Stylish stamps

This week we’re loving these special edition stamps from Royal Mail, which are guaranteed to inject some pizzazz into the postal system. Celebrating apparel from some of Britain’s finest designers, models adorn labels from the likes of Paul Smith, Zandra Rhodes and Celia Birtwell. A dramatic silhouette effect is created by removing the models’ physical features, which also (more importantly) ensures that no living person is placed on the stamp except for the Queen herself.

Simply M&S

This week, purveyors of traditionally upmarket nosh, M&S, unveiled a more simple bow to their supermarket string in the form of Simply M&S. The offering is set to rival budget own label supermarket brands, and contains all the basics (such as eggs, milk and fresh meat) as well as 800 new lines. In-house designers are cited as having come up with the look and feel of the packaging, which conveys ‘no frills’ in a suitably warm and friendly M&S way.

Let the Jubilee show begin...!

With the Jubilee just around the corner, it’s not surprising that world and his corgi are firmly tapping into the festive fever. ITV1 is the latest to enlist, having released this charming illustrative ident which will precede the Royal Season of TV. Steve Small, director of Studio AKA, came up with the design, which can be seen in all its animated glory by clicking here.

Tasty pack design

Finally, we’re loving this  bold pack design by Bulletproof for frozen yoghurt brand yoomoo. Vibrant colourways proffer strong standout from the freezer, whilst the clean, white background firmly communicates health and low fat virtuosity. Overall, a fun design that relays the cheeky, energetic brand personality.

Greek chic

It seems that Greek is ‘on trend’ for 2012, as this week saw dairy giant Danone launch Oykos; their standalone Greek-style yoghurt brand. Created to attract a younger, female audience,  Dragon Rouge were behind the distinctive packaging design which aims to convey premiumness and quality.

A Tyrell's-take on Jubilee crisps

Living up to their reputation as England’s ‘entertaining crisp’, Tyrrell’s is set to release a limited edition Jubilee pack, featuring the Union Jack. Not content with changing their exterior alone, each pack contains three varieties of coloured potatoes (red, white and blue don’t you know). Priced at a premium £2.99, the packs will be sold in the likes of Selfridges, Fortnum & Mason and Harrods. We’re sure Ma’am will approve.

Mic's Chilli; an illustration of good design

Exuberance and attention to detail are what happen when you’re given a completely open brief to packaging design. This was indeed the case for start-up Irish sauce company, Mic’s Chilli, who approached illustrator Steve Simpson for help. The result is these lively looking packs, which take inspiration from South American folk art (BBQ sauce) and traditional Chinese designs (Sweet Chilli). Use of colour ensures the aesthetic isn’t at the sake of clear variant navigation.

Never forget Elephant Combs

This week, we can’t praise Elephant Combs enough for their distinctive logo, which integrates product communication into visual brand language. Genius.

SustainNEXT conference in Ireland

And finally, as packaging design researchers, sustainability is always on our radar (indeed, we recently completed our very own study on the Semiotics of Sustainability). This week, the SustainNEXT conference in Ireland came to our attention. Held in June, the aim of the conference is to deepen our understanding of how sustainability will affect our organisations, with the aim of enabling us to develop and implement successful sustainability strategies thereafter. Can’t say fairer (greener?) than that really.

Here’s one we worked on!

This week, we’re cherry picking Peroni as our weekend tipple, having recently worked on their stirling new pack (which launched this week). The updated look came courtesy of JDO, who injected more premiumness into Peroni by contrasting a clean, white background against a series of bold, metallic colours (note the gold detailing). In particuar, we’re pleased to see that the blue ribbon – a key brand equity – takes pride of place on all packaging.

Move over macarons, it's time for Jarcakes

This week we came across Jarcakes, who take this rather novel approach to confectionary packaging. Placing small, speciality cakes in quaint jars, the brand keeps communication to a minimum, employing a series of bold yet simple labels that proffer excellent standout on shelf.

Digestives fit for a Queen

In another Jubilee special, this week United Biscuits unveiled a royally good look for their McVitie’s Digestives range. The packs incorporate a Union Jack flag and ‘Proud to be British since 1892’ strap line to help ride the wave of patriotism ahead of the summer’s events. Make sure you stock up the biscuit tin between May and September.

