TheDieline.com: The Leading Package Design Blog

Kohler Chocolates

Kohler Chocolates makes several enticing chocolate products. Their bars are packaged very nicely and have a very elegant feel. The story behind Kohler is interesting. Destination Kohler is a resort/spa in Kohler, Wisconsin in the US. The parent company owns several international businesses. Many people know the Kohler name from kitchen and bath fixtures - this is actually only one of the companies under the Kohler name. It's interesting to see chocolate and plumbing fixtures under the same brand name, that's for sure. Still, they manage to keep everything distinct from each other. At the show, they told me the Kohler Resorts was making chocolates for sale within the resort itself. But, due to demand for their popular chocolates, they decided to make them available to the general public as retail products.

Pretend Product Packaging

Just as I am working on a post about fictional product packaging—or reverse product placement—I start seeing posters for this new goth-inspired energy drink, Tru-Blood. Only it’s really a campaign for “True Blood,” a new TV show on HBO.

Still, if the show is a success, it seems like only a matter of time that this will become a real pretend product—(like Willy Wonka candy bars, Bertie Bott’s Every Flavor Beans, Brawndo Energy Drink, etc.)

Although all the bottles and labels are red, the product line is differentiated by letter, according to the different blood types—(O, A, B, & AB).

(Designed by  Campfire)

box vox

Sweet Content

Limited edition design by Evgeny Kiselev.

PLEO

"The challenge was to create a new brand (including identity, look and feel, and packaging structure) for the launch of Ugobe’s first Lifeform PLEO. PLEO is an autonomous robot that displays emotions and interacts with its environment. One of the keys to the proposition was ensuring that PLEO was seen as pet-like consumer electronics product and not a toy. We visualized this on the package by having a key image of PLEO walking away from you on the front on the pack, breaking category conventions and communicating autonomy."

Designed by San Francisco based Perspective Branding.

Sero2

Sero2, designed by Curious Design, is a "new beverage that restores serotonin levels, which reinforces your sense of well-being and purpose in life."

Trillium Absinthe

Trillium Absinthe is one of the first legally produced absinthes in the United States. Its from Integrity Spirits in Portland Oregon and was designed by ID Branding, the same folks who did the amazing 12 Bridges Gin and Lovejoy Vodka.

"The bottle has a distinct shape that communicates the elegance and ritual of absinthe. The botanicals used to make the absinthe are represented on the outside of the bottle in the label design. The bottle itself, is sealed with a wax cap. The layers of the design echo the complexity of the absinthe within.

Lily Chow, a close friend was designer. I was Art Director and QA throughout production. It took a long 6 months to go through government regulations. The bottle, and booze, are perfect. Congrats to everyone involved!" - Jared Milam, Principal Designer - ID Branding

 

Olio & Spices - Fancy Food Show 2008

At the NYC Fancy Food Show earlier this month, I had the pleasure of meeting the folks behind Olio & Spices, an Israeli company with knock-out good sauces, spices and other great food products.  My favorite product line in their collection are these sauces. The solid band of color differentiates them easily, while witty ink draw characters add loads of personality to each bottle. A paper-wrapped cover on the lid highlights the gourmet nature of these products.

Packaging and branding by Tel Aviv-based PM Designers (Sharon Michaeli), who collaborated with illustrators Einat Peled and Michal Bonano.

I wasn't the only one to notice their great packaging - in  2006 Communication Arts awarded their spice  blend series (continue reading for an image of the spice blends and more...)

(thank you, Erez!)

Envy

The new HP Voodoo Envy 133 is set to hit the market. After years of hearing about Apple's packaging being second-to-none (beautiful, intuitive, gift-like, experiential, etc, etc.), we might actually have found an equal. From The Next Bench website (official Voodoo community):

Our packaging expert Allison worked with our ID folks to design the Envy 133 presentation box to look somewhat like a tiffany box. It lifts up like a hat box to reveal a wonderful presentation, including the Envy 133 wrapped in a microfiber polish sleeve.

I just love the presentation of it all – the slip cover case, the "fashion" tags, the notch in the box to aid removal, and the gray and orange color scheme. All very well thought out and executed. It really makes the opening experience a bit more special.

[Photos by Michael Soo from Soo Photography.]

EOS - Evolution of Smooth

"The evolution of smooth, today announced the debut of their beauty brand and the release of their launch product, ultra moisturizing shave cream. The first shave cream that truly reflects a woman's sensibility, it reinvents the modern women's shaving experience and raises the bar for efficacy and design... eos is packaged in a sleek, ergonomic bottle made of soft-touch, recyclable plastic that won't leave a rust ring in the shower."

NORWICH School of Art & Design Graduates

I'm slowly compiling the graduate work from Norwich School of Art & Design, some lovely work this year, and most importantly, some great ideas. I'm going to keep adding to this, so keep checking in!