding New Zealand baby products for 2011, the awards recognise and appreciate that there are many products and services available to New Zealand parents, while awarding those of the highest quality. mahu looks forward to hearing whether their uniquely designed skincare wins gold!

ENDS

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