This post is the second in a series of 4 posts sponsored by Syfy’s Caprica focused on Future Technologies. As usual, our fun advertisers enable us do our thing around a theme by trusting us when it comes to content!
Ryan Mc Sorley just sent over some images of his product design final project at Central Saint Martins - Skin by Chanel. While at first glance it seems bizarre and perhaps even more low tech on the surface than you’d expect for a “future tech” post… it really sparked some playful conversations on where skincare may take us in the future. But first, here’s his concept! It plays with the idea of skincare and branding ~ looking at the skincare market and how far people go to primp their skin, “Just as we can define ourselves through the brands of clothing we wear, or the brand of mobile phone we have, we can now define ourselves by the brand of skincare product we use. If you are using skincare by Chanel, you want people to know that your skin is by Chanel, in the same way that Chanel handbags have clear branding, why shouldn’t our skin.” In his design, in addition to your cleanser, toner, lotion, you can also leave a logo impression on your skin! Yes, the type that appears when you sit in short shorts on a rattan chair for example. It fades in a few hours, but you look pretty silly until then.
While i can’t say i buy in to the logic, nor do i love overly branded goods, it did get me thinking about the future of branding and technology. Imagine if the lotion itself had the ability to create those branded impressions. Or if the samples created a brand on your cheek… unlocking the full version gave you the full experience brand free? Much like software? Or what if tattoos came in creme form? Or imagine if you are what you eat, and small symbols appeared on the skin of your wrist showing what you are made of ~ fun motivation to get some eating healthier? So many random ideas keep popping up… see more picture of Ryan Mc Sorley’s Skin by Chanel project on the next page!
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On Los Angeles field trips, i took a little trip over to the Baxter of California HQ last week and met up with president, Jean-Pierre Mastey, a fellow mini haribo gummi bear and packaging design junkie ~ he’s also passionate about boxing, cars, men’s skincare… and japanese, Head Porter bags! I am so excited to share a peek into their world… so fun to get to see the products waiting to go out, some of the R&D in progress, and even some amazing retro barbershop accoutrements and playful art and design… it was also awesome to get a peek into his packaging design library! Take a look at JP’s desk up there, that juxtaposition of objects sums up his well rounded background quite nicely!
Beyond the peek into the world of Baxter of California on the next page ~ JP has also been generous enough to give one of you lucky readers the new Porter collaboration Baxter Dopp Bag filled with Baxter travel sized goods - Face Wash, Oil Free Moisturizer, Super Close Shave Formula, After Shave Balm, Daily Protein Shampoo, and a special edition Baxter anodized aluminum travel shave brush produced just for this kit in Black. I was jealous enough of this being a men’s product, i bought one for myself… it’s a fabulous dopp kit! With three removable velcro’d sections! With stunning details you’d expect from Porter, it is the ultimate flexible travel kit! See more images and details on the giveaway here!
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This is Garrett Smith's brilliantly simple table support for heavy backpacks that doubles as as a massager for back 'knots' caused by heavy backpacks! Or... purses? Perfect for all of us ladies with the giant ever growing purses and those silly table hangers barely hold them up sometimes (not that i'd trust my dslr to be suspended in a busy restaurant by one!)... And the massager option is so nice... except for the part where you'd need someone with you to help implement it properly? Anyhow ~ this is one of many fun projects being shown by SAIC in Milan this year!
Get a preview of the many projects and exhibitions here... Garrett Smith's project is part of the THE EXPANDING CLASSROOM Exhibition - News ways to live and learn - at FuoriSalone - Danese Milano April 22 - 27 at Via Canova 34-20145 Milan, Italy. "Students from SAIC, in collaboration with Danese Milano and American designer Jonathan Olivares, examined contemporary behaviors and contexts of education, study, and learning." See more images of this project on the next page...
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Another adventure in packaging based shopping... Colgate Wisps! Keep in mind i knew nothing about these when i wandered into CVS to pick up some last minute travel sized basics for this sudden Singapore trip, and they were intriguingly packaged and designed... tiny, silly, and not sure that i'd buy them for normal usage... but someone clearly spent quite a bit of time on the packaging/product details! So take a peek at some pics of them up close on the next page ~ and a look at the silly marketing angle they've taken as well (aimed at club kids?)...
And in all honesty ~ its a lot of plastic to basically get a tiny melt in your mouth bead of mouthwash into your mouth as you scrub with some harsh plasticiness...
p.s.
