Shillington College

Mads Jakob Poulsen @ NYC Apple Store

Danish Designer Mads Jakob Poulsen will be at the Apple Store SoHo, NYC on March 28, 2011 presenting their work and thoughts on graphic design. Previously a senior designer at Wolff Olins, one talent to admire and keep an eye on. Check out the amazing work.

Guest lecturer - Gary at Packaging Formats

 




Today we have had the lovely Gary from Packaging Formats in to talk to our full time class in Manchester. Working as a Packaging Consultant, Gary work's closely with designers bringing a comprehensive knowledge of materials and processes to help create the right creative packaging solution for their clients. He had a vast selection of work with him today to show the students, introducing them to the wonderful world of packaging and materials. Check out his work www.packagingformats.co.uk

Story Telling in packaging.

I recently discovered a small film about the Mast brothers in Brooklyn NY. These artisan chocolate makers ( as I hear it from the residents its awesome chocolate). What I found particularly interesting was how there philosophy manifests itself into the packaging, the solution is simple, elegant and says a great deal about the Mast Brothers. Very aspect of the product is considered. Check out the beautiful packs below and get a load of the crazy beard work on the brothers (all kinds of awesome).

The Magazine 'The Scout' wrote: The life of a mariner is one given over to wanderlust—the quest for adventure, crossing unseen horizons to secure precious goods—only to bring them back to their home port. This same love of adventure and curiosity defines the brotherhood of Rick and Michael Mast. They share a fiercely independent spirit, leaping into the unknown and trusting that they’ll find the answer through endurance and dedication to their craft.

They began their voyage in their apartment, using a homemade machine to process cacao beans. Over time they cultivated their creation, sourcing beans from family farms in Madagascar, Venezuela, the Dominican Republic, and Ecuador. Each bar is handmade with incredible reverence for the process and history of chocolate. They are bound in ornamental papers and golden foil like a collection of rare books. Each bar offers its own story of flavors, and no two are exactly alike.

 

In a recent guest lecture by Tony Ibbotson of the Creative Method, Sydney he highlighted the emphasis or need for story telling in packaging, be it fictional, or factual, based on the product or its producers. This was just one of the valuable insights into the workings of a packaging project. Check out their packaging projects at thecreativemethod.com in particular Real McCoy and Saint Clair Pioneer Block.

 

Unicorn Meat... Yummy!

Be Inspired By Packaging

This is a great site to be inspired by. It covers all areas of packaging and conveniently categorises things into the particular industry and even substrate! Check out the link http://www.thedieline.com

Art of the Arcade

No one ever goes the arcade anymore. In my day (a child of the late seventies and eighties) this is where everyone hung out, got into trouble and smoked cigarettes under age.  

This site has an awesome selection of arcade and early game console artwork including packaging, logos and ads from various sources featuring stuff like the atari logo and the pong console packaging. 

A great deal of designers today seem to revisit some of the styling from this period. I am sure it will pass.Remember when looking at this artwork this was done before the advent of the of the mac and applications like illustrator. Probably all of it was done by hand.

Interested? Check it out at 'The Art of the Arcade'. 

The Museum of Brands, Packaging and Advertising In London!

Exciting news for all you packaging enthusiasts, the Museum of Brands, Packaging and Advertising has moved to Notting Hill. This is a perfect opportunity to check out posters, magazines, fads and fashions and of course packaging from Victorian times through to present day. Click on the link to find out more...http://www.museumofbrands.com/visitus.html

AisleOne THE BEST DESIGN BLOG EVER PERIOD.

I have yet to visit AisleOne and be disappointed by the selection of work Antonio Carusone posts everyday.
If I had to say which site is the one stop shop for inspiration it would be this one. I eagerly await his email updates everyday. It covers every aspect and facet of graphic design with truly inspirational examples. His sites slogan 'An inspirational resource focused on graphic design, typography, grid systems, minimalism and modernism.' sums it up perfectly.

Join his newsletter. I have this site set has my home page when I open up my browser. I strongly recommend you do the same.

Check this out. If not, may god strike you blind!

Packaging Inspiration

Click here for some creative packaging ideas. That sponge is sooo cheesy :-)

Packaging vs. The actual product

Here's a great link for today - check out the examples of the packaging versus the actual product to see how it matches up. Are you really buying what is on the packaging? Click here.