couldn't resist the packaging

I simply could not resist the packaging and had to buy this super cute chocolate toffee bar from Trader Joe’s. I’m glad I did, too, because it’s delicious! 

seed packages designed by delphine for isabella smith

These seed packet packaging designs were one of my favorite projects of all time. Pretty flowers, spring colors, clean design, interesting type (all in Danish) and the most lovely client you could imagine all combined! So far I’ve designed 22 varieties. They’re available in Isabella Smith Country Store shops and catalog, and on the Isabella Smith website.

Seed packages designed by Erika Firm of Delphine for Isabella Smith.

UPDATE: Isabella just sent over this photo from their latest photo shoot for their Spring catalog:

image courtesy Isabella Smith

Reminder: you can click on just about any image on this blog to see it larger.

nice package: trader joe's chocolate

Although my shopping cart was already completely overflowing, I HAD to buy this amazing looking chocolate from Trader Joe’s. Isn’t the packaging marvelous? I love the bold graphics. Although they didn’t need to, they carried the design inside the package, to the inner wrapping. Little surprises and attention to detail like this are part of what make this store so special. (By the way, the chocolate is pretty amazing, too.)

nice package: japanese fish snacks

Sometimes when I’m seeking a quick, “sure thing” jolt of design inspiration I head to Ranch 99, our local Asian food market. It’s full of visual treats like the restrained packaging of these fish strips. (So restrained, they held off on using a “s” in the word Fishnacks).

Some of my other go-to spots for inspiration are the beach, the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, my back yard, indie boutiques shops, and my local park. I just noticed that none of these spots are plugged in. Where do you go to get a quick fix of inspiration?

nice package: simpatico bubble bath

Sometimes (more often than I like to admit) I buy something simply for the fabulous packaging. I picked up this beautiful Fern bath gel by Simpatico at Bixby & Ball last week because I fell in love with, well, everything: the cool die cut tag, the lovely typography, the use of numerals, the fun flask shape of the bottle and the fern illustrations. Then I used it. The scent is awesome -- fresh and clean, slightly medicinal. (I'm not a fan of sweet scents in the bath.) Love love love it!

Photo by Windy Dougall

UPDATE: I found the Simpatico website.

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.

packaging crush: vosges chocolate

A few weeks ago I received an extraordinary surprise: a four-tiered box of Vosges chocolate caramels from a friend. The treats could not have come at a more opportune time ... I was in the thick of a stressful warehouse move, re-organization of our studio, national stationery show prep, garage sale prep, client deadline stress, and general malaise. My family and I (and my dear friend/lucky house guest) had a wonderful evening tasting, oohing, aahing, sharing, and arguing over which flavor was the best. My favorite, hands down, was the rose-peppercorn (made with roses and pink peppercorns). Mmmm. We were all (including my 6yo son) impressed with the fabulous packaging ... more arguing ensued over who gets to keep the box. I won out and got to keep it (now in my studio, the box is filled with "boring" things like paper clips and rubber bands). Although I didn't technically buy these goodies myself, it is totally something I would buy first for the packaging, then fall in love with due to the contents.

I just discovered this gluten free page on the Vosges site and am trying to decide which to try first when I visit their chocolate shop in NYC next week. About 8 years ago my doctor told me that I have an allergy to gluten, but only recently have I started to take her advice to lay off it (and yes, I'm feeling much much better). It makes me happy to know that on days I have to pass up a warm baguette I can console myself with a truffle.

green tea ginger ale: something i'd buy just for the packaging

Have  you seen this on the shelf yet? I'd buy this simply for the packaging, but Green Tea Ginger Ale does sound yummy. Next time I'm at the market I am picking up a bottle of this Canada Dry drink.

small business tips

Here at Delphine we are truly honored to have been chosen as a featured vendor on Abe's Market. Besides being a great concept (eco-friendly goods all in one spot!) and having one of the cutest logos around (a shopping bear!), Abe's Market is run by a super team (smart and nice!), determined to help each of their vendors rise. Last week John and I tuned into a webinar hosted by Abe's Market during a lunch break from the NYIGF floor. The speaker, Perry Abbenante, is the former lead buyer at Whole Foods Market. He had lots of great stuff to say, but I am so thankful that he threw out this gem:

"It's simple: spend the money on great packaging. You won't regret it." I wish I could put that little snippet on tape and play it at the beginning, middle and end of every meeting with a design client!

Pictured above: some of my personal favorite examples of fantastic packaging design: MOR Cosmetics and IZZE soda.

gift guide: for the designerd

Have a graphic designer, illustrator, web designer, or other geeky "designer type" in your life? I know we're not the easiest to shop for ... here's a gift guide with a few faves that are sure to please your designerd! (Psssttt ... Santa ... anything on this list would be super for me, too).

(1) Mnemosnyne Notebook from Sam Flax South $13.50 -- because we never stop sketching   (2) West Elm Hare Snow Globe $29  --  because we prefer our holidays without dancing Santas  (3) Helvetica Coffee Mug from Veer $18  -- we'll chuckle every time we caffeinate  (4) Linnea's Lights Blue Agave Candle from Dreamy $28  -- because we share our studio with men & it could smell better around here (5) Nelly Script Flourish font by Tart Workshop $39  -- because this is missing from the 2,297 fonts we own (6) Vosges Haut Chocolat Mini Exotic Candy Bar Library $25  -- no explanation needed  (7) Sense and Sensibility Penguin Classics Hardover by Jane Austen (or any of these gorgeous editions) $13.60  -- because when we're done re-reading these classics the books will make excellent props  (8) Membership to Museum of Contemporary Art (like MCASD) $varies  -- because sometimes we could use an afternoon off and a little inspiration  (9) Mr. and Mrs. Kate Spade Champagne Saucers from Macy's $75  -- because some jobs require a proper toast  (10) Slice Precision Cutter by Karim Rashid $6.99  -- because we're sick of looking for fresh blades  (11) Chanel eyeglasses $varies  -- because if we must wear glasses they certainly must be chic  (12) Uppercase magazine $18 one issue or $130 subscription -- because we truly heart design.

Pssstt ... Santa ... it's me again ... I have been a very good designerd all year long ... and I would really love a new camera because mine is broken. Pretty please.

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.

stuff i like: jelly jar wine

I'll admit that I was first drawn to Jelly Jar Old Vine Zinfandel by the understated, letterpressed label. Delicious! It tasted warm and earthy to me, like a walk through the forest. It was the perfect wine to savor while porch sitting in the Sierras with my family. I'm a fan. Now to find it in Southern Callifornia ... something tells me it will also be the perfect wine for watching the sun set over Moonlight Beach.

things i heart but first purchased because of the packaging: orange blossom beer

Happy Thursday everyone! Looking for something yummy to try this weekend? I highly recommend Orange Blossom Cream Ale. I found it at Cost Plus World Market, but have also seen it at BevMo. I'll admit that I first purchased it because of the packaging! You got me! But it is creamy and delicious.

The top photo is one one the reasons I do love living in Southern California: orange blossoms in our backyard! The checkout woman at Cost Plus told me that she gathered orange blossoms from her yard, boiled them in milk for 10 minutes, strained the milk, and used it to make cupcake frosting. Now how awesome does that sound? Mmmmmm.