Clever design seldom comes cheap. So at R11.50 each, a locally conceived and produced water bottle in the shape of a hip flask and bearing the limited-edition etchings of independent designers is the proverbial steal."It's Not Made in China" is a small Durban-based bottled water brand. Co-owner Tracy Ruggier, who founded the venture with business partner Byron Raglan-Smith, says their products are centred on the idea of producing and buying local."I chose the name as a way to express my dislike of the fact that so many things have a 'Made in China' label," says Ruggier."I've been concerned about the influx of Chinese products pouring into our country - it's bad for a few reasons. It increases unemployment. It also contributes to diminishing skills. It adds to global warming due to shipping and it provides a mass-produced, usually cheaper and inferior, product."Spurred on by the idea that many consumers buy local products when the price is right, Ruggier decided to start a water bottling company.It's Not Made in China sources and filters its water locally, produces its packaging locally, and recruits local designers for its branding, in the form of a series of quirky, illustrated characters."We wanted to sell a bottle that people would be happy to carry around with them and hopefully reuse instead of throwing away. One restaurant and bar we supply has actually done that. They display their collection of our range in their bar."Our newest bottle is a hip flask and ... is proving a design object that people want to hold on to rather than throw away."The works of artists Paige Bates, Mario Henrique Nobrega, Buyani Duma and Joshua Brimble have featured on the bottles.Ruggier has a background in branding, trend forecasting and youth marketing."In the past when I was involved in youth marketing I worked with artists and illustrators and I know how difficult it is for them to promote themselves."I realised that I had an opportunity to create mutually beneficial relationships. And I realised that our bottles could be a way for young artists to promote themselves, so we include the illustrators' names on the bottle."The brand's products are now available in Johannesburg. For more information go to www.itsnotmadeinchina.co.za..