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Starbucks - back to basics

 
(Photo: Powerbooktrance via Flickr)

After 37 years, Starbucks has gone back to its roots with their new "Pike Place Roast" and redesign of the iconic cup. The retro logo showcases a modified version of the original "siren" logo designed by Terry Heckler. (You'll notice that this one is a bit more PC).

Although, is it still a redesign if it's an old design? The design is part of a back to basics campaign focusing on the history of the brand, and establishing their place as coffee experts - but is only a temporary move. So if you're a fan of the green logo, have no fear, it will return.

So what do we think? I personally like the return to their roots. I like the brown color-scheme and the historical reference. If nothing else, it really makes you look twice, as we're so conditioned to seeing the Starbucks green. It's no secret that Starbucks sales have been down lately... they've rapidly opened stores, created drive-thru windows, and have started offering all kinds of food and beverage options, that have diluted their original brand. They also have a lot of competition from the likes of Dunkin' Donuts and McDonalds, which all now offer coffee and espresso drinks. Perhaps this marks the beginning of a return to what Starbucks does best - good coffee.

Click here for a brief history on the Starbucks logo.

 

Paul smith sunshine edition

Paul Smith has launched Sunshine, a limited edition fragrance duo for men & women.

Agency: Aboud Sodano

 

YOLO Colorhouse Paint

YOLO Colorhouse is a brand of environmentally-friendly paints. The packaging pays homage to the environment with a background of botanical imagery. The overall effect of the packaging is elegant and refined - both surprising qualities for paint packaging. The branding and packaging were designed by YaM Brand of Seattle, WA.

Continue for more pictures, courtesy of YOLO Colorhouse and Yam Brand...

(thanks, Angela!)

Sweetwaters Café

How do you stand out in today's café market place, and identify a warm and inviting place for friends and neighbors to meet over a specially prepared coffee or tea? That is the challenge the team at Pryor Design Co. faced when asked to create an identity system for the Sweetwaters Café.

When Sweetwaters Café approached the team at Pryor Design, they had 2 locations in Ann Arbor, Michigan and a budding brand. Scott Pryor described his team's approach to building the Sweetwaters Café brand:

They're known for having a uniquely Asian feel, but they've been careful to retain a personal, neighborhood quality. Above all, their offerings are of the highest quality featuring an extensive line of coffees and two lines of specialty teas. Overall, our goal was to creatively and strategically position their brand identity and their products to reflect the tone of the Sweetwaters Café experience.

The result, a mark that reflects the Asian heritage paired casual with tasty typography for a inviting yet modern feel.

Method Refill Packaging

The new design for Method's hand soap refill packaging is starting to hit store shelves across the US.  The new packaging design features a white background as opposed to clear and has full color photos of the relevant soap bottle the refill is intended for. 

Design was done by Method in-house to address concerns over readability of the previous clear version.  The pouch is the same stock pouch from Winpack International outside San Francisco.

Sustainable is Good

Mille Miel

Simple, yet pretty and effective label design for Mille Miel honey from France. Some practical and smart ideas that I noticed were:

• Each jar has a different label color in a distinct, fresh shade - this helps consumers pick out the one they want easier - they also merchandise beautifully together on a shelf.
• The layout is very simple and easy to read.
• The black lid adds a bit of elegance, which was tied into the labels with black print.
• The more unique jar makes up for the spare (and slightly generic) look of the label design.
• The 2-color print job is very cost effective. A good designer should always try to look for ways their client can reduce cost without sacrificing quality.
• The one-label design incorporates the tamper-evidence seal which is cheaper to produce than a separate seal and less time/cost required for hand application. The seal also gives the jar a more gourmet look.

All pretty basic points, but these practical considerations are the kinds of things behind successful packaging.

Continue reading for more close-up images.

Cardboard box set

Special designed cardboard box set by Örgüt Çaylı

 

Daylesford Organic

Lovely simple, elegant packaging from a large independant organic farm in England called Daylesford. Designed by Teresa Roviras. The food is gorgeous too.