Top 5 Packaging Design Enthusiasts on Twitter

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Twitter is a fantastic tool for keeping up with the latest news and trends in your field. In the realms of packaging design there is a plethora of enthusiasts and experts to follow and interact with, all of which have a different view and send out different content for you to enjoy. In no particular order here are our top 5 and why you should follow them.

@packagingdiva

A packaging celebrity, it doesn’t get more glamorous than this. Having spoken about packaging issues on NBC and at the White House (twice) packaging Diva has a fantastic insight into current issues and trends. Packaging Diva has created a real sense of community around her twitter, keeping up with the latest conversations about design and interacting with businesses and individuals alike. Outside of twitter the Diva has also created several shared pinterest boards for packaging enthusiasts around the world to add their favourites. This is a great account to follow to get into the packaging community, interact and expand your network. If you love packaging design then Packaging Diva is a definite must follow – we love her!

@packagingworld

Packaging design can come in many forms and their are multiple categories to explore when looking across the web. Packaging World looks at the more industrial side including new packaging style developments, medical packaging and new packaging mass production methods. You won’t be without your dose of sparkle every once in a while however Packaging World takes a more serious approach to the scene. They have their fingers on the manufacturing pulse of the industry but don’t worry, you won’t get lost in a wave of boring information – far from it.

@packagings

The twitter outlet for the top rate site Packaging of the World. They really do take packaging design from around the world, whether it is major brands or student work they showcase it with equal vigor. This is a great place to find great content and keep your eye on what is going up on the site. They really support designs which wouldn’t normally get as much publication and can introduce you to some great packaging design creators. You will be spoilt for choice and they will never let you down when you are hankering for something exciting. If it’s a daily dose of eye candy and inspiration you’re after, this is the place to be.

@EmpirePacking

A relatively up and coming packaging enthusiast, the business itself sells packaging supplies (cardboard boxes, bubble wrap, etc…) but has an eye on the whole of the packaging scene. From the most interesting news articles, to a piece of design that has caught their eye Empire send out interesting tit bits everyday. They aren’t afraid of interaction either and have been seen conversing with designers, other enthusiast and even Packaging Diva herself. If it’s a connection you want to make in the packaging community then this could be the perfect place to find one.

@LovelyPackage

A twitter account which does exactly what it says on the tin. You can find lovely packaging design from various sources, individual designers and unheard of brands which have taken a completely different spin on things. If it’s pretty and well designed then you’ll find it here and they have no shortage of content to share with you. If you want to be kept abreast of the latest little known designs as well as new blossoming designers then take note of this handle, it could be a perfect follow for you.

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Forces Sauces

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There has been a huge buzz in the last few days around a new product which has charity at the head of its brand and packaging. Forces Sauces is a sauce brand created by Bob Barret, who’s life was turned around by the work of the charity Stoll in 2004. To help the charity gain some income he helped create a the brand which also helps The Royal British Legion.

Image from The Drum

Everything about their packaging design contributes to their fantastic brand image.. The logo, title, typography and colours used all fit in with the forces theme and even the shape of the bottle replicates the silhouette of a soldier.

The product is to hit Tesco stores across the country and the brand hopes to reach other supermarkets in due course. There has been much controversy over the prices however, the products have an rsp of £2.19 however only 6p of this will actually be donated to the charities. This seems surprisingly small and many consumers have implied that they would prefer to stick with their current chosen products and donate in their own way unless this is changed.

It is unclear if the brand are going to re-think this amount after hearing the consumer feedback but we here at PNW hope that this won’t put consumers off buying a product supporting such a respectable cause.

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Worlds Largest Cardboard Box Castle

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College student and YouTube personality Blake Grigsby is taking the classic cardboard castle a step further this summer, in support of the American Cancer Society. He is going to try and break the record for the largest cardboard box castle ever built! Here at Packaging News Weekly, anything packaging related gets us excited so we got in touch and asked him a few questions about the project.

Where did the idea to create the worlds largest cardboard box castle come from?

As a kid, I always loved when my parents got a cardboard box because then I could play in it for hours. Then one day it just hit me! Lets build a giant cardboard castle! After a little bit of planning and research I realized it was possible then figured a way to make the project as creative and fun as possible while still raising money for charity.

What kind of cardboard box are you going to use? Small, large, double or single walled?

As of right now, the boxes are based on donations. The boxes are of various sizes! Thanks to a $1,000 grant from the Awesome Foundation we will be able to purchase any extra boxes we need to pursue such a large project.

Do you have an architect?

We are looking for a professional architect to volunteer but right now we are aligning ourselves with fellow students that are looking to pursue a position in that field giving them some sort of experience.

How big will it be?

Right now, it is at least 8 feet high and 30 feet wide but as we get more donations it is getting much larger. It has to be big enough because we are putting a family improv show in front of it and a restaurant inside of it during the day. All to raise money for the American Cancer Society. We will also be adding things like cannons made of cardboard.

