nice package: crips snack bags

There is something so wonderfully weird about these Crips snack bag packages. Right? I would totally buy these, but not sure if I'd be able to ruin the package by opening up the bag!

I first saw these cute packages via TheDieline.com.

branding: anthro's key to success

top photo by Delphine. just a reminder: you can click on most any image on this blog and it will enlarge in a new screen.

A friend of mine works for Anthropologie, in the visual merchandising department in NYC, where the design concepts are worked out for all the stores. When I was in NYC a few weeks ago she was describing the new windows that she had just finished working on, involving recycled water bottles repurposed into flower displays. A few days ago I visited "my" Anthropologie to see if the new windows were up yet, and the team had just finished installation. I took the photo above for her to show her how "my" local Anthro (in Carlsbad, California) applied the design she worked on to their windows. Each store has its own visual merchadising team, which works from corporate directives, but each team is able to interpret the "orders" in their own way.

It got me wondering ... are there other photos of Anthroplogie windows online? Ummm hello! More than 50,000 results for the image search "anthropologie window display." W O W. Most of these photos are photos like mine: fans who love the windows and then post them on our blogs. That is amazing, is it not? It's such an amazing success story of how branding and visual merchandising connect with buyers.

I visited Anthropologie's corporate website (URBAN Outfitters Inc) and found right on page one, the key to their success:

"Our established ability to understand our customers
and connect with them on an emotional level is the
reason for our success."
~ Urban Outfitters Inc.

This company gets it. I cannot wait to see what they come up with next.

quoted: marketing + business

I read Tribes, by Seth Godin while I was in New York for NYIGF. It was the perfect book to read while attending a gift show. While on the surface the book is about leadership, it's full of lots of super insights on marketing. The overarching themes I took away from the book are that it's okay to question the status quo ("be a heretic") and that change & innovation are keys to success.

I have to return my copy to the library, but I'm already planning a visit to my local bookshop to pick up my very own copy.

graphic design: penguin classics

I was browsing at my local Borders the other day and came across these fabulous updated covers of three of my very favorite books. (My all-time favorite is The Age of Innocence, by Edith Wharton, in case you're wondering. And no, I didn't see a fabulous new cover for it). They're all Penguin Classics imprints. The illustrations in this series are by über-talents (including Ruben Toledo and Jeffrey Brown).

The cover illustrations on the cover make these classics a bit more accessible to teen readers than the dour looking oil portrait that usually stares up from the covers, don't you think? How old were you when you first read these books? I was in ninth grade.

I'll admit that the cover of a book (the packaging of anything, really) matters to me. Although I have read all three of these books, and have perfectly good copies sitting on my shelves, I was extremely tempted to purchase them. I have a coupon, after all, I tried to justify to myself. Instead I walked out with a newish novel by Leif Enger: So Brave, Young, and Handsome. The cover is not particularly interesting ... which totally blows my theory.

who's the marketing genius?

Just off camera: a series of "For Sale" signs with "Just Reduced" flags on them. Pretty sure I don't want to ever live at Hard Times Ranch. This may be one of the worst marketing plans I've ever seen. Seen near North Fork, California.

weddings: bridal couture by matthew christopher

gowns by matthew christopher

I wish I knew whom to credit for these fantastic photos! I was reading the latest issue of Your Wedding Day magazine and these photos stopped me in my tracks. I think it's a great example of how wonderful photography can truly make an advertising/marketing campaign. Matthew Christopher's gowns are unique, but, lets face it, it's another white dress in a magazine full of white dresses. Without this great ad campaign I probably would have skipped over his beautiful gowns!

I do think he could use a logo redesign, however. The scrolly monogram (you can see on the website) doesn't seem to fit with the innovative gowns and the uber-cool photo campaign.

martha at walmart

photo: walmart

Martha Stewart now has cute wedding goodies at Walmart! Some of these items seem nearly identical to the Martha Stewart wedding diy products sold at Michael's and I am curious as to how this all works. I would have guessed that Michael's had some sort of exclusive agreement ... not to mention Martha's long standing relationship with K-Mart? I think it's fabulous that good design is now available at all these places ... but I'm really curious about how MSLO is able to pull it all off without stepping on the toes of their partners.

It makes sense to me that Martha is able to sell sheets at both K-Mart and Macy's ... they are different price points (and quality). But it seems odd to me that Martha sells the same product category in the same price point to two big box chains that compete against each other (i.e. diy paper favor boxes and crepe paper flowers at Walmart and Michael's). How do they pull this off? My little stores complain when someone else in their entire city carries my line of stationery, so how does Martha pull this off? Tips, please, Martha!!!

Also... check out the new Walmart logo. Great post about it here on the Brand New blog.

big brand marketing

photo: screenshot of a Hollister movie

I've noticed a fantastic trend on "big brand" websites: inspiration galleries, sneak peeks, and club rooms. These sections of a website (like Kate Spade's "behind the curtain") go behind the scenes, inside studios, and into sketchbooks to show customers what inspires the brand. Some sites, like Hollister and Kate Spade, have sound tracks, so you can listen to music that further deepens your brand experience. I also like the Dwell Studio website, where the visitor gets a peek onto the work tables in the studio. And the Jonathan Adler Manifesto cracks me up. Here are a few of their beliefs:

"We believe that when it comes to decorating, the wife is always right.
Unless the husband is gay.

We believe celebrities should pay full price.

We believe colors can't clash."

Our delphine site has a little inspiration section with photos from our travels (and our backyard). Eventually I'd like to add a little sneak peek into the studio, and maybe add some tunes, too. Any other suggestions?