Package Design
I'm a graphic designer and a firm believer that (with certain exceptions) the quality of package design should reflect the quality of the product. This is especially true with food. I feel I can trust a product if the company, person, etc has taken the time to put some care into the presentation and experience. For instance, Archer Farms, Tazo and Back to Nature have different approaches to their packaging, but they're all highly engaging. As opposed to something like Great Value. Elements like color and texture in design can really make or break that appeal and get your senses going.
What brands do this for you?
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26 Comments:
i misread the title of this thread. i thought we were going to talk about "pancake design."
kristin314 at 1:55PM on 09/04/09
wine bottles tend to grab my attention, but are in no way an indication of it's quallity. i've learned that the hard way-ha.
personally, i think we should talk about pancake design instead-lol.
(my mom always used to make me mickey mouse shaped ones)
gastronomeg at 2:19PM on 09/04/09
my mom really likes the curvy shape and the flip-top spout of the coffee-mate liquid creamer bottles. She thinks its really creative.
engmcmuffin at 2:42PM on 09/04/09
Maybe we can meet in the middle and talk about pancake package design? Bisquick... I'm not a fan.
Phylum at 3:05PM on 09/04/09
Yeah, the Coffee-Mate bottles are nice. I'm waiting for the Pumpkin Spice to come back.
Phylum at 3:07PM on 09/04/09
I don't like "hard" angular letters on labels. I prefer rounded letters, they don't seem as "angry."
I detest the color blue so I'd likely hesitate before picking up a can of anything with a blue label if I'm unfamiliar with the product. If I have experience with a product whose packaging is blue, I see right past the blue. (i.e. Barilla pasta.)
How's this for what NOT to do with food packaging. I dare you to click on this site and NOT continue scrolling down.
therealchiffonade at 3:18PM on 09/04/09
Package designer here!
I work in food labelling, natural health products, drugs and medical devices and supplements.
the science of it all is extremely facinating~!
@Phylum: I've got some fun resources if you like:
Thedieline.com rules. Very welldone collaborations with excellent criticism and case studies. The Dieline is dedicated to the progress of the package design industry and its practitioners, students and enthusiasts. Its purpose is to define and promote the world’s best examples of packaging, and provide a place where the package design community can review, critique and stay informed of the latest industry trends and design projects being created in the field.
http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2008/06/02/beautiful-and-expressive-packaging-design/
hungrychristel at 3:27PM on 09/04/09
Um, I thought it was pancakes too! I guess we know where my head's at.
I think that light green is the most appealing color for packaging...
eatrunread at 3:28PM on 09/04/09
@therealchiffonade - loved your website. What a laugh!
bareneed at 3:52PM on 09/04/09
@hungrychristel: Oh yes. Thedieline is an everyday destination for me. Graphic-Exchange also has a nice packaging section.
I haven't seen that Smashing article though. Thanks!
Phylum at 3:58PM on 09/04/09
@therealchiffonade - priceless link. Made my day and everyone elses! yesssssss XD
hungrychristel at 4:15PM on 09/04/09
Me, too! Same with cookbooks. As a graphic designer, I appreciate the design just as much as the food or recipe.
WickedGoodDinner at 4:36PM on 09/04/09
I've always had a theory that packaging for food that's generic/cheap is designed to look bland/outdated on purpose to attract bargain hunters with a visual cue of cheapness. Am i right?
sailordave at 4:50PM on 09/04/09
@sailordave: I think some of it is intentional. It really is a big visual clue for people, which is good and bad. Also, in design you get what you pay for, so I'm sure those companies don't invest much in their look and feel because they don't invest much in the product itself. It's been surprising to me as a designer how many people see little or no value in design.
Phylum at 5:01PM on 09/04/09
haha @sailordave: thats the "theory". But consumer-perceptions and generalities also depend on the type of product that the theory is being applied to in addition to the audiences' perspective of purchasing behaviour. *sigh* ahh the beauty behind anylization of promotional-marketing-art.
hungrychristel at 5:03PM on 09/04/09
*waves to fellow foodie graphic designers*
I am definitely swayed by packaging design in the supermarket. I'll frequently drop the extra $ or so just so I can get the cool box home and play with it!
annabanannas at 5:10PM on 09/04/09
*waves to fellow foodie graphic designers*
I am definitely swayed by packaging design in the supermarket. I'll frequently drop the extra $ or so just so I can get the cool box home and play with it!
annabanannas at 5:10PM on 09/04/09
*waves back*
hungrychristel at 5:33PM on 09/04/09
@phylum: "you get what you pay for" cuts both ways. if store brands are trying to deliver a food item at the lowest possible cost, investing in design isn't a priority. the cost - rather than the design - sells the item.
callmenaomi at 5:44PM on 09/04/09
Celestial Sessonings, Lundberg Rice and Stubbs BBQ Sauce are a few I can think of right off hand.
CJ McD at 6:59PM on 09/04/09
As a kid, I have to admit, I loved cereal boxes. I don't even eat cereal now, but I loved the cartoons, the prizes, reading the back of the box...
HeartofGlass at 7:16PM on 09/04/09
I don't know if any of you have shopped at Aldi, but I find the packaging of their "Fit & Active" line of foods very appealing. The designer of that line did a really good job.
deetroitMI at 1:49PM on 09/05/09
Stone Brewing Company has some great design work. Definitely catch the eye. Monster Energy has the best design out of the energy drinks, IMO, though the big Jolt battery shaped containers are pretty good too. And not that this is normal food, but Nature's Best Isopure whey protein has a really clean and appealing design.
cycorider at 2:49PM on 09/05/09
Pretty pictures tend to catch my eye first at the market but I would have to say after the glitter has done it's toll I tend to follow the $$, after all someone is going to have to pay for the eye candy package.
pjracz10 at 4:51PM on 09/07/09
Art Chantry said some of the band logos he designed were better than the band. I think this describes Tazo, packaging is better than the product.
pearce77 at 5:49PM on 09/08/09
Die-cut packaging (like Dorset cereals) will definitely sway me. I'm also a fan of the Republic of Tea canisters for their reusability.
avaryne at 10:39PM on 09/08/09