The new Poland Spring design reminds me of when I was a kid and I used to ride the log flume at the amusement park. I also reminds me of my friend who used to laugh really hard when we landed and always pee’ed his pants. Perhaps that makes lemon flavored water apropos…
Archive for the ‘Design’ Category
Someone Needs a Packaging Update…
In Branding, Design, Packaging, Uncategorized on July 7, 2008 at 9:53 am
…as seen today at Duane Reade. Remember when VO5 was a cool, upscale product? After seeing this packaging I don’t either…
Beautiful Russia
In communications, culture, Design, photo, trends on April 16, 2008 at 5:34 am
By accounts of the designers and artists that I spoke with in Moscow, the culture of design and art there is going through a renaissance. Ten years ago it was about mimicking the design language of the West. Then there was a period of transition. The Russian artists of today speak with great excitement about the new opportunities they have to create a whole new design language for the country and to generate pride in the design coming out of the the Russian Federation.
I was fortunate to be in Moscow for the wonderful and amazing photography show. The images were really quite nice but I was particularly struck by a short video by the 25-year-old director Natasha Pavlovskaya. It captured the intersection of photography and video in a way that reminded us photographers that sometimes no image is more powerful than the next and that it is the moment that should be preserved.
I can’t find a postable version of the film but I’ve linked to it here. I encourage you to check it out as it does a great job of capturing the mood, movement and moment of a forgotten Russian print house and those who work there.
A Breath of Fresh Air
In Branding, Brands, Consumers, Design, innovation, marketing, strategy on April 15, 2008 at 12:26 am
Going to the moon? In Russia you can now buy pre-packaged oxygen in phallic containers at your local design bookstore. While oxygen bars came and went in the US this new product bets that Russians are looking for oxygen and that it is best when it is portable.
What Happened to American Design?
In communications, culture, Design on March 4, 2008 at 12:32 pmFirst of all, I need someone to do a voiceover for my life. Everything just seems that much more important and dramatic when told by a booming voice over a subtle soundtrack. Secondly, whatever happened to “American Design?” Does the term still exist in any form outside the walls of Chevrolet? As we’ve all become citizens of the world and extra-American products are considered better, is there still a core aesthetic, and if so what is it?
San Pellegrino Package Design
In Brands, Design, innovation on February 15, 2008 at 3:09 pm
When I was last in Italy I managed to take a bad picture of a good package redesign. San Pellegrino accomplished a couple of things with this one.
In retail shops that have a cooler under the bar the packaging is gorgeous and looks like it does in the picture. By branding the top of the can it is easier to see and identify when the product is laying on its side, and actually makes it your first choice since it is the product that you see first. To see other options you have to crouch down to look in the cooler.
Secondly, the top metal seal pulls off to reveal a normal ring tab which successfully makes the whole product feel fresher and more juice-like instead of like flavored water.
Not sure of the design agency on this one, but I do like the work.
Putting It On Paper
In communications, Design on February 7, 2008 at 9:35 am
I became a big fan of Wil Freeborn after discovering his work a couple of months ago. His images remind me of dreams I’ve had where images are frozen in my mind yet full of life, like a game of Jumanji minus Robin Williams. That’s a long-winded way of saying I like them.
You can check out more over drawings at his site, ghostschool.
Chip Kidd is a Punk…
In Design, innovation, marketing, trends, Uncategorized on January 24, 2008 at 10:40 am…and I mean that in the best possible way. He has a reputation as a rebel in the book cover design industry, and in doing so has been shaking up what we expect, ruffling some feathers and achieving fame in the process. (If only the rest of us could do it with such style…) Last week he was a guest on my colleague Debbie Millman’s radio show Design Matters and this week I’m pointing you over to DoorSixteen for a thoughtful write-up from a book designer about Chip’s attitude and practices as well as pictures of his well-appointed home.
Mapping Our World
In Design on January 23, 2008 at 5:53 pm
This American Life with Ira Glass did a radio show on maps awhile back as well as a related show on getting lost, both of which served to underline just how many different types of maps there are in the world. They run the gamut from the weather map in the local paper to maps of deep sea fish hatcheries and to maps of lampposts in a given neighborhood.
Maps aren’t all uniformly beautiful, but some are absolutely stunning and remind us consultant types that PowerPoint is woefully ill-equipped to convey beauty.
Hat tip to Violet Tiger who has more incredible maps over on her site.
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