This week long Singapore trip came up last minute (booked the night before leaving!) ~ so things might be a little quiet this week as i put in some family time!
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TO WIN: Leave a comment ~ with where you would go if you could jet set anywhere! ENTER BY 12/15. WINNER: Rabbit in NC!
NOTCOT Holiday Giveaway #27 ~ and it's a big one! Wejetset is ready to hook one reader up with the ultimate travel upgrade, and their founder Taj knows my tastes far too well, since he picked so many NOTCOT faves in this bundle... From the incredibly sleek, can't be missed, minimal Hideo Wakamatsu Wave (Red) Carry-on, to one of my favorite laptop sleeves, Incase Krink 15" Laptop Sleeve, to the Baxter Travel Kit from our favorite men's line, to the adorably understated Field Notes to doodle during your trip, and even STPL Socks, so that during the security line, even your socks are looking good! Clearly Wejetset does not mess around when outfitting you for your next jetsetting adventure... here's one way to go home for the holidays in style (and pampered comfort!)
So here's what you can win in this instant travel makeover of a bundle (over $500 of goods!)
+ Hideo Wave (Red)
+ Baxter Travel Kit
+ Incase Krink 15" Laptop Sleeve
+ Field Notes (3 pack)
+ STPL Socks (Grey & White - 2 pairs)
So are you ready? For a chance to win this, leave a comment about where you would go if you could jet set anywhere tomorrow! I know we could all use a vacation right about now!!!
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I couldn't resist posting these after opening the email made me giggle... sure it was filled with potty humor and bad puns, but it was also a cute idea and some cleanly designed matchbooks from the always beautifully packaged men's grooming line, Baxter of California...
"BAXTER LAUNCHES AN AIR-STRIKE: 12.03.08
Baxter of California, the first men's grooming brand, is notorious for gifting mini Haribo Gummi Bears with each online purchase. Starting today, Baxter is giving web customers a free box of custom Air-Strike matches. The matchbooks are a satirical play on on the idea of lighting up after using the bathroom. Get 'em while you "can"!"
Also check out some of the gorgeous holiday gifts they have this year!
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Last week i showed you the packaging from Jurlique's Beauty from Beauty Tester Kit of minis that came in the egg carton like packaging with adorable little scaled down frosted glass bottles! Well Jurlique was kind of enough to contact me, and sent some samples from the new line, and the packaging and opening experience of the new Jurlique Biodynamic Beauty Serum is awesome! I got so giddy i opened and closed it a few times before photographing the whole process for you and then scanning the full piece. Why is it so amazing? I love that they used a single piece for the packaging, which utilizes origami folding genius and a single tab that goes into a slit to hold it all together, and as you open it, it feels as if it presents the bottle to you in a surprisingly colorful interior, as well as putting more information about the product around the bottle... basically as soon as you pull out the tab, the box unfolds like a flower, really creating a a beautiful unboxing experience. Awesome box design!
Beyond that excitement, you also have to take a look at the branding and packaging on the other products as well, they've managed to keep things looking natural and eco friendly, while still luxurious in their simplicity and use of recycled materials, clean fonts, and matte medicinal tubes (where you have to puncture it with the cap to open it), as well as my favorite slightly rounded - squarish - indented on the sides - frosted glass bottles which feel so great in your hand. They also scaled these glass bottles really nicely, so you can see a pic with the large Rosewater Balancing Mist, with the medium Biodynamic Beauty Serum, and then one of the minis from last time.
Ok, so i'm totally in a packaging gushing mood with Jurlique ~ and i've had a chance to try out the minis from the kit for a little while now, and i must say i'm impressed - it has all been extremely natural and effective, and awesomely calming in this stressful holiday season so far! (Favorites so far - Soothing Herbal Recovery Gel and my old favorite that i have in the not so fancy new packaging is their Rose Body Lotion) I'll keep you posted as i try out more of their products ~ but for now, check out how sweet the packaging is through the pics on the next page ~ and if you're feeling crafty, this box design could make for some gorgeous gift wrapping!
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Oooh, on things i'm slightly kicking myself for now... i was just in Sephora today and gave in to one of those packaging influenced spontaneous splurges... Jurlique's new Biodynamic line is GORGEOUS! The packaging is just beautiful ~ in that high quality bottles, beautiful curves, unique yet functional, frosted glass kind of way... and all of their inserts and boxes are 100% post-consumer recycled paper... the sampler kit of the new lines come in what appear to be egg cartons at first - which are also 100% recyclable.... not to mention their products are all natural, made from plants and flowers from their South Australian farms.