Thanks But No Thanks

For all budding art collectors in London this weekend, we highly recommend the Thanks But No Thanks exhibition at the Beach Gallery. A collection of rejected design and illustration work, the show airs until Sunday 6th May and all money raised will go to the Battersea Dogs’ Home. We’re rather fond of this series of posters by Julia for the play by Stefan Golaszewski, Sex With A Stranger.

Crisp packaging from Kettle

This week we’re craving the arrival of Kettle Ridges, a new undulating offering courtesy of Kettle Foods. Agency Turner Duckworth came up with this vibrant purple pack, which employs clever, characterful illustrations (note the double meaning) and disrupts the brand’s traditional naming hierarchy.  Overall, a sophisticated pack that proffers foodie appeal.

A suited and booted protest on Savile Row

Monday 23rd April was St George’s Day, and what better way to celebrate than with a display of gentlemanly solidarity. Said display took place on Savile Row, where The Chap magazine held a ‘firm’ yet ‘peaceful’ protest over the proposed opening of a new Abercrombie & Fitch store. Hailed as the ‘best dressed demonstration’ ever, we’re also rather fond of their protest signage which proffers both a sense of nostalgia and style.

Spread the Jubilee-ation

Love it or hate it, the Jubilee is nigh – so grab your Ma’amite and raise a (piece of) toast to the Queen. This limited edition Marmite jar eschews the usual brand colours for a simple Union Jack and Crown graphic. Unilever marketing manager Nicola Waymark regards the pack as “a fitting tribute to the Queen – from one British institution to another.” Available in stores now, and from the marmiteshop.co.uk as of April 30th.

Improving the quality of Tesco Value branding

Tesco is set to drop the blue and white ‘prison bar’ stripes on their entire Value range as part of a £1bn overhaul. Teaming up with Rocket Design, the supermarket giant will inject more colour and personality into the 550 Tesco Value SKUS. The approach is hoped to increase quality perceptions of the range and consumer appeal.

We're set to celebrate creativity at Digital Shoreditch

Finally, TBP will be attending the Digital Shoredtich festival (May 21st – 1st June 2012), which celebrates “the outstanding creative, technical and entrepreneurial talent of East London and Tech City”. On Wednesday 30th May, you’ll find us at the Brands day – be sure to drop us a Tweet (@TBPresearch) if you’re around.

T-shirts with appetite appeal

A tin of paint doesn’t have to be boring, especially when you’re Johnny Cupcakes. The clothing brand (which sadly doesn’t sell anything edible), has come up with this rather tasty packaging idea for their t-shirts; a paint-come-frosting tin. An innovative idea in keeping with the brand’s highly original ethos.

Vintage beans fit for a Queen

Ahead of Jubilee celebrations, Heinz has dusted off its 1952 packaging for their tins of Beans and Spaghetti. Senior brand manager, Katherine Broadley, hopes the designs “honour our British heritage as well as provide retailers with an opportunity to capitalise on sales in time for the big celebration”. Open a limited edition tin from May onwards.

Fiery stuff from SoCo

Southern Comfort spices things up ahead of the weekend with the launch of their new Fiery Pepper variant. Fusing “two Louisiana classics” together (Southern Comfort and Tabasco sauce), the drink is set to offer a taste that is both ‘challenging’ and ‘fun’. A wealth of novel promotional material has been created to inject some energy into the launch, and includes – of all things – a branded siren.

Actimel: Before and After

Actimel updates its look courtesy of Dragon Rouge. To help modernise and simplify the pack, a softer, friendlier font has been adopted for the logo, and sunrise iconography used to reflect the ‘morning’ occasion for the drink. Bright colours will be applied to all 13 variants within the range to bolster brand blocking on shelf also.

TEDx at CSM

If you didn’t know already, TBP recently sponsored the TEDx event at Central Saint Martins. Read our thoughts about the day here, and ensure you watch some of our favourite talks!

Fancy some tea and Jubilee biscuits?

Paying an almost weekly homage to the impending Jubilee celebrations, here’s another Br-iteration* which comes courtesy of McVitie’s. JKR helped devise this strikingly sophisticated pack and took inspiration from the iconic Royal Mail stamp it seems. A first class limited edition indeed.

