Zhanlu Tea
Brand Design for Xi'an Academy of Fine Arts
Zhanlu is inspired by the philosophy of light nourishment and the symbolic purity of morning dew, representing freshness, balance, and quiet resilience. Developed for the Mausoleum of the Yellow Emperor, it embodies respect for cultural heritage and natural harmony. The formula combines monk fruit, licorice, ophiopogon, raspberry, and Solomons seal, following the traditional principle that sour and sweet together help generate moisture and restore internal equilibrium. Carefully balanced in flavor and function, the tea presents a mild sweetness with a soft herbal fragrance.
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Zhanlu Tea by Ma Lan
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Brand Design by Ma Lan
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Ma Lan Zhanlu Tea
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Ma Lan Brand Design
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Unique Properties
Zhanlu is inspired by the idea of light nourishment and the purity of morning dew. Created for the Mausoleum of the Yellow Emperor, it blends monk fruit, licorice, ophiopogon, raspberry, and Solomons seal, following the traditional principle that sour and sweet together help generate moisture. Warm, gentle, and balanced, it offers visitors a moment of natural comfort and a quiet connection to ancient wisdom.
Tags
Light Nourishment, Herbal Tea, Moisturizing Formula, Brand Design
Production Technology
Zhanlu is made with selected herbs that are cleaned, low temperature dried, and finely cut to preserve aroma and quality. The blend is packed into 5 g food grade tea bags and sealed in moisture proof sachets. Cartons and rigid gift boxes use coated paperboard with offset printing and hot stamping to present refined Han inspired graphics.
Design Challenge
The challenge was translating traditional wellness philosophy into a contemporary product without losing cultural depth. Rooted in classical theory, the concept had to remain clear and appealing to modern users. The key was balancing herbal efficacy, taste, symbolism, and packaging in one refined and coherent design.
Project Duration
The project was completed on February 18, 2026. The client is based in the Yangtze River Delta region of China. Concept development, herbal formulation research, and packaging design were carried out in Xian, Shaanxi Province, China. The project integrates regional cultural resources with contemporary design practice, bridging eastern market demand and northwestern cultural heritage context.
Operation Flow
Open the outer carton or gift box and remove one individually sealed sachet. Tear open the moisture proof wrapper and place one 5 g tea bag into a cup. Add approximately 250 to 300 ml of hot water and steep for 3 to 5 minutes. The tea gradually releases a gentle sweetness and light herbal aroma. After touring the mausoleum, visitors hold the warm cup, pause, and sip slowly. The interaction is simple and intuitive, open, brew, inhale, taste, creating a quiet ritual that connects body, breath, and cultural memory in a brief moment of nourishment.
Research
This project explores how traditional Chinese wellness philosophy can be translated into contemporary cultural product design. Based on the principle that sour and sweet flavors generate moisture, the formula blends monk fruit, licorice, polygonatum, ophiopogon, and raspberry to support gentle hydration. Inspired by classical poetry and Han aesthetics, the packaging reinterprets traditional symbolism in a modern tea product, linking heritage, health, and mindful self care.
Inspiration
The inspiration for Zhanlu comes from the image of morning dew in ancient Chinese poetry, pure, quiet, and life giving. It draws from the sacred atmosphere of the Mausoleum of the Yellow Emperor, especially the ancient cypress trees that have endured for millennia. The concept of light nourishment and the traditional principle that sour and sweet create moisture shaped the formula, expressing harmony between nature, heritage, and gentle self care.
Image Credits
Image #1: Designers Ma Lan and Tang Guangyi (Product Designer / Visual Designer), Zhanlu Sweet and Moisturizing Tea Main Packaging, 2026. Image #2: Designers Wang Yinghua, Jinyuan Zhang, Shunfeng Zhang and Huang Wanhui (Illustrator / Graphic Designer), Botanical and Han Inspired Illustration Series, 2026. Image #3: Designers Xu Lianfa and Tang Guangyi (Packaging Engineer / Visual Designer), Light Luxury Gift Box Structure and Visual System, 2026. Image #4: Designers Ma Lan, Wang Yinghua and Huang Wanhui (Product Designer / Illustrator / Graphic Designer), Ingredient Visualization and Cultural Motif Development, 2026. Image #5: Designers Ma Lan, Tang Guangyi, Xu Lianfa and Zhifei Fu (Product Designer / Visual Designer / Packaging Engineer / Design Coordination), Integrated Packaging and Structural Realization, 2026.
Project Overview
Zhanlu Tea Brand Design has been a Bronze winner in the Graphics, Illustration and Visual Communication Design award category in the year 2025 organized by the prestigious A' Design Award & Competition. The Bronze A' Design Award is given to outstanding designs that showcase a high degree of creativity and practicality. It recognizes the dedication and skill of designers who produce work that stands out for its thoughtful development and innovative use of materials and technology. These designs are acknowledged for their professional execution and potential to influence industry standards positively. Winning this award highlights the designer's ability to blend form and function effectively, offering solutions that enhance people's lives and wellbeing.
Bronze Recognition
Ma Lan was recognized with the coveted Bronze A' Design Award in 2026, a testament to excellence of their work Zhanlu Tea Brand Design.
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