Studio 2911

I grew up in a household where drinking tea is a big part of life. If I had a headache, upset stomach, or tired, my parents would jump up and fix me a cup of tea. To tell you the truth I hated drinking tea growing up. The flavour always seemed bland and the packaging was so boring. Since then, a lot has changed in the tea world. They’re more companies which has caused the competition to become cut throat. The only way these companies can separate themselves from each other is through better ingredients and creative packaging. Below are some of my favorite tea brands.

Yogi Tea

I credit Yogi Tea for my appreciation of tea. Ironically, I had my first experience with henna when I saw their packaging in the store. The design doesn’t just stop on the outside. They’re inspirational messages on the tea bags as well. *Note – Yogi Tea has changed their packaging, which I will blog about later, but I wanted to show this package design because it’s my favorite.

STASH Premium Tea

This packaging is a perfect example of how design is used to solve a problem. Instead of having to open the box to grab your tea bag, they have designed a opening in the front that dispenses the tea bag for you. A great idea for a culture that appreciates anything that will save them five seconds.

The Republic of Tea

I’m a fan of oversized type. Not only does the type draw the shopper in, but the titles do as well. If you’re in the advertising industry then you know your purpose is to tell the viewer what they need and make them believe it’s your product that can satisfy that need. The Republic of Tea does just that. Do you want to “get happy”? Then drink this tea and you will.

Tazo

There’s no denying that color can create a lasting impact. The tea boxes really grab your eye when they are lined up on the shelf. It’s also a clever idea for repeat buyers who, instead of reading, grab the color they want. How many times have you forgotten the name of something and had to describe it based on color?

Tea Forte

For their packaging, Tea Forte went outside the box; literally! What a creative way to present a product that’s been packaged in a square for years. Not only does the design carry a creative impact, but it has a purpose. The pyramid shape of the tea bag was designed to allow the tea to swell as it steeps; which helps with the flavour. The design is so unique that it has been trademarked.

I live for great concepts! Harper’s Bazaar does just that with their September 2010 issue. Jennifer Aniston channels Barbara Streisand’s days as “Funny Girl”. My mom and I like to watch “Funny Girl” together. We’re both enamored with the hair and fashion styles of that era. My mom still asks me “So when are you going to become a Sadie Lady (aka married lady)?”

Thumbs up to the creative team at Harper’s Bazaar.

Here is some footage on the making of the cover shoot.

“Don’t Rain on My Parade” – Barbara Streisand, “Funny Girl”

Philosophy is one of my favorite skin care lines on the market. Before the massive “green, spiritual, organic, good for the soul” movement Philosophy was packaging their products in simple bottles that carried words of inspiration. These words have such power that if they catch me on the wrong day I may just tear up. According to their own mission, Philosophy wants to “to bring its customers products that inspire them to live a better life by being better to themselves.” So go ahead, get beautified and inspired!

hope in a jar
where there is hope there can be faith. where there is faith miracles can occur.

when hope is not enough
to expect is to be disappointed. to surrender to what will be is to know peace. in each moment of our short life, we have the choice to be grateful or dwell in the unhappy space of this is not enough. the answer to all questions related to hope or disappointment is simple. practice eternal gratitude for each high and low note, and you will be dancing with the stars.

be somebody water lily lotion
if you want to be somebody, look within. you are a vibrant being full of promise. you are transformed through acts of purity and grace for the sake of others. stay rooted in your connection to all things. float above opposition with positive energy. feel your soul blossom with goodness and compassion. what you give eventually comes back to you. you can never be too good. let your beauty unfold. you are somebody.

the great mystery
the great mystery is the great debate. people ask “how” the universe was created, when the more important question is “why” it was created at all.

I’m digging the Levi’s 2010 Go Forth Campaign. Below are samples of the print ads to promote the Boyfriend Collection. The photography, black and white photos, and the red logo makes for a great concept. However, I think this campaign owes itself to the creative copy. A powerful design is a must but well written copy can bring any design to a new level of excellence. Kuddos to whoever chose the handwritten font.

For a brand that’s been around for more than 150 years, Levi’s is doing a great job of keeping themselves relevant and creative.

I found this video on Fly Girl’s blog and I just had to repost. The concept is nothing short of amazing! Radiolab and NPR Present Words:

Credits:
From the collaboration of Will Hoffman and Daniel Mercadante to accompany Radiolab’s Words episode. Original score by Keith Kenniff.
Radiolab’s Words episode: http://blogs.wnyc.org/radiolab/2010/0…
Everynone: http://everynone.com/
Keith Kenniff: http://www.unseen-music.com

Or that’s the way the saying goes, but when it comes to actual books and their covers I’m all for judgment. It’s hard for me to pay any attention to a book whose cover design doesn’t jump out at me. Maybe that’s the designer in me. I’ve had many friends hand me a book and say “Here, you should read this.” They begin to tell me about the characters and plot; which becomes white noise because all I can think about is “Who chose this font?” and “Couldn’t they find a better image?”

It’s terrible. I know, but at the end of the day it’s reality. We do judge books by their cover because it’s the first thing we see. The first impression is a lasting impression.

Here are some of my favorite book covers. I like them because the concepts were so strong that they made me want to know more about the book. Note: This list is definitely not comprehensive. I tried to get samples from each genre i.e. illustration, photography, type treatments, etc…

Starting at the top, from left to right
1. “I Ain’t Gonna Gossip in Church No More” – Korey Deon Davis
Art Director and Layout: Karie Williams
Illustrator: Courtney Huddleston
*Yes this is my work but it still is one of my favorite book covers.

2. “Eat, Pray, Love” – Elizabeth Gilbert
Design: Helen Yentus
Photographer: John Saponara

3. “Things Fall Apart” – Chinua Achebe
Designer: Edel Rodriguez

4. “No Country For Old Men” -Cormac McCarthy
Design: David Pearson

5. “Open” – Andre Agassi
Design: Carol Devine Carson
*A photo with text is so common, however, it works for me with this book. It definitely had a presence on the shelves.

6. “I Am Not Sidney Poitier” – Percival Everett
Design: Kapo Ng@A-Men Project
* I came across this cover while doing research for this blog and I just loved it. From the title I was expecting the book to be about a man opposite to Sidney Poitier. However, the characters name is Not Sidney Poitier. Genious….

Love him or hate him, Kanye West is back. Here’s a sneak to the video “Power”; and in true Kanye fashion, he’s going all out with the creativity. I’ve seen the video three times and every time is like the first. Check it out and tell me what you think.

Credits:
Production Company: Stink | Director: Marco Brambilla | Executive Producer: Daniel Bergmann | Producer: Anna Smith | Producer: Jonathan Lia | Director of Photography: Martin Ahlgren | VFX Supervisor: Steve Mottershead | CG Artist: Christian Moreton | Art Director: Babak Radboy | Set Decorator: Tina Ninotchka | Stylist: Mel Ottenburg | Editorial/Post Production: Art Jail | Post/Effects: Nice Shoes | CD/Flame Artist: Aron Baxter | Colorist: Ron Sudul | Executive Producer: Maribeth Phillips