Only 1 joke? The whole thing is a joke. I can’t tell if they’re for your cat crazy great-aunt who smells faintly of onions and moustache wax; or for the socially inept internet nerd who has to stop playing Bejewelled on their iPhones for 2 minutes to pull some crackers. Merry Christmas, kitties! Oh well. I love them and feel they represent a very good deal for the princely sum of $3.99. That said, the proof is always in the pull.
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My love affair with tea packaging continues. First we had Tea: Beautiful Packaging, to the art of boxing and bagging. Of course, there were many more fine examples than would fit in one post, hence part two. Voila!
By the way, if you’re interested in keeping a tea-log or finding new flavours/brands on which to sup, Steepster is a wonderful community site to check out!
Kaffe 1668 is a New York coffee house with its own line of teas. Designer Megan Cummins brought the 20+ teas to life in a prescriptive style.
Dr. Stuart’s (extraordinarily good tea) was designed by one of my favourite design studios, Pearlfisher, who seem to turn every piece of packaging into gold.
Teahugger’s clean and simple boxed were designed by Brian Peters. The name is adorable too!
New Zealand is the new home for a 4,000-year-old Chinese Oolong tea. For the first time ever Oolong tea has been grown outside Asia. Brand agency Designworks (my old crew) developed the name, brand and packaging for ‘Zealong’ – positioning it as a tea of the very highest quality.
T2 is a gorgeous Australian tea and tisane brand. The packaging is bright, bold and dripping with personality. On the T2 site you can even find a tea to match your zodiac sign (I’m going to presume Scorpio is not nettle tea).
I’m lucky to admire a few of the boxes every day in our kitchen. I’m enamoured with their ‘single serve’ hand woven plum blossom green teas, and sheer muslin tea bags. When combined with one of their glass teapots, you’ve got the perfect gift for any connoisseur or design nerd. Oh, hint hint!
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Enchanting! French designer Clémentine Henrion makes these fanciful eternal helium balloons. Never face the disappointment of your foil balloon deflating ever again. She explains the “illusion” of an helium balloon is entirely made from fancy fabrics.
“There is no helium in this Helium Eternal balloon : it is stuffed with kapok, like a soft pillow. A tiny flap fixed at the top of the balloon helps hanging it to your interior’s ceiling, hook it to a curtain rod, the top of a wall etc. The key thing is to hang it up as high as possible, in order to recreate the magic illusion of a real flying helium balloon!”
Gurgle. I would so like a parrot!
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This limited edition HP Mini designed by Studio Tord Boontje is making my HP Mini jealous. It’s used to being the centre of attention – stunning people with its rapier wit and tiny size.
But it pales in comparison (well, no, mine is black, this is icy white) to this laptop, with ethereal illustrations of endangered animals dancing all over the cover and touch-pad.
You will know Tord Boonjte from his fantastical light shades, chairs and other industrial designs; and now his pretty patterns have been applied to the Mini using an image technology HP calls Imprint 3D. Basically the layers get built up for an even lusher look and feel.
If you go to the HP mini-site you’ll get a sense of just how striking this collaboration is (and some free desktop wallpapers).
Most of us look at our computers/laptops all day long, so it makes sense that they should be visually pleasing. But does it make sense for me to get a new one, just because it’s cute? Maybe…
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{So, I’ve been a bit neglectful of CFS while I’ve been gallivanting around New York… whoops. Not to worry though, fellow globe trotter, the lovely Sarah von of Yes and Yes is saving the day with a guest post on the glory of decay!}
Though there’s something very calming and clean about modern design, it can get all get a bit sterile, can’t it? There’s something so mysterious and intriguing about spaces and clothing that’s a bit messed around the edges, covered in vines, chipping a bit. Don’t you want to spend an afternoon investigating all these places? Poking around with your camera and maybe picnicking among the relics?
If you’d like to add a bit more deliciously decayed decadence to your life, why not:
Do you love things that are a bit tumbledown around the edges?
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My sweet ickle brother turned 22 recently, and like all responsible sisters, I rushed out and bought him a very very last minute present. Thankfully the first shop I came across on my mad dash was The Cool Store.
As the name implies, they are retailer of rather cool and covetable goods, aimed at the more masculine shopper. Working with the double entendre, the whole space is set out like a modern butcher’s shop.
There’s fresh cuts of jeans hanging from the ceiling, stacks of sweet tees in a fridge and chunky gold watches and other accessories in a chiller cabinet. To get to the changing rooms you have to make your way through swathes of industrial grade plastic. It’s heavy – and makes a satisfying thwap, thwap, thwap noise.
