The minimalist aspect of the designs above are what I really like about them. The use of line and type almost becomes an image. It creates a neat outcome and an almost prescriptive theme and this is something that I would like to use in my work.

This box is something that helped inform the design I created for my limited edition box, the black exterior works well with the simplistic logo on the front. Obviously the detail of the bottom and its curves are something that I felt I would struggle with experimenting with, but I think it works well here. 

Bottle/packaging

I really like this packaging due to the monochrome, but also because of the simplicity of the type. This is created through effective typographic heirachy. This is something that I definitely want to replicate. Despite this design being for pringles, it just shows that despite having their logo on, they can still design something that has a 'nice' final aesthetic. 

This bottle packaging and it's logo is something that I think works really well, its designed for a variety of shower gels, which I am unsure is fitting for the design. BUT there are a few thinks that I think are effective and may be more appropriate for food packaging.

The simplicity of the logo is really effective, especially as the range involves the application to lots of different colours. 

It's also the simplicity of the logo that I like, however the rest of the label is quite hard to view at a glance due to it seeming as though theres a lot of type to be read. I think less info on the front would be more effective for this subject matter. 

The details are not just details, they make the design.

This description by the designers of the following designs. I think it relates well to what I'm trying to do with Scarlet. Create an elegant, minimalist and modern design - for modern women. 

The minimalist designs look stunning on these simplistic bottles. The kerning of the type is similar to that of the typeface I have used for the labels (futurist fixed-width). 

I also like the branding on the top of the bottle as it gives the branding to a different angle and for a consumer, just seems like another little detail that adds interest and strength of branding. 

Type based monochrome

I have spent some time looking at fashion based blogs, some from tumblr and others not.
These include images that vary from fashion to art to photography but I have spent time looking at sites aimed at women. I recognise that this may be a bizarre area to research from but I believe that sites such as:

http://fashionwolf.tumblr.com/
http://chanelbagsandcigarettedrags.net/
http://blackand-whitefashion.tumblr.com/
http://e-vaporate.tumblr.com/
http://sudden-impact.tumblr.com/

...are an up to date look into womens lives. Most updated daily, they allow an insight into the world of women. When linking this to my Whisky brief, I think it's important to not only study pieces of design but look at what the current culture is trending at the moment.

When I started designing the logo for 'Scarlet' I knew that I wanted something typographic and used this research to help me with my inspiration.

With regards to 'the range' this promotional range for a confectionary company was something that I liked. It showed how versatile a logo can be. It is particularly typographic and simplistic aesthetically. It is not over crowding and allows a lot of empty space. This is something I like due to the uncomplicated outcome. Despite there being quite a lot of text, its small point size and clever use of colour creates an interesting outcome with regards to the hierarchy. As I progress through my development of my logo, I have started to notice the importance of this. Deciding what information I want to be read first and what's important. In terms of the range I don't think the neutral colours of the bag works that well with the darkness of the black on the invite, however the different pieces of packaging is something that I like.  

Key points that I like: clean aesthetic, uncomplicated design, REALLY simplified design, a lot of white space. 

With regards to my logo I started designing in a rectangle. I had also considered a cubic bottle, and therefore a square label. I then saw this and started to consider working within a circle. I like the use of type within a circle. Especially as a logo. I will try it out with regards to my project. I will also make reference to the use of circles with Marc Jacobs packaging. 

Despite not really liking the typeface used with the image above, it does raise the image of using a white line to create the circle on an entire page of black. Perhaps I could use this like the image below to create a contrast to the colour of the liquid within the bottle. 

I like how the liquid and type is the same colour too so that once consumed, it allows a change in the packaging. This adds a personal touch, or at least a sense of humour to the product. 

This piece of packaging refers back to a previous blog post, regarding the importance of detail. I am hoping to create an added experience to the product. I like how this piece has the logo and product name on the front, then folds out. Despite the packaging being pretty dull it does make it more exciting that if there was nothing else. Again I think the monochrome works well, perhaps it's because there is symbolism involved but it is something I think I will do initially, then start to experiment with further. 

I really like this signage and use of a bold typeface. I also like the use of upper case for all of the letters. I have started using a typeface from dafont.com called futurist fixed-width. This is a typeface that I think looks so much better when used with upper case. However, initially I was concerned that it looked very similar to The White Company logo. Although I decided to progress with my designing to progress with it rather than try to change it completely as logos are always going to start by looking similar to things. 

Invitations

This range of promotional material from the Walker House. 

