Maxwell Holmes Special Edition Cigar Box
Even with advances in modern technology, the creation of a phenomenal cigar takes time, attention to detail and an exceptional amount of craft. When approaching this project, I set out to design a box that reflects the care and quality of the special edition cigars it contains.
I began by sketching the entire design by hand, and then refined the illustration and type digitally. The filigree was inspired by 1870’s Romanticism (the decade when Maxwell Holmes first began crafting their cigars). I chose to pair it with adapted, early century letterforms.
I created the monogram seal as a standalone design element that could appear in other applications, such as the stickers on the cigars themselves. Even in its concise form, the mark reflects the delicate attention given to every Maxwell Holmes cigar.
I was able to achieve an incredible level of detail in my design by laser etching it into a solid birch box. The box was then primed and stained to acquire a warm rich color.
As a final touch, I highlighted the brand name by gold leafing the letterforms by hand. The resulting box embodied the elevated luxury of Maxwell Holmes cigars.
