"...There are, however, some designers and even clients who insist that the public deserve and will respond to much higher standards in graphics. They are convinced, as Charlie Chaplin was convinced, that the best way to entertain the public is to first entertain oneself."

Paprika — design from Canada

Posted: December 17th, 2008 | Author: Iancu | Filed under: branding, design, identity, packaging, type | No Comments »

Outstanding work from Paprika, based in Montreal, Canada. The prints will make you drool, for sure. Emboss, foils, laser, diecuts, you name it. I also admire their identities, minimalistic, simple, most of them based on type and images — one doesn’t need a complicated logo when a good, clear&functional visual identity is present. Another thing to admire is their ability to create both rational, strong design and emotional, delicate design (check out their beautiful packaging).

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(via Dieline)


Yurko Gutsulyak — From Ukraina with love

Posted: November 20th, 2008 | Author: Iancu | Filed under: design, packaging | No Comments »

Wonderful works made by Yurko Gutsulyak, an ukrainean designer. His matches-calendar won a lot of awards, and one can easily see why. I also love the beautiful Cognac CD case, the nice stationery for the Golovan and Partners law firm and many more.

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(via Dieline — thanks Alin for drawing my attention :) )


Red&Blue

Posted: July 28th, 2008 | Author: Iancu | Filed under: design, packaging | No Comments »

Beautiful, simple and cheap chinese packaging. Type works best, as always. Especially when it’s hanzi :)
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(see it larger on flickr)


Vintage Graphic Design

Posted: May 25th, 2008 | Author: Iancu | Filed under: design, packaging | 2 Comments »

Another goodie-set on Flickr, containing pages from an old Graphis Packaging issue. Some beautiful stamps:

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and a beautiful grid&type-based packaging (yes, Helvetica forever! :P):
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Mr. Porky – swiney todd stuff :)

Posted: March 7th, 2008 | Author: Iancu | Filed under: fun, packaging, personal | No Comments »

I know most would be horrified by this product, but for me they are pretty much like Proust’s madeleines, reminding me of my grandparents’, as a kid, sitting comfy on the big old sofa, Christmas Eve, eating pork scratchings and smoked sausages, sipping some good home-made rosé wine out of a tailor’s-finger-pad-sized glass…

To my delight I’ve found these Mr. Porky (note the hilarious butcher – the POS had him full monty, uncovered as packs were sold :)) ) in an irish pub here in Bucharest yesterday. They went smoothly along some vodka beers. Or was it the other way around? :))

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Ugliest bottle on the shelf?

Posted: February 20th, 2008 | Author: Iancu | Filed under: design, packaging | 4 Comments »

Maybe not, but it sure strives to take the prize. Just bought it today because I couldn’t believe how awkard and comunist-cheap-booze-reminding-me it was. Not to mention the weird glob-glob sound it makes when drinking because of its badly designed neck. It would make a great Molotov-cocktail if it weren’t plastic :)

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