My favourite part of The Cool Store experience? The gift wrap. Your purchases will be nicely wrapped up in brown paper and tape. Simple yet effective. It’s just how you’d get cuts of steak at your local butcher!
So what did I get Hemi in the end? A soft cotton Deus Ex Machina Union tee. Good times! The kid was stoked…
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“In this competitive era, choosing company and product names is the single most important marketing decisions businesses face”
Jack Trout, Business 2.0
Whether you’re naming a baby, a label, a product, blog or a band, a great moniker can propel your little fire-starter to new heights. Great names are a powerful branding force that can work to differentiate you from your competitors, provide creative marketing inspiration, sell a benefit and emotionally connect with customers. This applies to people too! Would Norma Jean have met the same success as the bombshell Marilyn Monroe did?
While many well known brand names appear to have been coined with a touch of luck and some great minds; dig deep and you’ll find most of them have been through rigorous development to get to the magic. The best thing however is that names are free! Taking the time to develop one could be one of the most valuable investments a company ever makes.
So, what makes a great name? While they can come from anywhere, it pays to develop one that has entrenched significance within your company and the service or product you offer. This is a fantastic opportunity to hook people in, because every name tells a tale. Is there a connection to family, place or a technique? Vogels bread taps into a tradition of health and wellbeing – as championed by naturalist Alfred Vogel (who has lent his name to all sorts of other products, including vitamins).
Another kiwi name favourite is 42Below. The vodka peddlers developed a modern name with a great shape (to design to) that tells a great story.“42 Below what?” – it gives them a chance to talk about the origins and purity of their product. Look for a hook into your wider brand story.
It’s also important to create a name that’s in it for the long haul. In 1990 including the numbers 2000 after your brand name seemed to be in vogue and future forward. In 2009, it’s not such a good look. New Zealand company Rakon, makers of GPS chipsets, were named for ‘radio control’ in 1967 – despite giant technological advances, their name still stands in today’s market. Consider playing with your name a little bit – mash-ups can be fun!
The sound has got to match the spelling. The most marketable names are ones that are easily spelled. For example, you could call your range of designer lunchboxes “Kool Kyds Bentos” – because k’s look edgy. It’s an extreme example, but do consider the sales potential if someone could find your website or phone number after overhearing a conversation. Making sure your brand name works both verbally and on the page is vital.
Twitter – playful, easy to spell and easy to find.
At the end of the day, names are like first impressions, they can be changed; and actions will always speak louder than words. A fabulous handle never hurt anyone though!
Now we’ve discovered what’s in a name; here’s a basic naming process for you to follow:
RESEARCH: Do your research – analyse your strategy/business plan, for clues, investigate current names out in the market and explore your point of difference.
SCOPE: Scope out several different territories based on your research.
These may include -
• Abstract/random non related territory/unique and original.
• Descriptive territory of product/service proposition.
• Emotional focus/benefit.
• Future focus to territory (not numbers, think advancements).
• Word/spelling play, clever manipulation of words and sounds, mash-ups.
What are the emotional/functional needs of the territories explored?
CREATION: Come up with a range of names within each territory explored. No name is too silly or obscure – pop them all down on your list!
Outline and rank names in relation to project through shortlist.
Conduct a name search – has it been taken and linguistic appropriateness – culture etc.
ELIMINATION: Narrow down to two directions – check for availability on websites, company register, Google search results.
TESTING: Test your names – pitch them to friends, family and potential clients. Swirl the names around in all situations. Like a fine wine – what’s the mouth feel? Does it work with your elevator pitch? Are there any potential spelling disasters?
Finally, name it!
This article first appeared on Etch Magazine – New Zealand’s online business and lifestyle magazine for young Kiwis. Check it out.
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At first I wanted these two Japanese jazz albums based on the track listings, but after seeing the cover artwork, I’m coveting the entire package.
Simple use of block colour, bold lines and a cute play on the theme all adds up to some pretty striking illustrations. Definitely worthy of framing. Have you seen any great record covers lately?
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I’ve noticed a lot of cute projects using maps recently. Is it a trend or am I merely a travel bug obsessed with navigation? I think it might just be the former. Funnily enough I have my own map project in the works.
Anyway, here are my picks of the neatest accessories and art to get lost with:
Olivia makes stylish framed maps and thoughts… perfect whether you are near home or abroad! Are those map envelopes in the corner too?
