The Aesthetic Morphology of Illustrations and Color Schemes on Vintage Brewed Tea Packaging in West, Central, and East Java
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.21512/ijvcdc.v5i2.16424Keywords:
aesthetic morphology, color scheme, illustration, tea packaging designAbstract
Tea is a beverage deeply embedded in the everyday life of Javanese society, where patterns of consumption exhibit distinct cultural characteristics across regions. The long history of tea since the Dutch East Indies colonial period has significantly shaped the development of the industry and the visual characteristics of product packaging that persist to the present. This study aims to examine the aesthetic morphology of illustration and color schemes in vintage-style brewed tea packaging designs from West Java, Central Java, and East Java. Employing a qualitative descriptive approach, the research adopts Thomas Munro’s aesthetic morphology theory as an analytical framework to systematically and objectively investigate form, style, expression, and the interrelations of visual elements in twelve traditional Javanese tea packages: Teh Upet and Teh Impala from Cirebon, Teh Gopek and Teh Cap Botol from Slawi, Teh Tjatoet and Teh Poci from Tegal, Teh Nyapu and Teh Sintren from Pekalongan, Teh Kepala Djenggot and Teh Gardoe from Karanganyar (near Surakarta),Teh Cap Buah Soklat from Batang, and Teh Cap Naga from Malang. Data were collected through visual documentation, direct observation, and literature review, and subsequently analyzed in terms of illustration, composition, and color scheme. The findings indicate that, across the dimensions of form, style, and expression, the illustrations and color schemes of vintage Javanese tea packaging demonstrate a well-developed, contextualized, and effective visual strategy. These designs construct a strong commercial identity rooted in local cultural values while remaining responsive to market dynamics.
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