The cosmetic brand handy lab. continues its philosophy of supporting young talents, enabling them to gain experience and opening doors to the job market. The result of several months of cooperation with students from the School of Form at SWPS University are the packages for the brand's two new products – hand masks in gloves, which appeared in the spring new arrivals offer. The designs chosen for implementation were from a group consisting of: Elżbieta Roman, Anastasiia Bazhanska, and Joanna Kułakowska. The packaging series is a response to the slogan "Warsaw, the capital of fashion." To illustrate the stylistic diversity of Warsaw, the authors chose the collage form. Their Warsaw woman is a multifaceted person, drawing from history, but also inspired by the changing reality. This project emphasizes the mission of handy lab. – not only to provide innovative care products, but also to actively support education, art, and the development of young talents.
From its very beginning, handy lab. has focused not only on an innovative approach to skincare, but also to packaging design and supporting creative individuals who bring a fresh perspective to the product. On the handy lab. hand mask packages, which have been available for 3 years, there are already small works of art – these are drawings by Monika Libelula, a Polish painter whose hand-sketched hands adorn the product packaging.
Thanks to the cooperation with USWPS students, the brand not only realizes its artistic values but also enables young designers to gain experience working on real projects during their studies and allows them to leave university with a portfolio for the commercial market. The brand believes that investing in young designers is not only an opportunity to create unique packaging but also a real chance for young people's career development. By participating in the project, students gain not only experience but also the opportunity to see their work widely, including on store shelves in one of the largest drugstore chains in Poland.
“This is a unique moment for us – we are not only introducing new products but also fulfilling our philosophy of supporting young talents. Working with students is a very inspiring experience for me. SWPS University students had a choice of interpreting the theme around Emotions or Fashion Capitals of the World. They put enormous commitment into this task, and the results of their work exceeded our expectations. Choosing the two final projects was extremely difficult, as each of them carried unique artistic value and interpretation of the theme. The packaging of the new masks is the result of our shared several months of work, their passion, and creativity in design. I thank USWPS for their commitment and trust, and I invite you to the exhibition of these extraordinary works, which will be available throughout March 2025 in the VARSO TOWER building in Warsaw,” says Iwona Wójcik, founder of handy lab.
“The project carried out in cooperation with the cosmetic brand handy lab. is a good example of combining design education with professional practice. Within its framework, students had the opportunity to design packaging for new hand masks. I am proud of the students that they effectively interpreted the themes proposed by handy lab. during the classes and were not afraid to propose bold solutions. Working on a real brief was a valuable experience, during which we learned not only to research client needs but also to persuade them to accept the developed designs. Combining one's own inspirations with market requirements was an important lesson in working in the design industry. I think that the students gained many valuable tips from it,” emphasizes Bartosz Grześkowiak, graphic designer, lecturer at the School of Form of SWPS University.
During the exhibition at VARSO TOWER, not only the winning projects were presented, but also those created by other groups participating in the classes. As part of the "Fashion Capitals of the World" theme, in addition to Warsaw (in two different interpretations), Tokyo and London also served as inspiration for students of the School of Form USWPS. Groups working with the "Emotions" theme focused on the sense of touch and the emotions associated with it. So there will be talk of closeness, but also of touch as a way of exploring the world, for example, by people using Braille.
About handy lab. brand
handy lab. – is a cosmetic brand that has specialized in innovative hand care for three years. The brand's products have gained recognition for their high quality and unique approach to care and packaging design. handy lab. is also a brand that is involved in the development of young artists and designers, supporting their talents and opening doors to their careers.