With a wee purse from Map 29 you’ll always be able to get your bearings: “Map 29 was born when looking for a quirky, one off gift to give a friend in memory of our childhood friendship and where we lived. She loved it and told her friends who told theirs…”
Elisabeth Lecourt is the artist behind these exquisite map garments. As described by others already, they would look amazing hanging on a wall; perhaps above a travel-fashion-design writer’s desk?
Shannon Rankin/Selflesh also makes artworks out of maps. I’ve interpreted the selections above as a message that travel opens your mind, eyes, heart. Personal discovery stems from external exploration? Yes.
“I bought this at the Aotea Square market yonks ago… It’s still alive despite my thrashing. The screen print is of Auckland CBD street map.”
Making this post reminded me of my my old map bag! Do you already own something cartograpy inspired, too?
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Tea, the drink of choice for queens the world over, is also the king of beautiful packaging. I’ve been digging around and saving my favourites.
Here is an Orla Kiely designed tin for Bewley’s:
Kiely says of her bright box – “Bewley’s was an important sanctuary to me as a student living in Dublin and I am delighted to be working with them as they are an iconic Irish brand. We chose one of our signature prints – the ‘Scribble Stem’ in a classic red and cream with bright chartreuse contrast lid. We hope our tea caddy will add a flash of colour and become a treasured feature in the kitchen.”
English brand Clipper uses hand drawn type and illustration to showcase their natural flavours:
French brand Chateau Rouge, uses an object (which has relevance to name or the flavour notes) to identify each tea:
Mallard make the cutest takeaway cups – featuring whimsical patterns and a cute teapot silhouette:
“Mallard is a specialist tea company which sells loose leaf tea through its shop and tearoom in Knutsford. The mix and match branding is inspired by the eclectic feel of the establishment which is quirky, eccentric and unmistakably English.”
Andrews & Dunham sell loose tea in beautifully designed little tins – I love this elephant Ceylon one:
Finally, origami tea bags from Russia. Not strictly packaging bu whatevski – they are beautiful! The bird apparently forms and unfolds gradually while the tea infuses.
It seems those on the European side of the pond are miles ahead of the pack when it comes to injecting a little charm into their tea boxes!
What brand of tea do you drink? Does it keep it cute ‘n loose? Tight and tinned?
It seems those on the far side of the pond are miles ahead of the pack when it comes to injecting a little charm into their tea boxes!
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Festive flags, bunting, whatever you want to call them – I love these decorations. Out in the wild, at events, on the wall at home. Daily celebrations.
Even better if you can adorn yourself with them, right? I adore Scout Holiday’s flag necklaces, made out of hand painted leather:
This Commotion tee would make my summer super sweet:
Deborah Sweeney‘s new SS09/10 collection Gypsy Disco is plastered with flags – perfect festive fun!
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Maybe I posted these before, or maybe they are a hazy beautiful memory from one of the trend reports I used to write… I don’t remember. Either way, these Belvoir cordial bottles are gorgeous to look at.
Swirling hand crafted type and a classic form, with hearty nods to an authentic flavour. Ah, forget the design wank. They’re pretty!
[More at lovelypackage]
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A couple of months, scores of emails, instant messages, calls and coffees; Emma and I have a design result!
New little elements you might spot: a favicon, divider element, the not-so-little header (hand painted by Em), the main CFS word-mark, logos for the regular features.
Of course, there are still a few surprises to come yet! We love the idea of seasonal colour changes, if only for our own pleasure – right now you’ll see lots of deep purples and fuchsias. Over time it will morph into a refreshing citrus palette…
Thoughts on the design process:
Other posts on CFS’s glamorous Gok-like makeover (it was very charming to see the original CFS design again): CFS-ACELIFT, the First Steps, the Wordmark and the Design Progress.
If you have any questions on design, working with a designer or bitch slapping CSS into submisson, don’t hesitate to ask!
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For all the cool kids out there – a wooden icecream truck and scoop playset from Habitat:
I think pretty much everything Habitat produces is beautifully designed, and these children’s toys are no exception.Via the Heartschallenger blog – who need some help finding the toys if you have any leads!
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Hello! My name is Amber Parkin. I'm a New Zealander living in London. I'm a writer obsessed with fondue, chesterfield sofas, vintage dresses, foxes, and 35mm.
Here I like to talk about fashion, design, food, travel, writing & books, and culture. Everything else (including my photography) goes into my digital notebook.
If you'd like to email me the address is amber@codeforsomething.com
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