Ocellus Package Design

Ocellus was an important project to me in redesigning makeup packaging. As a kid, I didn't like very "girly" things, but had a hard time finding my own style and growing into my femininity as a woman. Looking back, I think finding my place in gender norms would have been a lot easier if products weren't marketed to specific genders.

Much of the makeup you see on shelves is hyper sexualized or feminine with names like "Better Than Sex" mascara, "Cheek Thrills" blush, and "BADgal BANG!" mascara. These can be intimidating or isolating for folks who just want to express themselves in a non-sexual way or just want to be artistic with their makeup.

Given the freedom of designing a series of packaging for a fictional brand, I conceptualized "Ocellus." I wanted designs to be gender neutral and alternative. I have always loved scientific drawings of insects, especially beetles in their intricacy. When you crop in or blow up these drawings, they begin to look abstract and very artful.

I started with drawing out insects on paper, then taking them into Illustrator to make vectors. Then, I laid out makeup packages and made dielines to help me map out my Illustrator and InDesign files. Then, I wrote up the language to go onto the packages and made some drafts of the prints. However, I wanted to use a black background and white text, but the printers at Lehigh do not have white ink. So, I worked with the professional print lab, Mountain Hawk Printers, that supplies all the University's printing materials and they helped me make more professional final prints using white ink.

The additional challenge was the mascara palette, as I wanted that to have an engraved finish. I found cardboard mascara palettes that are both sustainable and easy to laser cut. I used several passes on the laser cutter and finished it with a matte black spray paint.

I am so proud of these designs and making something that I think I would have appreciated as a teenager finding her footing in the world.