(*British-iteration)

Fruit2day - gone tomorrow?

A drinkable snack that provides all of your 5-a-day? Sounds like magic! Indeed, juice brand Sunmagic is set to launch their Fruit2day range in the UK later this month – which conveniently liquifies your 5-a-day.  Positioned as a ‘healthy snack’ for adults and children who are ‘on the go’, the drink uses a unique manufacturing process to ensure that a piece of fruit is consumed with every mouthful. Two flavours will be available to eat / drink; Mangoes, Peaches & Apples and Raspberries, Grapes & Pears.

Imagine a world where paint tins were square

Newcastle based design agency Founded, recently devised this rather striking new pack for Dulux. With the aim of injecting more personality into the humble paint tin, they opted for a cube structure – which in theory reduces storage and transporation space.  Could the future of DIY paint jobs look this good? Given this exercise was for Icon Magazine’s Rethink project, perhaps not.

Wallace & Gromit give us an excuse for more milk on our cereal

Animated duo, Wallace and Gromit, have somewhat diversified their interests beyond Wensleydale cheese. For a limited period, cartoons of the pair will crop up on cartons of Robert Wiseman’s Black & White milk in order to promote their Big Breakfast charity event which runs from the 20th – 27th April.

TEDx at Central Saint Martins

We were delighted to sponsor the TEDx event at Central Saint Martins.

TED is a nonprofit organisation dedicated to the simple but compelling premise of “Ideas Worth Spreading”. It began in 1984 as a conference bringing together people from the worlds of technology, education and design (hence TED). Since then its scope has expanded enormously and many of the talks from its two annual conferences and events around the world are archived on their fantastic website.

And if the words “talk”, “conference” and “lecture” all sound all a bit dry, think again. The website plays host to over 1,100 talks on topics ranging from death to nuclear fusion to gaming to the world-saving properties of mushrooms, so there’s something for everyone! A couple of our favourites are Richard Seymour (of SeymourPowell)’s talk on “How Beauty Feels” and Steve Job’s famous Stanford Commencement Address.

The Granary Building, CSM's stunning new campus (still being built in some areas!)

Which brings us to TEDx at Central Saint Martins. The ‘x’ denotes an independently organised event, in this case organised by the students of the collage. Hosted in their stunning new campus in King’s Cross, the day featured talks on the (somewhat loose) theme of ‘Emergence’.

Our sponsorship meant the morning coffees and pastries were on us - you're welcome!

That broad theme was the starting point for an eclectic array of talks. Most of them are available on the website, but our highlights were Michael Wolff (of Wolff Olins)’s short but thought-provoking talk where, in an enjoyably anecdotal style, he outlines four ‘life sentences’, as well as Tom Hulme (of IDEO)’s inspiring talk on design for emergence.

Marina Willer (Pentagram) and Ije Nwokorie (Wolff Olins) graphically (and rather beautifully) captured some themes from the day

All in all, an excellent and stimulating day. We’d urge you to check out the videos of the day and of TED generally. Our thanks to the students (in particular Essi) of Central Saint Martins for doing such an excellent job of organising it all.

Have an eco Easter

Last week, the humble Easter egg came under political fire, as it was revealed that commercially produced eggs create approximately 3,000 tonnes of UK waste each year. Yet whilst offerings from major suppliers such as M&S and Sainsbury’s were criticised, boutique chocolatier Montezuma’s was praised for their aptly named Eco Egg.  A “shining example” of best packaging practice, this simple yet effective pack comprises two parts; sturdy biodegradable paper for the outer shell and foil wrapping for the inner.

Posh eggs

Fancy some posh poached eggs this weekend? Thanks to Noble Foods (of The Happy Egg Co fame), you can now indulge in their more premium Posh Birds brand and select a speciality egg from a rare breed. Springetts helped shape the identity and packaging for the brand, and opted for this jolly yet understated pack that feels appropriately premium.

