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Every morning when I go into Wawa to grab my iced coffee, I pass the infamous Tastykake & Entenmann’s displays. Some mornings, I can almost taste the Entenmann’s Coffee cake or Raspberry Danish Twist. But what I didn’t know, is that Entenmann’s makes coffee too?!

Did you know that?

Imagine putting some of those irresistible flavors not only on your plate, but in your morning cup! Of course, my mouth again began to water as I was fixated on the imagery and of course the idea in general. Here is a look at the old packaging:

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However, with consumer testing, although blue is their signature color, consumers opted for the use of white as the background color.

What do you think?

 

 

My thoughts are that this white gives it more of a premium look. I think the simplicity really makes the product stand out. Each flavor is color coordinated and the text gives off a lighter feeling rather than bold or heavy. Even the gradient within the variety/flavor name exudes a lighter more upscale feel.

The photography again is simple–no fuss, no fancy set up or props, all on white–straight to the point. There is coffee in a cup, beans in the back, the variety is pictured next to it and mentioned below. Not to mention, this package gives Entenmann’s a second product plug in using photography of their already existing baked treats! Double Whammy!

 

 

 

 

 

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When using the word retro, it often refers to something that has been outdated. A trend that has came and went, a style of the past, but now has become the norm once again. Describing something as retro normally dates at about 15 to 20 years back. Most of the “retro” items include clothing, style, music and even history.

How about packaging? You hear the phrase, “throw back,” (which is a more modern way to say retro in my opinion) that shows how packaging used to be back 15, 20 even 30 years ago.

A lot of companies use these as a way to celebrate their growth, milestones, in seeing how far they have come or where they started. But with many companies taking a loss in sales, some are doing it as a way to cut costs–which for designers is bad news.

Check out some releases in 2011

May 2011

Doritos Taco Flavor

Pepsi Throwback

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Have more? post them!

 

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John was my advanced typography professor at Drexel, and as you can see he is very talented. When it comes to ambigrams, he is the world’s foremost authority. His work can be seen in Dan Brown’s Angels and Demons, and he is in fact part of the inspiration for the the story’s protagonist, Robert Langdon. Even the hair made it to the big-screen via Tom Hanks’ questionable quasi-mullet.

Check out more HERE.

 

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This man knows how to get things done. I always admire someone who is so dedicated to what they love.

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In a world of highly photoshopped photography, ubiquitous type treatments, drop shadows and lens flares, it’s refreshing to see design that holds it roots in traditional practice. It’s important to remember that a computer program is a tool–and not a shortcut to effective design. Often, it’s necessary to rid a design of any elements that would not be able to be produced by physical tools, whether it be ink on paper, film, silk-screen, woodblock or letterpress. In all areas of design, one must consider the origins of each element, such as the lead bars that separated lines of wood type, now digitized as ‘leading’ that adjusts with the click of a mouse.

 

Below are striking examples of movie posters that honor traditional methods, giving them rich, vintage-inspired compositions. Though surely produced with the help of computers, each maintains an honesty that is becoming increasingly difficult to find.

 

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Color coding is one of the greatest tools in a designer’s bag of tricks. Color can accomplish so many things without a change in form or content. This allows a brand’s product range to be completely unique from variety to variety, while maintaining a cohesive brand ‘look’. Each variety—through color—may connect with the consumer instantly. The consumer can identify and select the variety that they have come to know and love, quickly and easily. Color becomes an emotion; an instinct; and may elevate expanding brands to an iconic level.

Check out some beautiful and effective examples below:

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