TheDieline.com: The Leading Package Design Blog

Windset Farms

2008-07-24T06:28:18-07:00

I'm guessing most people don't think of beautifully packaged produce, because we're all so used to the piles we see in grocery stores and markets. That's why these colorful shippers by Windset Farms caught my eye.

Apparently I'm not the only one:

The Packaging Association of Canada (PAC) announces that Windset Farms wins Gold for best overall Brand Packaging. This is a tremendous honor for Windset Farms, and consumers have responded very positively to the new brand, a direction that is not traditionally seen within the produce sector.

With its strong and clear communication, Windset Farms produce continues to market extremely well, and retailers have been very enthusiastic about showcasing the innovative new packaging.

More photos behind the jump.

You can also see how nicely this design "stacks up."

Graphic Design by Kinky Logic Inc
Structural Design by Crown Creative Group

Snickers

2008-07-23T18:03:05-07:00

Above: regular Snickers trade dress. Below: Wal-Mart’s Soviet-style Snickers

My son recently alerted me to a stark new wrapper for Snickers that he found at a Wal-Mart in Tulsa. Not a full-fledged Snicker redesign, I don’t think. Apparently this version of Snickers is a Wal-Mart exclusive. Strikes a lot of people as sort of Soviet-looking. Any product with a single star has a way of doing that, intentionally or not. (See my post on Sappora beer.)

I'm thinking that what was intended here was maybe nothing more than a sort supplier’s homage to the single star in the old Wal-Mart logo. (Needless to say, the new Snickers bar wouldn’t look so Soviet if they had used the new Wal-Mart starburst symbol.)

Does anyone know the real story behind this pack?

Update: thanks to your knowledgeable comments, I now know the truth. It is indeed nostaligic packaging harking back to their original 1930’s wrapper. (The single star turns out to be from the original Mars logo.)

(Some photo evidence after the jump...)

Top: a 1958 candy box from ebay; Center: a model train car, reflecting early snickers advertising; Lower left: orginal 5¢ Snickers from the Mars web site; Lower right: photo and logo from a 1949 Candy Salesman’s book found on writer/illustrator, Dan Goodsell's The Imaginary World site.

box vox

Coca-Cola 2L Contour Bottle

2008-07-23T09:48:04-07:00

Coca-Cola North America announced the pilot of its signature contour bottle in a convenient two-liter size, in Birmingham and Chattanooga. The new two-liter form of Coca-Cola's iconic package was preferred over the straight wall two-liter bottle overwhelmingly in recent consumer tests, and offers a significant advantage for consumers beyond its classic good looks -- it is also easier to hold and easier to pour. Research conducted by Coca-Cola with consumers suggests that the two-liter contour package has the potential to re-energize sales.

Nearly 92 years after its creation, the contour bottle remains a symbol of innovation, instantly differentiating the world's best known sparkling beverage from all other products. Widely recognized as a pioneering example of package-driven branding, the contour bottle is one of the few packages to ever receive a trademark from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

Brew Dog Beer

2008-07-22T10:06:58-07:00

Brew Dog beers are Scottish beers which combines all that is good about Scotland: whisky and beer. Their beers mature in the casks that once housed some of the most prestigious whiskies available today.
Their packs speaks about genuineness and home made products. The wore out lettering conveys a sense of tradition to the whole product and the presence f just one color make me think about hand made labels that my mother makes for jams.

After the jump, other pics and a special edition.

ABSOLUT Masquerade

2008-07-22T09:48:37-07:00

"Last year’s award-winning ABSOLUT DISCO sold 2.9 million packages and raises the expectations among consumers for the new gift pack from ABSOLUT, the leading international premium vodka. They will not be disappointed: Made from soft and shiny red spangles, and with a zipper on the back, the latest holiday gift pack from ABSOLUT really stands out and inspires consumers to join the glamorous masquerade.

“Our new gift pack builds on the legendary ABSOLUT history of creative and groundbreaking bottle and package design”, says Katarina Nielsen, International Marketing Director, V&S Absolut Spirits. “We are confident that the new design will be just as much appreciated as its predecessors, ABSOLUT BLING BLING and ABSOLUT DISCO.”

When opening the new gift pack, the zipper slides apart, revealing the classic ABSOLUT VODKA bottle. The one-liter gift pack is built of exactly 3,238 shiny red spangles in the shape of a classic ABSOLUT bottle, serving as an ultra-stylish package.

With the new gift pack, people do not need an invitation to dress up for a party. ABSOLUT is taking masquerade into the modern era, where the possibilities of being yourself and expressing your personality are more important than ever. The red, shiny bottle will be the perfect present for the upcoming holiday season and be the center piece of any party.

“We have extended the concept of what a gift pack can offer the consumers, and we hope it will inspire people to embrace the glamorous side of themselves by turning an ordinary night into a masquerade”, says Katarina Nielsen. "

More pics after the jump!

Creative Dieline: Moet Champagne

2008-07-22T08:17:26-07:00

moet mini rose packaging, via flickr.

