HERA BLACK CUSHION MESH POWDER
Summary
HERA is a contemporary Seoul beauty brand founded in 1995. The beauty HERA pursues is born where innovative technology meets the modern sensibility of Seoul. From HERA’s iconic Black Cushion line comes an innovative new product that combines the benefits of a powder and a cushion. To embody this innovation, we developed a new design platform that reinterprets and expands the conventional cushion compact.
Its slim silhouette slips effortlessly into any bag or pouch, while the precisely sculpted radii of the upper and lower shells create a refined, flowing form. A matte metal body delivers a reassuring sense of weight and premium quality, and every detail—from the ring and logo to the way light catches and diffuses across their surfaces—has been meticulously considered. Every element, from tactile interaction to visual expression, has been carefully engineered with precision and refinement.
Its slim silhouette slips effortlessly into any bag or pouch, while the precisely sculpted radii of the upper and lower shells create a refined, flowing form. A matte metal body delivers a reassuring sense of weight and premium quality, and every detail—from the ring and logo to the way light catches and diffuses across their surfaces—has been meticulously considered. Every element, from tactile interaction to visual expression, has been carefully engineered with precision and refinement.
P Cushion Project
This project began with a product innovation that had not existed before: transforming powder into a cushion format.
As a new product that combines the soft, refined finish of powder with the convenience of a cushion, it required a design approach that went beyond the conventional structure and form of existing cushion compacts.
From a design perspective, there were two key missions.
The first was to create a slim cushion silhouette that could be carried effortlessly in a bag or pouch. The second was to establish a new cushion design platform unique to HERA—one that could expand beyond a single product into a wide range of materials, colors, and finishes in the future.
The P Cushion Project is a project that responds to product innovation by designing a new structure, while also building the identity and expandability of HERA’s future cushion design.
As a new product that combines the soft, refined finish of powder with the convenience of a cushion, it required a design approach that went beyond the conventional structure and form of existing cushion compacts.
From a design perspective, there were two key missions.
The first was to create a slim cushion silhouette that could be carried effortlessly in a bag or pouch. The second was to establish a new cushion design platform unique to HERA—one that could expand beyond a single product into a wide range of materials, colors, and finishes in the future.
The P Cushion Project is a project that responds to product innovation by designing a new structure, while also building the identity and expandability of HERA’s future cushion design.
We realized a slim form that slips effortlessly into a bag or pouch without adding bulk.
By removing unnecessary structural elements, we minimized the actual thickness of the compact. At the same time, the radii of the upper and lower shells were carefully sculpted to create a smooth, flowing curved silhouette. The ring structure that wraps around the upper and lower parts further extends this sense of curvature, while also creating the visual effect of an even slimmer profile. When held in the hand, the compact offers a stable size that fits comfortably within one hand, with a softly rounded form that naturally settles into the grip. Metal was applied to the upper and lower shells to add a reassuring sense of weight at the fingertips, along with the cool tactile sensation unique to metal. Even within its slim silhouette, the product was designed to feel more solid and premium in the hand, enhancing not only its visual completeness but also the sensory quality experienced directly by the user.
By removing unnecessary structural elements, we minimized the actual thickness of the compact. At the same time, the radii of the upper and lower shells were carefully sculpted to create a smooth, flowing curved silhouette. The ring structure that wraps around the upper and lower parts further extends this sense of curvature, while also creating the visual effect of an even slimmer profile. When held in the hand, the compact offers a stable size that fits comfortably within one hand, with a softly rounded form that naturally settles into the grip. Metal was applied to the upper and lower shells to add a reassuring sense of weight at the fingertips, along with the cool tactile sensation unique to metal. Even within its slim silhouette, the product was designed to feel more solid and premium in the hand, enhancing not only its visual completeness but also the sensory quality experienced directly by the user.
We carefully designed not only the tactile sensation of metal in the hand, but also the way light gathers and flows across the surface of the product.
The central symbol was precisely adjusted in height so that it would not interfere with the hand during use, while its subtle radii were meticulously refined to maintain a clear and distinctive presence. Glossy materials were applied to the central symbol and ring in contrast to the upper and lower shells, creating a variation in material expression and allowing light to naturally gather and flow across the surface. The matte metal surfaces of the upper and lower shells softly absorb light, while the glossy symbol and ring capture it more clearly, drawing the eye toward the center. By distinguishing between the areas where light collects and the areas where it gently diffuses, we created a sense of dimensional depth and refined luster within even the smallest details. Through this approach, the product’s presence was completed in a more premium and sensorial way.
The central symbol was precisely adjusted in height so that it would not interfere with the hand during use, while its subtle radii were meticulously refined to maintain a clear and distinctive presence. Glossy materials were applied to the central symbol and ring in contrast to the upper and lower shells, creating a variation in material expression and allowing light to naturally gather and flow across the surface. The matte metal surfaces of the upper and lower shells softly absorb light, while the glossy symbol and ring capture it more clearly, drawing the eye toward the center. By distinguishing between the areas where light collects and the areas where it gently diffuses, we created a sense of dimensional depth and refined luster within even the smallest details. Through this approach, the product’s presence was completed in a more premium and sensorial way.
Another key feature of this cushion design is that both the upper and lower shells were designed to allow for design variation.
While conventional cushion compacts typically use a nameplate-type structure that allows design changes mainly on the upper surface, this design expands the entire upper and lower shells into one integrated design area. This enables the application of a wide range of materials, including metal, fabric, and TPU, allowing design variations with entirely different moods depending on color, texture, and finish. Beyond simply changing graphics or colors, the structure was designed with expandability so that the tactile qualities of the material itself could become part of the design experience. As a result, the cushion can be reinterpreted as a new object across various types of projects, from seasonal collections and limited editions to brand collaborations.
While conventional cushion compacts typically use a nameplate-type structure that allows design changes mainly on the upper surface, this design expands the entire upper and lower shells into one integrated design area. This enables the application of a wide range of materials, including metal, fabric, and TPU, allowing design variations with entirely different moods depending on color, texture, and finish. Beyond simply changing graphics or colors, the structure was designed with expandability so that the tactile qualities of the material itself could become part of the design experience. As a result, the cushion can be reinterpreted as a new object across various types of projects, from seasonal collections and limited editions to brand collaborations.
The refill structure was also designed with a magnetic mechanism, allowing only the inner pan to be replaced with ease.
By keeping the case itself while continuously replacing only the contents, the product expands beyond a disposable item used once and discarded, becoming an object designed to be kept, refilled, and used repeatedly.
Through this approach, the design considers not only practical usability, but also collectability and sustainability.
By keeping the case itself while continuously replacing only the contents, the product expands beyond a disposable item used once and discarded, becoming an object designed to be kept, refilled, and used repeatedly.
Through this approach, the design considers not only practical usability, but also collectability and sustainability.
Black Mesh Cushion Powder expands beyond the conventional form of a cushion, becoming a collectible object with sculptural quality and an artistic sensibility.
Moving beyond cosmetics, it completes HERA’s own design platform—one that proposes not just a product, but a distinct sense of style.
- Amorepacific Creatives
- Product Design
- Kwon Jiyeon
- Creative Direction
- In Jeehyo
- BM
- Lee Yoonji
- Photography
- Shin Sangwoo
- Development
- Oh Hyungtaek
