The iF product design award was introduced in 1954. Each year the iF award attracts more than 2000 entries from 37 countries, which are then judged by experts in the respective fields. This Product and Material yearbook features the best in international product design, focusing on newly developed materials and the innovative use of existing materials.


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

A compilation of yearly design awards, this book features the best in communication and packaging design from around the world. The iF communication design awards have been conferred since 2004 by a panel of design experts from across the world. Showcased in this volume are the most outstanding examples of communication and packaging design. This yearbook presents trendsetting achievement in advertising, media, campaigns, packaging, and websites.
Read more here, or buy 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.

”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.

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

Looking for a great read that just hit the shelves? Check out ‘The Package Design Book’ written by Julius Wiedemann. This recently published book showcases Pentaward winners from the worldwide packaging design contest. Featuring a vibrantly yellow cover, the book itself is an example of eye-catching design not to mention having over 400 product pages. Each page has high quality images of food, beverage, and beauty products along with a short summary about the packaging design. The Package Design Book can be purchased at TASCHEN.
