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Buttons from Soviet milk caps

Longread translated automatically

i. Project Goal and Mission The goal is to create a series of buttons based on the theme «kolkhoz» (collective farm). I interpreted the theme literally and, in the search for inspiration, shifted my focus to the collective farms of the USSR era. There, I felt the spirit of DIY, repurposing, and the resourcefulness of the Soviet people (Russian ingenuity). These aspects are what the series must reflect.

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ii. Visualization of Buttons The design draws inspiration from the packaging of Soviet milk products. According to the project’s legend, a resourceful peasant adapted the milk caps as ornamentation, reflecting a love for the achievements of the national economy and a belief in the coming world communism.

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iii. Outcome A series of three buttons referencing the theme of the collective farm (kolkhoz) and evoking Russian ingenuity. Thanks to modern metals, the color and plastic solutions of the caps look more appealing. The practical benefit of the project is a reminder of the importance of small details in Soviet design. Its functionality was often hidden in the details: when glass bottles had an identical shape, the color-coding of the caps allowed them to be instantly distinguished by their contents, ultimately creating a unique and recognizable style.

*Coordination with HSE on the project was absent

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