Bookworm’s Book Club Prep Kit is a hypothetical seven-part kit designed for the most “sinful” of book clubs.

To tie the idea of immorality to literature, the concept of these designs centers around the literary function of doppelgängers. While a doppelgänger has a similar external appearance to their counterpart, they often exist to lead them morally astray. In the context of this hypothetical book club, I felt this was fitting for a group of unwilling or status-seeking members. As such, each item in the kit is tied to one of the seven cardinal sins (as they relate to book club-going), as well as to a famous literary doppelgänger that represents said sin. The function of the item and its connection to the related doppelgänger are explained on the packaging using playful copy that pokes fun at the reader.

All imagery takes on an engraving style to match the literary theme, including the depictions of the doppelgängers themselves. The packages are split into black and pink panels, further representing the duality of the two personalities. The doppelgänger engravings sit atop intricate patterns so that they are nearly obscured, representing the insidious nature of their existence.

This project features various packaging formats including custom-made clamshell boxes for perfume bottles and gavels, a carousel-type display case for a set of cheese knives, a carrying case for wine glasses, and two custom lidded-boxes for a packet of sweets and a pair of spectacles. These products were assembled with laser-cut wood pieces and paint. Labels were printed on adhesive vinyl stickers.