The part i'm kicking myself over? I knew it sounded familiar! A quick search through email reminded me that this is the exact line i missed a bbq launch event for in Hollywood at the infamous Hillhaven Lodge, which is the kind of place filled with hollywood legends - originally home to Ingrid Bergman - and currently home to Brett Ratner - who had the photography book Hilhaven Lodge: The Photo Booth Pictures showing pages of fun hollywood types in photo booth pics... (my excuse is that i got caught up in san diego!) Basically, i hate to admit that sometimes PR folks know exactly what types of products fit perfectly with my tastes before i do, because when i wandered through Sephora i couldn't resist playing with every product in the Jurlique Biodynamic line, and ended up picking the sampler with all the adorable scaled down minis and the fabulous egg carton-esque packaging to photograph and share with you.
Also... while i've only just started trying it out, the all natural line feels incredibly refreshing and light, and i guess i'll find out by morning how my skin responds to it! Take a look at the many pics on the next page, there's something so nice about the shape of the glass bottles they've designed.
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While dropping something off for Andy at A+R in venice, i popped next door to Vert, the "high end luxury retail store specializing in all natural, eco-friendly products" primarily focused on health and beauty. While there, i was drawn to the packaging of the Ayurvedic line, Pratima.
As they showed me each and every product, and explained the process of the products, i was as much intrigued by the experience of each product (from smells to textures) as the packaging and background. Completely natural, ingredients from india, the only spa/clinic in Soho, and Vert is the only one carrying the line outside of the Pratima Spa. The line is also surprisingly affordable. The facial cleansers start out in a sandy, powder which you mix with water. For moisture, you mix a few drops of the liposomes with a few drops of the essential oils and massage it into your skin. Additionally they also have masks, oils for various treatments, body oils, creams, and more. The Anti-Stress Aroma Oil is already doing wonders for my workaholic day! Take a look at the next page for more pics of the packaging and display, as well as some background on Dr. Pratima Raichur, and a peek at Vert!
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The Ojon Rare Harvest Takawa "Ball" - as it popped up on Sephora, and all around the beauty sites, the stock photos of it intrigued me to no end... I needed to know how they packaged that ~ what it was ~ and ultimately, what does it feel like to rub what is essentially a giant dark chocolate ball on your body like a mud mask???
SO, i bought one for NOTCOT's sake ~ to indulge and share my curiosity with you. The packaging is awesome, from the cardboard tube, to the saturn/ufo looking molded papery holder, to the foil wrapped baseball sized cacao ball, to the wooden bowl (made in china)... its not to be missed! So it has definitely won me over as far as packaging and presentation/experience - and after trying it out in the shower, my skin feels pretty amazing as well... so full unpackaging walk through on the next page, as well as more info/vids on what it actually is!
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Baxter of California - i've been intrigued by their skincare line for men for some time now... and to be honest, the packaging probably had a lot to do with it ~ that vibrant blue and black combo is so enticing? Anyhow, we picked some up the other day, and i suddenly made the connection that the packaging is covered with ASCII ART! The images online of the packaging tend to be so small, i had never really noticed this detail earlier. So took a few close up shots to show you what's going on. And we're still testing things out, but so far dan seems to be a fan of the Daily Face Wash and Under Eye Complex. Also unexpected was how soft and smooshy the blue part of the bottle is, with that nice subtly grippy feel - and the gryphon logo on the black cap! This is a packaging post ~ so go see the rest of the pics on the next page!
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9 Notes
Latest in toothbrush technology? Ultrasound. No, seriously... the Ultreo uses sonic vibrations plus ultrasound. And as much as initially i thought this might just be another crazy gimmick and I initially wanted to check it out b/c the packaging was interesting, and the new technology intriguing... I didn't expect to actually be hooked on my teeth feeling this noticeably clean relative to the sonicare elite (i haven't had a chance to compare this to that new sonicare flexcare, but its the same technology really, only less vibrations coming through and smaller?). Founded by Dr. Pierre Mourad (who has made his living finding novel applications for ultrasound and its ability to transform bubbles into miniature sources of mechanical energy) and Jack Gallagher (Ultreo's CEO/President who was present of Phillips Oral Healthcare for a few years) and they brought on Dr. Christopher McInnes (Ultreo's Principal Scientist who spent 12 years with Sonicare, and provided the fundamental science behind the Sonicare technology)... they have quite a team behind the Ultreo, which has just launched its first ultrasound toothbrush . Other than the incredible clean feeling (yes, i am running my tongue over my teeth in amazement still) ~ it's impressive that it's far less aggressive/harsh on your mouth, less vibrations, quieter and i was told the ultrasound technology creates tiny bubbles that blast away the plaque (see the comparison study images, more below)... and how does it work? It's all about that orange transducer in the middle of the brush head. Really its hard to explain, and definitely worth trying to understand/feel for yourself.... images below of box scans, close ups of the charger, travel case, etc.
