Sunday 25 April 2010

All the tea in china...

I have been looking into different types of packaging for tea. The ranges and styles of tea are very wide and varied. I have found a selection of different types of packaging, some of which is simple and quite stayed, others are more innovative and interesting...

Kromland Farm Organic Tea
This design is quirky and cute. The colours are very strong which helps the overall design to become more eye-catching. It uses plants to elude to 'organic' but contrasts this with the heavy type and bold design. Something about this reminds me about Dorset Cereals (maybe the plant leaves?).

















Peyton and Byrne
All of Peyton and Byrnes packaging has a very traditional and British design. Their tea packaging uses bright, defined coloured and has a very minimalist approach. The strength of their design is the simplicity and uncomplicated approach. Their products are mid-range but not overly expensive. The design does not necessarily reflect this, but there is a sense of class within this understated design.

































Lancashire Tea
Recently redesigned and now uses a livery chosen by the public. The original packaging, plus three different design concepts are shown here. I feel that the aim was to capture the essence of Lancashire in these designs, and though this has been done, I feel that all of them may be a little stereotypical in someway. Aimed at the ' (northern) everyman' it would seem that these designs hit the spot, but they are in no way different or inspiring.

Original:

















Concept 1:

















Concept 2:

















Concept 3:

















London Tea Company
Eco-friendly tea packaged using no glue, cellophane, wrapping or sachets. The boxes are made of recycled paper and printed with bright eye-catching colours. The images feel a little rushed, and possibly a little pigeon holing perhaps; do they denote the type of person who should drink each type of tea? The style of design feels generic, not aimed at a specific audience.

















Emeyu Tea
This is a tea 'library'. Emeya specialise in rare and increasingly more sought after teas. Available directly through their website or from Harvey Nichols. Their design feels very in tune with the origins of tea, the style and importance of ceremony. The bright colour is engaging and the style of packaging presents a modern but informed personality. The idea of a 'library' seems a little excessive, but this may appeal to tea connoisseurs or those interested in broadening their horizons. It feels like more of a gift rather than something one would buy from themselves.












































Ku Kai
Organic tea available in three flavours. A very simple approach to the design, using illustration and bold colours to differentiate between flavours.






















Clipper
A big name in Tea, Clipper has designed their packaging to tie in with their organic approach.
The texture and colours help to highlight the organic approach, the variation in the colours differentiates the types of tea, and helps the consumer to identify these on the shelf. Kind of cute and lovey, these designs will appeal to women because of the style and friendly nature.













Mallard Tea Rooms
This mix and match style of design for Mallard Tea Rooms is inspired by the eclectic style of the tea rooms themselves. Unmistakably British and eccentric the personality is strong, but simple and clean. Appealing to a small audience, those who appreciate proper english tea service and those who would feel that proper tea is better tea.





























My Cup of Tea
Specialises in a wide range of different teas, catering to anyone and everyone who enjoys tea. Their feeling is that tea is a very personal drink and their packaging is aimed at bring across their range and diversity.

































































Harney & Sons.
This packaging has very traditional feeling, enhanced by the colour choices and style of packaging. The cold tea in bottles feel like an odd product for such a traditional tea brand, but it is nice to see that established companies are branching out into more modern products. The tea canister is very classic including the patterns applied. The overall feeling could be a little stuffy and stayed, appealing to a long term customer or those looking for something traditional.

































Dr. Stuarts
An established brand, frequently seen on supermarket shelves. The quirky illustrations and clinical packaging is eye-catching and very strong. The overall personality is fun and friendly and very engaging. The use of colour is also very good, drawing attention to the illustrations first and the branding second.





















































Quai Sud
This design by french company Quai Sud is strong and clearly high end. The glass jar signifies and expensive product, whilst the labels applied are simple, chic and understated. Overall a strong design and very in keeping with the personality of the Quai Sud brand.





















Today Was Fun
This design has irritated me for some time; I am not a fan of the general type use, and the names of the tea feel so contrived and patronising. The bright colours are engaging, but as soon as you read deeper into the packaging it feels a bit like a joke and that the product is a bit of a scam. Overall it's a bit crap and novelty.










































Steven Smith
A traditional and classic take on the tea packaging. The shapes and textures used are very cool and smooth, presenting a calm but genuine personality. The colours are neutral, but they add to the low key design and help to create an overall feeling of class and strong design.








































Natsume Matcha
A top quality Japanese tea used in traditional tea ceremony. The packaging reflects the calming and slow growing process of the tea. The colouring is soft and the packaging very simple and has a very soft and understated feeling.





















Queen Mary
Available from the Queen Mary boutique and now in upscale restaurants and spas, Queen Mary celebrates England's rich tradition of midday tea which was the inspiration of this brand.
It has a distinct colour palette which allows for differentiation between products as well as a strong logo designed specifically for embossing and foil stamping.




























Ringtons Tea
Die-cut designs for a limited edition loose leaf tea. The packaging is eco-friendly and is designed as an upmarket brand, appealing to young professionals. The design here is interesting, and feels a little rough around the edges. The variations in the designs is good, it creates a sense of interest, but I am not sure if it is aimed at the right audience.















Revolution
Ready to drink white tea packaged in plastic bottles. The designs are coloured for differentiation and this carries through to the photographs denoting flavour. Overall the designs are very low key, they have little personality and use a minimalist approach.


















Honest Tea
This design feels odd. The combination of the serif branding type with the sans serif and very modern design on the main area of the label feel like they clash. The design is overly commercial, bringing together elements that create and over the top design that feels tacky. I don't like this juxtaposition of elements, for a product like this it feel unnecessary.















ChariTea
Available in three flavours. The design is screen printed onto the bottles to give a more integrated design and allows the bottle to become the focus of the design. The clean and simple design approach is strong and feels genuine. The overall product is good, the white design stands out well against the brown bottle.
















Andrews & Dunham Tea
These tea canisters are vibrant and bold. Each design is completely different which allows for strong and varied design styles. The bold colours are eye-catching and enhance the overall sense of fun within the product.

















Gut!
This design is very simple, crisp and clean. The use of craft paper highlights the label but gives another dimension to the overall packaging. The strong colours are eye-catching and the bold type creates instant impact.






















Rosehip
This design uses very plain, generic packaging. The type is mixed and creates a sense of fun, while the dark coloured background allows the type to stand out well. Simple packaging with a pretty design, but overall it isn't different or innovative.
















Tea Hugger
This packaging is a combination of modern and traditional. The shapes, pattern and colours well very traditional, but the type is modern and has a hand written quality to it. Overall the design is interesting; it is engaging and has something quite quirky about it.






















Ceremonie
Very decadent and opulent packaging, using colour and texture to create a feeling of refinement. The decoration is quite intricate, but is paired with simple type which allows it to stand out. I am impressed with this packaging, it seems to go just far enough to create a feeling of a luxury product, but doesn't feel over the top or overly expensive.

No comments:

Post a Comment