I came across this amazing dieline structure from Moet & Chandon Champagne of France. The structure folds completely flat, yet when assembled, it has multi-dimensional curves. I don't know if this dieline is patented (some dielines are under patent or patent pending) so I'm not advocating to copy this, but you can certainly gain appreciation for the design of a multi-dimensional curved folding box.

Here is a link to the flat dieline: Moet Dieline

Lavanila

2008-07-22T05:28:43-07:00

This line of beauty care products caught my eye in Package Design Magazine's 2007 Awards issue. I love the upbeat color palette, which easily differentiates the scents, as well as the elegant textures (both printed and die-cut) which hold the line together across the various products. I find this design to be very premium and yet approachable at the same time.

According to their Web site, Lavanila Laboratories offers these "natural products at the forefront of innovation in technology, actives, and formulation." They feature "alluring scents, luxurious product textures, and engaging packaging that soothe the soul and enhance what you love about the beauty experience."

In Package Design Mag, the Utah Paper Box Company is credited with the design of the boxes:

This package with intricate die-cuts uses laser technology and specialty coatings to achieve its strong shelf impact. Three PMS colors with specialty intrigue coating give the essence of each fragrance, and the laser cut sleeve draws consumers attention to the elegant foil stamp that reveals the brand name. The internal filler is also made out of micro flute.

I sent an email to Lavanila to confirm and find out who designed the rest of the line, but no response yet. If anyone knows, do tell!

Brand Spotlight: Joya

2008-07-22T00:28:15-07:00

Joya is a boutique home fragrance brand based in New York City. The line was founded by a young Yale grad, Frederick Bouchardy, 4 years ago. He continues to creative direct and works with local designers and close friends.

Joya focuses on fusing natural materials, stylish and unexpected fragrance blends, and innovative package design. There are numerous collections within the Joya brand-intended to cater to different audiences-but the common link is attention to detail and clean, appealing, functional design intended to enhance the experience of opening the product.

Earlier collections were designed in house (by Bouchardy and design partner, Julia Kots, who have since managed other design projects under the name Felis Rufus Design.

The Joya Original collection utilizes an unusual, all-natural tropical palm oil wax and is the first scented candle to be offered at the MoMA Design Stores. The Joya Original gift box features a 2 piece folding carton held in place by an elastic cord. This box was designed with Susan Scior, who also did industrial design on Joya's Plume box, which opens from both sides and features a rigid e-flute tray inside.

This tray keeps the sensuous, curved, acid-etched and screenprinted candle within safe-and it bears a spot pms color representing the fragrance blend and romantic copy describing the scent origins.

Joya's Luscious collection features packaging once again by Felis Rufus Design. The lace print, which adorns the outer packaging for the assorted mini-votive gift set (matchbox style) and tumbler and is screenprinted onto the tumbler glass, was created by hand by Ms. Kots. The Joya PM collection uses vintage textile prints, reinvented by Design Studio 21 in New York City, to decorate the oversized glass container and matching, tonal gift box.

Perfume in Porcelain, Joya's newest collection, which launched at Barneys in December 2007 and has since been making its way to exclusive apothecaries and specialty stores worldwide, represents a collaboration between Bouchardy and longtime friend, Sarah Cihat, a Brooklyn-based ceramic artist best known for her line of Rehabilitated Dishware. Perfume in Porcelain features 6 unusual fragrance blends (including Himalayan Goji Berry and Gunpowder Green Tea) in original, faceted porcelain containers. 3 are in white with gray motifs fired on by hand, and 3 are black porcelain with black motifs. The motifs, including a moth, octopus, dandelion, peacock, and skull with swords, each represent a specific scent. Bouchardy and Cihat collaborated on each aspect of the project-fragrance, secondary package (porcelain) design, outer packaging (distinctive rigid boxes with striking modern gothic illustrations in relief). These pieces are offered as scented candles or fragrance diffuser sets, and each piece is unique.

Joya has also produced collections in partnership with Opening Ceremony, Rodarte, and Baxter of California. Bouchardy has unique line extensions up his sleeve for next spring and additional partnerships slated to launch for holiday 2008.

Before & After: Ethos Water

2008-07-20T22:08:29-07:00

Before:

Ethos water has recently redesigned their packaging. It seems that they now come in three different size bottles. I am assuming that is what prompted the redesign, but if anyone knows for sure please comment! Take a look at the new design after the jump!

After:

image via Flickr

Lazy Days Tea Co

2008-07-20T20:54:02-07:00

Lazy Days Tea Co is a new packaging and branding identity designed by Baer Design Group. Designers: Todd Baer, Dave Seidler, Copywriter: Melissa Lane.

"With an armful of crazy tea blends and a vision to be "The Ben & Jerry's of Tea," Lazy Days Tea Company approached us to create their brand.

After listening carefully to exactly how they wanted to stand apart from other teas, we created a full-package brand-identity that illuminated their vision.

We designed the logo, packaging and support materials with a fresh, hip, and irreverent aesthetic. We created copy to match: flavor names that dodged the stuffy, old "Quietly Chamomile" standards and an intelligent, conversational tone to all the copy.

Lazy Day Tea Company (www.lazydaystea.com) wanted to hit the market with attitude, sass and a message that tea did not have to adhere to the boring mainstays of its peers - and that's exactly what we equipped them with."