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On bizarre places to find design inspiration... this Band-Aid Tough Strips with bonus Tough Case caught my eye. I realized for starters that i really like their font, particularly on the back from reason, and what a great shade of red. Anyhow, it's really *just* a box of bandaids, but it caught my eye ~ a few more pics of it below.
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Acca Kappa ~ an "Italian legend of luxury" ~ upon walking into the store at Century City i was told that this ancient brand was used on the royals. But what really drew me in was all the beautiful use of various woods (i'm a sucker for wood bristle combs... since my ancient Aveda paddle brushes as a kid, to the various Koh-i-noor ones i've recently used)... and their men's line! Made me wish i was a guy so i had a good excuse to buy the "1869 Series Shave Bowl & Soap: Hand made bowl with East African Wenge Wood contains vegetable-based Almond shave foam" from their men's 1869 line. I don't think you fully understand how beautiful that bowl is! And the curvature of their nail brushes were amazing too (also the soap dish you can see below). They have hair brushes in both the darker woods as well as the lighter hand finished beechwood... and new to the store was the extremely eco friendly Bioceta line of 100% biodegradable line of hair brushes, nail brushes, body brushes, etc... they are made from a unique cellulose that is extracted from cotton. Anyhow, i was quite taken by the line, and i think the 1869 men's line is definitely on my shopping list for the guys this year... as usual lots of pics from their site as well as some of the actual store (the store girl was nice enough to let me take a few!).
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On design stories worth noting... where need and passion drive the design of some really thoughtful products, i just noticed these previews of legendary Michael Graves' Solutions line with Drive Medical over at MocoLoco. The exclusive relationship between Graves and Drive Medical was announced in 2005 (see press release) - a nice quote "In addition to the experience of his architectural practice and its broad interest in accessibility issues, Michael Graves, who is a paraplegic, will bring his personal insight into this new area of design. Now back at work full time, Graves says, "I have a new outlook on how improved design can add ease and dignity to life for all people who are concerned with safety in the home and coping with disabilities. I am delighted to be working with a company as vested in innovation and value as Drive Medical.""
These pictures have popped up on flickr via Ecumenweb, and its fascinating to see that he's designed a hand-held showerhead with built in brush, a tub rail that can be adapted onto any tub, and a bathseat. I must say they all feel a bit little tikes to me, in their inherent rounded, colorful, plasticy, simplicity.
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vedaPURE - on my late night packaging/branding finds... how sweet is this logo? And check out the stuffed elephant that comes in the gift set below. And with product names like Butt, Butt Plus, and Butter.... as well as Supple, Nurture, Scrumptious... and for vedaDUDEs: Glide, Chill, Splash... this is a family line... ok, mostly targeting moms and dads to be, as well as new parents and babies. But nice packaging, and definitely a great go to gift for all those baby showers, etc.
"vedaPURE uses the most pure, high quality ingredients. Our promise and commitment to our customers is simple: we bring nature's best ingredients together to make safe and effective skincare for the whole family. The vedaPURE collection is formulated with organic plant and fruit extracts, soothing oils and gentle ingredients. No hidden chemicals. No misleading labels. Natural pure beauty."
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Nalgene - its not just a container... now they are using it as packaging! Brilliant and noteworthy move by nalgene which has already spread into so many markets - for being basically a container manufacturer... so its for scientific purposes, then outdoors, then travel/airport security checks, then kids, then various caps and kits and flasks... and now you can get Auto, First Aid, Preparedness, Heat Stress, Dog, and Kid kits! All in your usual 32oz classic nalgenes... each with a signature color for branding naturally. All of the contents of each kit are listed after the jump as well as more pics... and if you don't find something like the First Aid or Preparedness kit as tempting as i do to leave in the car, etc... well it's just an interesting idea... make your own! I'm sure you have a bunch of nalgenes unused around the house too.
