It’s appearing on bikes:

And puddings:

Even Ma’amite has changed its name:

And there’s even a special edition Henry:

It’s good news for designers, who are keeping busy with these special edition designs. Although no doubt the sight of Christmas will be a welcome relief from all things red, white and blue.

The blue detail on the kit is inspired by the socks worn in the 1930s. The socks had blue hoops on them and were introduced by Herbert Chapman – one of Arsenal’s greatest managers. They were originally introduced during the 1933-34 season, along with white sleeves, in order to maximise player visibility.

The new kit design is smart but will it be well received by the Arsenal faithful? Probably. Arsenal is a club that appreciates its history and likes to honour the past. Let’s just hope next season the present will give us something to honour too.

Gone are the harsh red, white and blue value colours and in their place are softer shades of orange, pinks, greens. blues and even lilacs. The designs have a 1950s feel. The packaging could be mistaken for a decent range. It looks more upmarket, better quality and tempting to buy.

Full marks to the designers, Rocket Design, who came up with these concepts. It just shows what an investment in design and a subsequent change in packaging can do to a product.

We have come a long way since the introduction of the “No Frills” labels. The product is still pretty much the same as it was back then, but stick an attractive label on it and who can tell?

Tesco demonstrate the power of effective design.

It was less than a month ago when Apple launched a new colourful logo design seen on the on the latest iPad. This time it’s the 5000 developers attending the World Wide Apple Developers Conference in San Francisco who will witness the new design in action.

It’s certainly a more daring concept as Apple appear to be throwing away their monochromatic designs in favour of some pretty bright colours. I’m sure the developers will have much to say on the matter. Or maybe not.

The typeface used was Lavenderia, sourced from one of my favourite font websites Lost Type. I created some love hearts and filled the background with these. On the reverse was simply the date.

Congratulations to Rita and Floor who were married on 21 April 2012.

The website is geared more towards teachers and students who can learn about the life of this important monarch whilst the existing monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, gets her party celebrations underway for her own Diamond Jubilee year.

These are a revived version of the 1952 labels. You can see the style has remained similar over the years. Although the retro packaging includes additional text that it wouldn’t have had back then.

[via Design Week]

The chances are it won’t. Australia are the first country to lead the way with this policy. From December this year all packets will be olive green – which was considered the least attractive colour for smokers.

The potential design will have no logos and will be covered in health warnings and not very pleasant photos.

It’s ugly. Yes. Will it put off the smokers? One would hope so. It’s not the kind of design you want looking at you when you’re enjoying a night out.

Last year, London-based design firm came up with an “unbranded” solution.

It’s unlikely to be taken up by the tobacco companies though. Too much like a designer item. And I doubt the government will be thinking along these lines.

The problem with unbranding a cigarette packet is that aesthetically, if you remove all design, you’re left with a very neat looking product. It’s a clean, attractive, rectangle box. It feels good to touch. It’s smooth, it stands up on it’s own and features a clever top that opens and shuts quite neatly.

Aesthetically, the cigarette packet is pleasing to the eye. Take off the branding and it still looks good.

The BBC wrote an article on this back in 2009, showing two cigarette packs – one branded and one not. In spite of being called Hyper Puffs, the unbranded version looks too good.

We’re in an age where minimalist designs are leading the way. Look at the Apple products and the simplicity of their designs – the iPod and iPhone for instance. The chances of someone being put off from buying a plain cigarette packet are slim.

Perhaps the answer lies not with branding but with the packaging design. Get rid of the well designed rectangled box and replace it with an alternative. A plastic bag perhaps. Not only will this increase the chances of the cigarette being crushed before consumption, it’s pretty unattractive packaging.

The clock is set at 7:13 which commemorates the year that the station was official opened in the year 1913 or as it says on the clock – 19:13. Slightly cryptic and slightly wrongly placed. If it was a real clock the 2nd hand wouldn’t sit quite so neatly on the number 7.

The clock design represents the famous Tiffany clock that sits on top of the information kiosk in the main concourse. It’s a good representation. It has been criticised for looking like clip art but the thin white lines keep it simple and unfussy. Clip art this is not. It’s a design classic which lives up to the landmark it represents.

There’s something about this logo that is quietly very effective. I like the simplicity. It looks like it’s from another era yet it’s a contemporary design – quite apt for a celebration of 100 years. The typeface that has been chosen complements the clock and gives a good solid base for it to stand on.

The design work was carried out by Pentagram. Nice work.

[via Under Consideration]

Pantone, with its famous Pantone Matching System (PMS) has been a successful supplier of colour to the print industry since the 1950s. With the rise of the web, you would think a company like this could suffer. Not Pantone. It has launched product after product using clever marketing strategies and diversifying like no other.

As a brand it has got stronger, not only ensuring it stays in the forefront of the designer’s mind, but also through appealing to the mainstream world. Consumers who may never have come across a Pantone Colour Swatch book can now enjoy a colourful collection of Pantone goods in their homes and offices. Pantone is an example of a company that has not only survived but thrived.

Pantone Makeup

This is the latest addition to the Pantone range. Spruce up your face with a range of Pantone makeup colours.

Pantone Mugs

Drink your favourite drink from your favourite colour mug.

Pantone Socks

One pair for each day of the week. One colour for each foot even.

Pantone Hotel

If you’re not satisfied with Pantone around the home you can visit the Pantone Hotel in Brussels. Ideal weekend break for all those who can’t get enough.

Pantone Tarts

These are great, although not essentially available to buy or munch on unfortunately.

Whatever will be next in the Pantone product range.