A small ring given from parent to child. In the second part, we talk about the package that receives that ring. We aimed for a presence that gently brings family moments to life when held.
Filling it with the family's precious memories
While developing the baby ring design, we asked customers to fill out a questionnaire and heard many requests like, "It would be nice if the time of birth, height, and weight could be engraved." For the mother, these numbers are not just data but irreplaceable memories, and realizing that again was a valuable insight.
What we first considered was engraving the baby ring. The ring is very small, so there’s a limit to the number of characters it can hold. So we arrived at the idea of delivering a commemorative plate engraved with special numbers related to the baby, as a set with the ring. This marked the beginning of the original cobaco for baby plate.
We wanted it to be something that would more closely support the family's heart. With that in mind, we decided to add a single birthstone for the birth month. The form we were seeking slowly began to take shape.
Inspired by European crayon boxes
Next, the box to hold the baby ring.The hint came from European crayon boxes. The sliding lid is easy for children to open and has a certain innocent charm.
We chose paulownia wood for the material. It's resistant to temperature and humidity, has insect-repellent and antibacterial properties, and is even used to store umbilical cords, so it will protect this important keepsake alongside the family's time for years to come.
For the mount that holds the ring and plate, we used a raised-fiber paper called Oupe, made by planting rayon fibers into thick paper. It has a fluffy, pleasant feel, like touching a baby's cheek.
※From May 2021, we use a suede-like fabric with an even softer touch.
We tucked a message card beneath the mount. The illustration was created by the animation artist who worked on AC Japan's commercial "Kindness Spreads Through Imagination" and others—和田淳Created by . The baby's silhouette is shaped like cobaco's "c".
A message card where you can write the wishes placed in the baby ring and your feelings for your child. Someday when you read it again with your child, may the scenery and feelings of that time quietly come back to life.
Putting wishes into a chain of small rings
At last, the baby ring and mother ring were completed. The baby ring in the "dots" series is a design where small rings connect and are born. It carries a wish that family bonds and the life ahead will continue smoothly. The top holds a single birthstone approximately 2mm in diameter.
The mother ring was given substantial thickness and strength so it fits into daily life. To prevent nails from touching the child's skin when lifting them, we adopted a technique called "fusekomi." We wanted it to be something you can wear every day without feeling self-conscious, like a wedding band.
A design easy to give regardless of gender
After announcing the "dots" series, we wanted a design easy to give regardless of gender—that idea led to the "matte" series. It features a matte finish and flat form, creating a calm impression. While preserving the wish for the child's happiness, it offers a lineup that can support a wider variety of family stories.
Putting family bonds into one box
Example set of the "dots" series
Example set of the "matte" series (※This baby ring design is not currently for sale)
For the finishing touch, we wrap the paulownia box in decorative paper printed with a baby illustration and tie it with a ribbon for delivery.
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In this column we covered the behind-the-scenes of baby ring production across two parts: part one and part two.
From the time the baby ring is ordered, to the moment the package is opened, the time it is worn, and the day it is eventually handed down— we hope this will help weave many kinds of family bonds.