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Hmmm Axe strikes again, with another hilarious ad campaign. This time is the "Get A Girlfriend" 3 step process to take you from the scenes shown to having the ladies hanging all over you in no time. And i don't know what it is that struck me, but i gotta say, the frog leaping contest looks pretty fun/funny (see the closeup of the frog below, its expression is hilarious), the high score on the arcade game cracked me up, and damn thats a lot of legos. See more from the campaign at I Believe in Advertising.
Agency: Lowe Bull, Johannesburg, South Africa
Creative Director: Gareth Lessing, Rob Mclennan
Copywriter: Matthew Brink
Art Director: Adam Livesey
Photographer: Clive Stewart
Typographer: Adam Livesey
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ThisWorks. It may not, i'm not sure, to be honest. But it certainly is a good way to build confidence right off the bat when your customer encounters your product. It's simple and to the point. Also while it feels a bit like Philosophy's text filled branding... it feels a bit more refreshingly playful. I was drawn to it instantly, and love the packaging of their travel kits especially, the minis in the Travel and Survive kits are so cute, and perfect backup gifts to have around. So i'm posting this simply because it feels branding/packaging noteworthy. [I first ran into it at Fred Segal.]
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Zents - came across this line at Gumps today, and was mesmerized by the packaging of these Zents ~ "Perfumery's oldest tradition- a multi-use, highly fragrant solid perfume balm, hand-poured into a unique solid stone cube."
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Ritual - a new line of grooming products for men. Let it be stated now that i've never been into men who are more high maintenance than myself (and as a packaging obsessed girl, its hard not to accumulate and try more than my share of cosmetics, skincare, haircare, etc goods)... but that being said, i do love a guy who knows it all well enough to pick well. And i'm tempted to get some of these somewhat bizarre? unique? products by ritual to test out. Fun website... playful graphic design going on... but most intriguing are two products in particular. 1) Nature Calls - they are apparently "first to market" with this one... and you literally drop a few droplets into the toilet, pre-stink, and there will be no stink. (i feel skeptical but curious) 2) Trifecta - "Trifecta packs your three essential shower products into an all-in-one hair, body and facial wash, which lathers in both hard and soft water." Someday, will SOMEONE please explain to me how some guys can get away with using one thing for hair body and face? And maybe they should swap to this? And third image up there is the gift set, which i think i'm a sucker for b/c of the wooden box.
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Mid-April seems to be a big time for launches at Target ~ or next week i mean! At least in the gorgeously designed affordable grooming products (adding to their Boots imports and Sonia Kashuk lines). As mentioned on .org last week, Method is launching their Bloq line - as reported by Happy Mundane - "It will be available in four formats: body wash, lotion, shave cream, and bar soap. The Bloq line is naturally derived, biodegradable, paraben-free, and has not been tested on animals. There will also be four scents that have been designed to match four moods: green mint for the "go getter", water flower for the "pure minimalist", beach sage for the "escape artist", and citron leaf for the "eternal optimist."
Additionally, men.style.com just announced that Every Man Jack ~ will also be launching at Target- saying " No item is more than $4.99. And, unlike your dad's soap on a rope, Every Man Jack products forgo dyes and old-school preservatives for a more natural approach. Body Wash uses only nondrying natural surfactants instead of the potent chemicals found in drugstore brands; Shave Gel lubricates with aloe and natural glycerin and has chamomile and vitamin E to soothe razor burn; and Face Lotion is oil-free and noncomedogenic. The California-based upstart also offers shampoo, conditioner, face wash, and pomade, all available in a pleasantly minty signature scent, plus cedarwood, tea tree, or fragrance-free."
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I'll admit it: I'm a sucker for skincare products. I'm an even bigger sucker for skincare products with simple yet thoughtful packaging. Bonus points if the product is natural. 4mula pretty much takes the cake. Their products are environmentally friendly on many levels, and they're all about "Farms. Not Pharms." On 04/04/07 4mula turned three years old, and they are celebrating by offering free shipping on orders of $100 or more in the month of April. International orders get a free gift. A company this environmentally aware and design-conscious deserves many happy birthdays.
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Ooooooh on fun rainy day packages that just arrived ~ a surprise box from the lovely ladies of 