How will it all get put together?

We have a bunch of interest in the project already including the entire student council of Neuqua Valley High school so with those volunteers (and a lot of packaging tape) we will be stacking and packing them starting early in the morning!

Are there any special requirements or procedures you have to go through to get an official world record?

Still awaiting that word from Guinness. As of right now, any previous attempts are just on the internet (current record is 1,500 by BYU students).

Cinderella or Princess Peach?

Cinderella… Hands down! Maybe because I consider myself to be more of a Prince Charming than a Mario… Even though the ladies don’t necessarily agree.

Don’t worry Blake, we don’t think you’re a Mario! If you would like to take part in this exciting project, donate or go for a family day out, keep your eyes on Blake’s website for more details!

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The Die Line Paper Craft Challenge

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Recently popular packaging design website The Die Line have been running a challenge to create some great paper craft work. The winner will receive tickets to their conference in San Fransisco. The theme for the competition is Elevate, to encourage designers to elevate their packaging design skills, along with the idea of paper craft and packaging design in general (also coincidentally the name for their packaging design conference). This has created some interesting work and The Die Line has shared the finalists for the public to choose the winners. Here are some of my favourites from the final 9 along with the winner.

Design by David Regier

I love this design as it gets the point across that packaging can be anything, it doesn’t have to be for a product and for its marketing – it can be what we package our own possessions in. I also enjoy the idea that he has used the background to get his message across not just the paper craft its self.

Design by Justin C

I also enjoy this design because it uses a background to get across its message. This time however I am not quite sure what the message is. Paper craft is the perfect way to interact with cows and aliens perhaps? Either way, the abstract element is another reason why I enjoy it so much.

 

The Winner!

Design by Stephanie Tudtud

This design is definitely deserving of the first spot. It has depth, perspective and an element of detail that we don’t see the same in the others. It also is a quite simple concept which doesn’t use the letters or even the word elevate at all.

What do you think of the finalists? Who was your favourite?

 

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Packaging Design of the Week!

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This week we have picked just one design for its simplicity, refreshing design and squeaky clean values. The cocktail anchor is a fantastic product with a genius piece of packaging surround it. Originally made from sterling silver it has since been made with plastics giving it the element of colour. It can be placed in cocktails either to keep your twist of lemon towards the bottom of the glass or skewered fruit at the top of the glass for you to eat them. 

Images from The Die Line

The new range of plastic cocktail anchors have a great new packaging design which not only functions as a product on its own but also helps to store and clean the anchors. The clear plastic cocktail shaker is the perfect packaging for the multicoloured anchors and unifies the whole range. 10% of the profits made from the sales of this new range of anchors go towards the rebuilding of Hoboken which was destroyed by Hurricane Sandy.

Have you seen any other virtuous packaging designs that deserve a mention? Let us know in the comments or on Twitter!

 

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Packaging Design Roundup of the Week!

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This week has been great for new packaging design, from well known global brands like The Body Shop to foreign unheard of brands such as Freia Melkebart.

The Body Shop have teamed up with Leona Lewis to create a cruelty free makeup range with some beautiful, feminine design.

Image from Sweet and Bitter

The floral illustrated deer is beautiful and the spring/summer colour scheme really compliments the colours of the products themselves. The whole design is clean, fresh and coherent across all products.

Do not be fooled into thinking that ‘Safeway Select Gelato’ is from the same Safeway that lives somewhere as a faded memory in the back of the minds of those old enough to remember. This is an American company which, by the looks of their packaging design, is still alive and well.

Image from The Die Line

The imagery has had some real thought put into it, the layout and shape combines with where it sits on the packaging and what colour the flavour title is. The coloured lids also really define the flavours. Despite the different imagery, the whole range all looks coherent and the branding and typography works really well to give off that luxury product vibe.

Freia Melkebart is a leading chocolate brand in Norway and they have hit a global trend with this new packaging design. Melkebart means milk mustache and they have taken this directly into their new packaging design.

Image from Scandinavian Design Group

It was an unintentional stumble upon a popular culture trend which has lead to a great marketing campaign and a well loved product. With all the hype around mustaches and with four different styles to choose from you can see why this packaging is great for social media awareness and broadcasting.

There has been a great array of wonderful packaging designs this week and these were only a select few. If you think there are some others worthy of mention then let me know on twitter or Facebook!

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Bubble Wrap Sumo Suits Featured on itv2!

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If you happened to be watching itv2 last night you might have noticed their channel advert in which two women at a party are dressed in sumo suits made of bubble wrap. Not only have they made quite convincing and well structured suits, they have also used printed ‘Fragile’ tape to add to the detail. Popular opinion in many places suggests that it could be a new YouTube video trend, what do you think? Does it have the makings of the next Harlem shake?

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