Pattern Pulp

Patterns in Packaging from Birchbox




1Birch Box Patterns

I recently came across the packaging and graphic design work of Mary Rabun. Her aesthetic is bold, bright and feminine – and a playful departure from the minimalist illustration styles we’ve been seeing for a bit. In exploring her portfolio, I was struck by her full-time design work for Birchbox – it’s all very vivid, maximalist and distinct.

2Birch Box Patterns

While these boxes were released in March, they have a timeless appeal and reveal how a brand can successfully apply print and pattern. Using bold brush strokes and a harmonious color palette, Rabun excels in keeping Birch Box at the forefront of unique and cool packaging.

3Birch Box Patterns

In addition to the boxes, the accompanying insert cards play to the same creative mood and get interactive with a Q&A contest. If you have time, dive into Rabun’s past work, it’s beautiful, engaging and a great fusion of commercial pattern design.

 

August 20, 2015 | By: Shayna Kulik

Branding: Examining Trunk Club




3trunk club1trunk club2trunk clubIn New York, you move a lot. I’ve packed my bags eight times in the past 12 years. It’s sort of funny, every time I look at my credit report, I oddly get nostalgic. The list of addresses laid out ever so clearly, mark the timeline of my personal and professional evolution. With moving, comes mail. Lots of mail. Your mail, past tenant’s packages, your neighbor’s coupons… I’m actually amazed that everything important (except for a tax return or two) has found it’s way to me over the years.

Yesterday, I got a mailer from Trunk Club – which was addressed to the previous tenant. Before tossing it into recycling, as I don’t typically don’t shop for men’s clothing, I was drawn to the pattern, and, to the velvet-smooth paper stock.

Trunk Club as a brand is an interesting concept, one that a few players are experimenting with these days. I listened to a bit about it on NPR two weeks ago, and was amused by the feedback from the male office reporters. Women have softened to the concept of clothing showing up weekly through Rent the Runway and same day shipping from Net-a-Porter and M.M. Lafleur, but this idea of a stylist sending you items that will most likely fit is a cool time saver.

The heritage look and feel of the pattern is great- the imperfect dotted line drew me in. It’s also an innovative way to play up the box’s strengths. I’m down with this packaging and curious who’s behind it- does anyone know?

 

September 30, 2014 | By: Shayna Kulik

Book Review: Simply Pattern




A great pattern can convert any surface into something special, so it’s easy to see why designers swoon when they see unique textures. For centuries, designers used patterns to inject new energy into their work. Simply Pattern is a compilation of today’s best designers and displays outstanding work ranging from packaging, textiles, wallpaper, stationery, clothing, furniture, boutiques, and dining utensils. The wide variety of applications reveal how graphic elements can be arranged randomly or thoughtfully in order to bring a modern, classic or dynamic effect to any project. Great as eye candy or as a potent source of inspiration, we highly recommend adding this to your library.

February 16, 2011 | By: Shayna Kulik

Homegoods: Paddywax




While most have tied a neat bow around the gift fair and called it a day, our wrap up wouldn’t be complete without including the Paddywax booth. Granted it’s two weeks later, the creative stories, themes and art direction behind the product make it worth sharing. Just as fashion designers make mood boards, Gretchen Hollingsworth, the creative force behind this candle brand, applies a similar process when kicking off each new collection. After choosing a theme, be it the Journey of the Bee, Woodland or Library, the ingredients are combined, stories completed and graphics made to make a cohesive commercial package.

Our favorite collection follows the Journey of the Bee. Inspired by stops along a bee’s path to pollinate, the six fragrances – Clover, Rose, Orange Blossom, Wild Blackberry, Freesia and Raw Honey are poured into black matte glass bearing a gold bee emblem and packaged in a honeycomb patterned gift box complete with ‘b’ facts.

September 3, 2010 | By: Shayna Kulik

Follow-up: Diamonds are Forever Changing




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Diamonds in their purest form have remained desirable for centuries. From King Louis XIV of France to today’s modern bride, this gem signifies wealth, status and emotional commitment– three things that drive fashion and marketing teams crazy. Back in June, we covered global diamond patterns, as they were surfacing, and are now adding a few more to the bunch. Phillip Lim uses photo-realism in his bejeweled tank top while Rachel Roy simulates sparkle with cross-hatched slots on a quilted purse. Mimicking this concept with glass, Michael Kors references Hollywood glam with his new fragrance, Very Hollywood.

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Additionally, many designers seem to be moving away from the traditional pyramid silhouette that we’re all accustomed to seeing. From Clé De Peau‘s eye shadow to Marc Jacob’s earrings on the cover of the New York Times’ Style Magazine, to Diane Von Furstenburg and H.Stern’s latest watch collaboration, we’re curious to see where else these minimalist shapes will surface.

September 11, 2009 | By: Shayna Kulik

Tracking Repetitive + Awesome.
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