Canadian Winter Survival Kit

What do you need to survive the winter in Canada? Check out this awesome survival kit after the jump.

"The goal of this project was to design a kit that needed to be assembled. A minimum of four products with designed labels was required. The idea of a Canadian Winter Survival Kit was born and the logo, labels and packaging were designed.    The kit contains a pair of wool socks, a lift ticket, a condom, 3 bottles of beer, 3 bottles of Screech and an instruction card.  The instruction card was designed to accomodate the lift ticket, which slips into a sleeve to hold it in place, and the “convelope” which houses the condom is affixed to the front of the sleeve.  This card then slides into the box. The housing itself is an icon of Canadian beer, the 6 pack.       Each label features a hand drawn illustration that changes based on the item.  A lumberjack for the socks, deer antlers for the condom, a snowflake for the lift ticket, a maple leaf for the beer bottles and a cod fish for the screech bottles.  A red and black plaid pattern was used throughout the project to tie the separate items together and serve as a reminder of Canadiana.  The humorous take on the kit reflects the good natured sense of Canadians, the ability to laugh at ourselves. By playing off of well known Canadian “stereotypes”, the kit is a fun and unique tribute to the Great White North, helping all Canadians get through our long winters."

Designed by Beth Chapleau

Comments

[oliver]

great colors ...

[Sam]

Meh. The design certainly "plays off" of Canadian stereotypes of the country being boring and depressing.

[Danny]

I would have to agree with Sam. The colour choices for this are very depressing. Also that typeface (gotham?) is overused too much...a very boring and generic way to represent such a wonderful country.

[Clayton]

I find this insulting...and poorly designed.

[Miss A]

I love the idea. Although I have a few suggestions for improvement.
Kit should come with a 26'er of Screetch - not in beer bottles - Newfie rum to start the night off, and 4 beers to finish the job!
I like the simple font as the main brand design (playing off Molson Canadian - I get it), but the lift ticket (which should also say Banff Lake Louise - lets face it, I've never been there either, but if you're gonna go Canadian, giver with the best we got!) AND the condom should have a little more, ahem, personality. Play it up with different font choices that are bold and more fun.
Names: Socks, Beer, Screech, lift ticket, etc. - if you're going simple, stay simple. ;)

[Beth Chapleau]

Just a note to Danny/Clayton, the trolling commenter in Toronto... your IP address gives you away. I think it's sad that have nothing better to do.

People are entitled to their opinions, not sure why some would find this project boring, depressing or poorly designed... the blog coverage my work has been getting would say otherwise.

[Sam]

Beth, you said you were playing off of the misconception that Canada is "boring and depressing." The idea is funny and interesting; it's the execution of it that does not necessarily enhance or debunk the myth that you were "playing off of." The color choices and stark layout seem to support the idea of boring, rather than the fun and lightheartedness that is the core of your concept. If it doesn't knock people sock's off (pun intended), then it's not exactly groundbreaking--and I think that's what visitors to this site are expecting. We're also expecting a dialogue. We don't have to agree, but packaging has to be effective. There's no gray area there.

[Beth Chapleau]

Sam, I didn't state anywhere that I was playing off of the misconception that Canada is boring and depressing. I stated that I was playing off of well known Canadian stereotypes; for example our love of beer and hockey, that our winters last all year, we live in igloos, etc.

Like I said, you're entitled to your opinion but don't be putting words in my mouth.

For a student project, it was never the plan to produce it, it was a project to have fun with and it's something I'm proud to have in my portfolio.

[Sam]

"Depressing and boring" were my words, not yours. I wasn't attempting to misquote you. I WOULD say that those traits are stereotypes of Canada--and hockey, too. Second of all, I'm glad you're proud of this project. We are often our worst critics, so it is important to be proud of yourself. However, if you're this defensive of your work on this forum, I'm fearful of how you will deal with clients and the design world at large. It's also important to remember that constructive feedback is not personal.

[Jake]

"However, if you're this defensive of your work on this forum, I'm fearful of how you will deal with clients and the design world at large"

I strongly agree with this. Beth needs to step back and take some criticism. Don't get so defensive over others comments. Like you said "people are entitled to their own opinions" so let it go. Don't go on about your work being featured on blogs etc. Just cause its on a blog doesn't mean its class A design. Get over yourself.