Square bottles

Further recipes..from Bourbon House, Bourbon Street, New Orleans

Frozen Bourbon Milk PunchYields 1½ Quarts

4C Milk
1C Bourbon
¼C Vanilla Extract
¼C Simple Syrup
1pt Vanilla Ice Cream
Dash ea Nutmeg

Ginger Britton

2oz. Eagle Rare 10 yr.
1/2 oz. Ginger-mint syrup
Peach Bitters
Sprig of mint

Put all ingredients into a shaker, shake, and strain into a glass

The perfect refreshing cocktail for a summer evening.

Black Silk

Crafted by Bobby Gleason, Master Mixologist for Jim Beam Global Spirits & Wine

1.5 oz Jim Beam Black
.5 oz DeKuyper Amaretto Silk
Fill with ginger ale
2 dashes orange bitters

Build cocktail over ice topping up with ginger ale. Garnish with a half moon orange slice on the rim.

Streetcar

It came about during blueberry season, when Ms. Betty's sweet blueberries were in large supply. Bourbon House team member, Christy Campbell wanted to incorporate them and craft a cocktail that's an ode to New Orleans. The end result is very loosely based on the classic sidecar - adding to the primary spirit a sweetening agent (cassis_ and a blanacing ingredient (lime juice), but nonetheless perfect for sipping.

2 oz bourbon (preferabely Elmer T. Lee)
.5 oz Creme de Cassis
1 dash vanilla sweetwater (basic simple syrup made with vanilla bean infused sugar)1 splash of fresh lime juice
1 T blueberry compote (slowly cook blueberries with a small amount of water & sugar and let cool)Fresh blueberries for garnish

Combine all ingredients with ice in a shaker. Shake well and strain into a martini glass garnished with blueberries.

Recipes for leaflet

1. Mint Julep

8-10 mint leaves
1 tbsp. simple syrup
2 1/2 oz. bourbon whiskey
crushed ice
mint to garnish
seltzer or club soda

Crush mint leaves with simple syrup at the bottom of a glass until the mint bruises slightly. Fill the glass with crushed ice and add the bourbon. Stir gently, garnish with a mint sprig, and top with a splash of seltzer or club soda. Serve in a pewter cup or old-fashioned glass.

2. The Rebel Yell from Drink Mixers

2 oz. bourbon whiskey
1/2 oz. triple sec
1 oz. lemon juice
1 egg white

Combine ingredients in a shaker half filled with ice cubes. Shake well, and pour into an old-fashioned glass. Garnish with an orange slice, and serve.

3. Bourbon Peach Smash from Imbibe

2 slices fresh peach
handful fresh mint
1 slice fresh ginger
1 oz. simple syrup
1 1/2 oz. fine bourbon
Splash Punt e Mes (or substitute sweet vermouth)
ginger ale

Add ingredients in a glass and muddle vigorously. Add bourbon and Punt e Mes. Pack with large chunks of ice, top with ginger ale and garnish. Serve in an old-fashioned glass with a mint sprig and ginger slice.

4.Bourbon Milk Punch Recipe from New Orleans Cuisine

2 oz. quality bourbon (Maker's Mark is recommended)
1/2 oz. vanilla extract
1/2 oz. simple syrup (1:1)
1 oz. heavy cream
2 oz. whole milk
1/4 of 1 egg white

Add the contents to a cocktail shaker with plenty of ice. Shake until good and frothy. Serve in a frosted old-fashioned glass. Garnish with freshly grated nutmeg.

5. Bad Mother F#$%er from Drink Mixer

1 1/2 oz Jim Beam bourbon whiskey
1 1/2 oz dry vermouth
1 dash orange bitters
3/4 oz grenadine syrup
3/4 oz lemon juice

Stir ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Strain into glass.

Jewellery Packaging

Packaging for Links of London

I wanted to look at the packaging of jewellery and make up as this is something that is enhanced by the way it's packaged. The experience of receiving gifts such as these. The added value is from the quality of the product but also the quality of the packaging.

The packaging includes a ribbon, box, leaflet, a fabric bag, a paper bag.

I will look to creating a brand that incorporates the smaller detail with regards to the branding and packaging.


Within on of my surveys someone suggested that white/light packaging would stand out on the shelf in a super market due to dark colours being associated with whisky. This is something that I'm going to take note of as I agree. I want it to have a simplistic aesthetic, but I don't want it to look cheap.

I want to use a mixture of packaging, I am pretty certain that I will box the bottle of whisky and I would like to use tissue paper to add an element of excitement with unpacking the product.

Tiffany's and Co. packaging includes a variety of levels to opening the product. Similarly to Links of London their simplistic design aesthetic.

Packaging