Additiva

Italian Additiva Desktop Mobile Phone Holder & Presentation Box

Overview

Additiva, based in Moderna, Italy, manufactures metal parts using the most advanced Additive manufacturing technologies, supporting customers from design through to production.

For this project, the client wanted an eye-catching and memorable object to present to their top-tier automotive manufacturing clients following routine meetings. The aim was to leave behind a premium desk accessory that would act as a daily reminder of the Additiva brand. The challenge was to design something useful and elegant that reflected the precision engineering associated with ultra-luxury automotive manufacturing.

The Brief

The objective was to design a practical desktop object that recipients would use every day while working at their desks. The Brand Boxes creative team developed an ergonomically styled desktop mobile phone holder whose sleek form reflected the aesthetics of high-performance engineering while maintaining simplicity and usability.

Although Additiva specialises in producing metal components, the company did not have the production capacity or timeline to manufacture the holder internally. Brand Boxes therefore visualised the concept, designed the product, developed the presentation packaging and produced the finished pieces.

The phone holder was manufactured from silver brushed metallic-effect acrylic, giving it a modern industrial appearance reminiscent of precision-engineered metal components. To enhance the presentation, the holder was supplied in a corrugated cardboard clamshell box printed in Additiva’s corporate colours, creating a memorable unboxing experience that revealed the desktop phone holder as the centrepiece.

KEY INSPIRATION

The design language of the phone holder and packaging drew inspiration from the world of high-performance automotive engineering. Manufacturers such as Ferrari and Lamborghini represent the pinnacle of high-performance engineering, exclusive craftsmanship and low-volume, high-value production. These exotic automotive brands embody precision, innovation and design excellence—qualities that Additiva wanted reflected in the gift presented to their clients.

CHALLENGES

Several production challenges emerged during development. One of the main difficulties was sourcing and moulding acrylic into an ergonomic design that required the least possible number of connecting parts while minimising the use of adhesives. Achieving the desired sculptural form while maintaining strength required careful material selection and fabrication.

Another issue arose with the four-colour printed Additiva logo applied to the front cradle of the phone holder. Due to the printing process used on the acrylic surface, the finish appeared slightly stippled rather than completely smooth. In hindsight, a laser-engraved logo would likely have produced a cleaner and more premium result.

Lessons Learnt

The project reinforced the importance of understanding the deeper requirements and aspirations of the client. While the acrylic material met the required aesthetic and timeline, it was ultimately a substitute for what might ideally have been a polished metal component more closely aligned with Additiva’s manufacturing expertise.

It also highlighted the client’s view of the packaging. The box was seen primarily as a presentation vehicle rather than a keepsake item. The focus remained firmly on the desktop phone holder as the hero object rather than on the packaging as a collectable bundle.

THE BOX

The presentation box was constructed from EE flute white clay-coated corrugated cardboard, chosen for its balance of strength and print quality. It was printed inside and out using four-colour process printing to create a fully branded experience.

The inside lid carried a marketing message, contact details and an image of an F1 car sourced from the Additiva website, reinforcing the brand’s association with high-performance engineering. An initial short run of five units was produced for presentation to selected clients.

THE OUTCOME

The result was an ergonomically designed acrylic desktop mobile phone holder presented inside a fully branded clamshell corrugated box. The finished piece delivered a practical everyday desk accessory and a distinctive reminder of the Additiva brand, demonstrating how thoughtful design and presentation packaging can transform a simple object into a powerful brand communication tool.