Dutch Packaging Design

An inspiring and interesting brand new book by Dutch publisher BIS Publishers out this month about ‘the essence of retail branding and design’.

”Retail mirrors society and as society is constantly changing, retail has to be able to anticipate these changes in order to maintain its right of existence. In short; act, react or suffer! This book covers all the facets of retail branding, holistic formula development and the essential one-to-one relationship with your customers.” -> Buy at BIS Publishers or view large and read at ISSUU

An international roundup of contemporary packaging design by Taschen: On sale soon!
Packaging is a highly underrated art form. As the first thing a consumer sees when looking at a product, the packaging can make or break a sale. Every year, the Pentawards celebrate the art of the package by presenting awards to designs from around the world. Featuring a selection of over 400 works from 30 countries, this book brings together all the Pentawards winners from 2011 and 2012. This well of inspiration is not just aimed at design and marketing professionals but anyone with an interest in the creative process of packaging.
The editor: Pentawards is the first and only worldwide competition dedicated to packaging design in all its forms, open to anyone associated with its creation and/or marketing. Aside from prize-giving, Pentawards’ mission is the worldwide promotion of packaging design among companies, media, economic and political authorities, and the general public. Further information: www.pentawards.org

Many food labels are confusing (and some downright misleading) especially with regard to animal welfare claims. To help navigate the confusion, the Animal Welfare Institute (AWI) has released A Consumer’s Guide to Food Labels and Animal Welfare.

This new guide aims to help consumers who purchase meat, dairy and eggs interpret the meaning of label claims and locate products from animals who were humanely raised and handled.
More on ‘A Consumer’s Guide to Food Labels and Animal Welfare’ here.

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.

View pages and read more, or buy here.

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.

Buy here.
Read more

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

‘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