Dutch Packaging Design

The characteristic brown beer bottle will turn just as green as the bottles that Heineken sells worldwide. The Brown bottle is a relic of Dutch appointments made decades ago to redeem deposit-bottles. Brown glass is recycled by most Dutch brewers, so it doesn’t matter which Brewer is taking in a bottle. Green glass is much less established. First, the green bottle was intended as an export bottle, but over the years it has become the color of the Heineken brand. The exchange operation began twenty years ago. In 1992 the Red cap disappeared, six years afterwards the yellow crates turned green and since 2000 all Lightboxes are green as well.

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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Gourmande is the consumers brand of ‘henri van de bilt vleeswaren’, who produces deli meats from single meat cuts and convenience products. Stepfive rebranded the Gourmande logo and also created four remarkable packaging labels for their range of Streaky Bacon products. These labels come with much attention for branding and meanwhile have a spot on the visibility of the products. Each label has it’s own fresh colour setting for each different taste variety.

The packaging design for the international figure Bob the Builder^TM baloney and liver paté was created by Stepfive, commissioned by Zwanenberg Food Group. This delicious sandwich filling for children appeals not only to the youngest ones. Due to it’s strong presence, it also looks very desireable on the shelf. Bob the Builder^TM makes lunch and breakfast even more fun!

For Look-O-Look, Stepfive developed a new and contemporary line of packages (for 29 different candies) which will replace the current ‘kopkaartjes’ (transparent candy bags). These new flowpacks are designed in a handy size and are easy to open, which creates optimal ease in use. The new flowpacks have a fun, fresh and strong packaging design which corresponds perfectly with the target group. The flowpack design also contains a clear product-communication and an optimal visibility for a maximal impulse, which really distinguishes this packaging in stores from it’s competitors.

In a world of tremendous fast growing digitalization, packaging design can’t stay far behind. Want to ‘feel’ a package and see it’s benefits without having the actual package in hands? Apps and other digital media provides us, in combination with regular printed media, an innovative and even better way of advertising.
Stepfive Communication & Design designed and developed a mobile and desktop website for Dutch candy producer Look-O-Look, to be reached by a QR-code at advertisements. Consumers and sales managers can digitally feel and navigate around the new package design at this site. In combination with printed and social media it gives Look-O-Look a wide spread and an effective campaign to show their brand and products.

This manufactorer, based in Europe, delivers quality toys with a high degree of educational values. These toys are built to last and are internationally recognized with lots of prestigious awards. Stepfive created several packaging concepts that fitted this high standard of quality, while gaining presence due to the use of bright colours and clear typography. Using different materials was a handy tool that allowed us to make a clear difference between the many product groups. We also created an opening in each design that allows buyers to actually feel the products’ quality – an essential factor in deciding wether or not to buy the toy.

Dutch bakery FreeOf produces all kinds of bread products completely gluten-free for people on a diet, for those who simply want to eat gluten-free or for those who suffer from gluten sensitivity. This disease can be defined as a non-allergic and non-autoimmune condition in which the consumption of gluten can lead to symptoms similar to those observed in coeliac disease or wheat allergy. For FreeOf, Stepfive created an appetizing looking and modern packaging design for the complete range of FreeOf products.
It’s time to enjoy healthier, better tasting and better looking gluten-free breads!

Linera is long known for it’s diet-related products. But The Times They Are A-Changin’ and so does our perception of healthy living, which is more based on a healthy diet as being a lifestyle then occasionally being on a strict diet. So Linera asked Stepfive to redesign the packaging design of their current line of products in order to fit this modern take on healthy living. Therefore, Linera set some basic rules: the Linera branding must not be altered. Nor should the focus on the target group, which consists mainly of female consumers. Furthermore, the design must be colourful and have an active feel to it.
We think we managed to do just that. We’ve gained Linera’s presence by adding a big purple oval in which the product-type is communicated. The result is this highly recognisable line of modern Linera-products that can stand the times for at least a number of years.

A kick-start of 2012 with this news. Look-O-Look’s Toppermix was voted Product of the Year 2011! A representative panel of 6,000 Dutch consumers criticized it best among all others. A reason to be cheerful and so are we at Stepfive headquarters!

More on Look-O-Look’s winning Toppermix (design by Stepfive) here.