Fortnum go that eggstra mile this Easter

For a considerably more ostentatious offering this Easter,  Fortnum & Mason is your one-stop-shop. We simply couldn’t resist showing their sensational seasonal Silk Egg Box, which is beautifully hand-covered with eau de nil silk, and filled with a selection of yummy chocolates. At £125, it’s a pricey (yet reusable?) indulgence.

We're off on an egg hunt

And as a final word this week, the TBP team would like to wish you all a very enjoyable Easter weekend. We hope you have a cracking time – see you after the break!

A scorching summery look from Soreen

With the Jubilee and Olympics fast approaching, we’re seeing more and more brands hopping on the Brit-bandwagon. This week, bread bin staple Soreen, unveiled its limited edition pack as part of the ‘Great British Summer of Soreen’ marketing campaign. Creative agency Sunny Thinking devised the pack, which flies the flag for Britain (literally) and Soreen’s ‘squidgy’ personality.

A fresh identity from Ocado

Staying firmly on the food front, we’ve also been taking stock of Ocado’s refreshed brand identity and packaging. Created by JKR, designers faced the unique challenge of devising a brand and pack identity that lives and works outside of the normal supermarket environment (i.e. only on your computer screen). The result is a striking new look that turns the Ocado brand mark into a distinctive graphic pattern, and emboldens their existing colour palate to increase impact and appeal.

Nestlé go that egg-stra mile for sustainability

Fancy sampling some sustainability with your Smarties this easter? Now you can thanks to confectionary giant Nestlé; the first company of its kind to roll out 100% recyclable packaging across their entire Easter egg range. Replacing 48 tonnes of rigid plastic with FSC-approved cardboard and compostable, the new packaging is the culmination of a 6 year process which will save over 700 tonnes of plastic waste going to landfill each year.

Mr Kipling sweeten the daily commute

Mr Kipling are keeping commuters in a sweet mood this month, having installed a number of cake-to-go dispensers in bus shelters across the UK. Following a recent overhaul of their identity and packaging, the brand is partaking in a hive of marketing activity to drive appeal. Brand Director Michelle Wilde commented: “a slice of cake when you least expect it can bring a moment of joy to your day. Mr Kipling Snap Pack cakes are perfect for bringing that little piece of happiness for you to take and eat on the go.”

And finally, we recently strolled over to the Shad Thames to check out the Designs of the Year Awards at the Design Museum. Click here to read our blog post on what we thought of some of the entries…

Shade by Simon Heijdens

One of the first designs that caught our eye was Shade by Simon Heijdens, an entry for the Product Design award. This floor-to-ceiling glass window utilises small triangular cells that continuously react to the light outside in order to reflect the mood of the day within. Though we did think it a beautiful example of muti-functional design, the mechanism was also rather noisy, so we wouldn’t recommend home installation just yet…

Ambulance designed by The Helen Hamlyn Centre & RCA

Next, the Helen Hamlyn Centre unites simplicity and functionality in, of all things, the ambulance. Thanks to their collaboration with the Royal College of Art, the interior space has been optimised to give paramedics as much working room as possible, whilst keeping everything close to hand. In addition, bright colours have been selected to distinguish the individual storage compartments, ensuring that the space feels friendly rather than clinical. All in all, an entry that champions the beauty of practical design – although one we hope not to experience in-situ of course.

Hövding Invisible Cycle Helmet

Another nifty find was the Hövding Invisible Cycle Helmet, which puts both style and safety onto the design agenda. Disguising a safety collar as a fashion accessory, the collar features a hidden airbag which inflates upon impact. Ingenious design that removes the risk of going helmet-less, whilst solving the problem of ‘hat hair’ too.

Vivienne Westwood Ethical Fashion Africa Collection

Finally, it wasn’t wholly surprising to see Vivienne Westwood’s Ethical Fashion Africa collection making it into the list of nominees for the Fashion Award. The effort that has gone into this collection is clear, and after a busy year globally, Westwood’s dedication to sustainability has become more than evident. Handmade in Nairobi and produced in collaboration with The Ethical Fashion Programme, these bags feature the vibrant colours and emblems of African culture. One for the Christmas list perhaps?

Did you get a chance to stop by the exhibition? It is showing until the 4th of July 2012, so there’s no excuse not to head down to South Bank for a look. Let us know your thoughts via Twitter, or a comment below.