Packaging products are designed to last as long as possible before recycling, where the vital process starts all over again. The importance of recyclable packaging is clearly recognised by all market sectors; either because the product itself is natural and eco-friendly or manufacturers wish to draw attention to the essence of the product. On the whole, awareness as regards the importance of recycled products is gradually increasing.
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Eating a pure experience of smell and taste? No longer. Nowadays it’s rather an effective agency to communicate and engage, an indication of cultural values, lifestyle, ispirations and imagination.
This showcase is complemented by fascinating insights in their forewords and case studies given by experts, entrepreneurs and practitioners, each distinct with regards to their experience in product, packaging, image-making, branding and interior design.
Stepfive creates new distinctive retail and catering concepts for food and beverage brands on a daily basis. We develop new concepts, recipes, brands and packaging design together with our clients. We also revitalise existing products on our own initiative, because we are convinced many products could have a more successful brand appearance with the right adaption and repositioning. For example, we have created this new concept for Bloody Mary.
This Bloody Mary concept can be used for the catering and retail sector. The bottle has two facings (meant for standing and hanging) and can therefore be placed on a shelf, perhaps in a retail environment, or can be suspended within catering establishments. You also have the option of attaching a connecting piece with a hose, allowing drinking glasses to be filled with Bloody Mary from a bottle hanging on the bar.
Packing design evolves. An edible bottle made from organic materials that is biodegradable too? No problem. Dr. David Edwards (professor at Harvard) is working on the WikiCells project that looks into creating edible packaging. WikiCell membranes can hold the drink together and can also be consumed afterwards. These membranes could be made out of something tasty, like chocolate or candy.
There are some hurdles to be taken though. Hygiene for instance. Products in ready-made packaging go through many hands – literally – before they reach the end consumer, and despite the companies’ assurances of their products’ safety, it is unlikely that consumers would be willing to nibble on something whose hygiene can so clearly be compromised. Still, marketing and recycling experts agree that there is room for experimentation.
Wish to try some of Edwards’ experimental edible packaging? You can sample them at the stunningly beautiful Lab Store Paris.
Again a wonderfull asset for our bookshelf, “packed” with inspiration: THE ART OF PACKAGE DESIGN. A recent assembly of international designers is creating highly outstanding and savvy designs to complement the nature and function of a product. Editor Wendy Xu included the Atelier LaDurance Japanese Denim packaging in the publication that is about innovative packaging designs that functions beyond ‘simply product wrappers’. A creative treasure published by Gingko Press: www.gingkopress.com
A fine example of what pakaging can do besides just containing and/or selling a product, given by Designworks Melbourne. These air-instruments are part of a ‘Play Air Campagne’, a campaign which helped raise money for an organisation called The Song Room. The Song Room is a charitable organisation who help ensure that underprivileged schools can allow their students to partake in creativity. Deservedly nominated for a Cannes Lions award for Promo & Activation.
‘Dutch Heights #2’ presents the year’s best work by award-winning Dutch architects, visual artists, actors, directors, illustrators, photographers, packaging designers, writers, poets, designers, theater makers, musicians and other performers. ‘Dutch Heights #2’ is the second volume in a new series yearbooks, designed by Irma Boom and produced by the best graphic production companies in the Netherlands.
”You do know a great package when you see one. But what makes it great? Packaging design, in fact, is an act of balancing between creativity and functionality. ‘Pack Your Life’ focuses on the visual side of the package, its graphical appeal, not that much on package engineering.”
A brand new inspirational book on the things we love, published by Azur, Japan 2011.
crEAte is the-must-have book for every designer connected to the world of food and beverage. Six chapters:’Food Activista’, ‘Wholehearted’, Smart Food’, ‘Packaging’, ‘Food Spaces’ and ‘Typologies’ deal with different aspects of design within gastronomy. An inspiring book published by Gestalten, Berlin 2008
Boxed and Labeled: the inspiring book for the “out-of-the-box” thinking packaging designer. Some of the designs seem to be almost impossible to make and extremely creative, others are beautifully stylish. But all expand the way of thinking about packaging design. For sure al designs strengthen the appearance of the products being packed. Published by Gestalten, Berlin 2009
