QUESTIONS ANSWERED!

1. What research finding was your main influence behind this idea?

My influences behind all my designs were sustainability and simplicity yet the idea has to be different from what I have seen on a market. 

IDEA ONE AND 1a   Main influence: appearance, the packaging has to look premium as of the brief requirements. First one with condiment – ketchup and the second one with mustard fitting at the top would be more compact, which will reduce amount of cardboard used. 

IDEA TWO   Main influence: appearance and secondary use of both elements of the package: bag and the molded case can be used as a wine rack   

IDEA THREE   Main influence: Sustainability and secondary use of the package, which can be used as a plant or herb grower 

IDEA FOUR   Main influence: Sustainability and secondary use: the packaging can be reused as planting basket, storage box for recipes or even pencil box for children

2. What elements of the brief does this idea best answer and why?

IDEA ONE AND 1a -neatly packed items will give this project premium look and be affordable

IDEA TWO The client has already got great products which to some point and likes to carry on with cradle to cradle  solution as long as it is affordable and competitive to what is on the market

IDEA THREE The client has great product which to some point fulfills the cradle to cradle solution and is interested in secondary use of the packaging. Although it might not have that premium look but it will fit with the local feel: straight from the brewery, in molded cask look-a-like packaging!

IDEA FOUR The client has great product which fulfills to some point the cradle to cradle solution and is interested in secondary use of the packaging. Also premium look criteria would be met in this design making it esthetically pleasing

3. If you were to 'sell' this idea to WVB then what 3x unique points would you emphasize to them?

           

            1. Sustainability (local produce – packaging, 100% post-consumer)
            2. Premium look

3. Reusability (secondary use)

             

RESEARCH 4, DOODLES AND INITIAL IDEAS

I have looked at some gift packaging at other local shops and here they are...

 I have contacted local company MDB Promotions who does recyclable packaging.. but they do not do molded design. Perhaps I might consider a bag being part of the package.

 MY DOODLES:

INITIAL IDEAS

IDEA ONE

IDEA 1a

IDEA TWO

 IDEA THREE

IDEA FOUR

These ideas came forth from thinking about the gift which must be appealing to young audience, males preferably but the female purchaser. Thinking of me as the woman,when  I purchase such thing I first think about its look, then what's in it and can I use the packaging after. So there is this automatic sustainability issue that comes to me first! 

I would like my design to look premium but with no expensive costs (monetary nor causing more damage to our planet), unnecessary glossy looks, etc. I want it to be about sustainability.

From BRAINSTORMING FLOW (see previous post) the material I would find most appealing is 100% post-consumer material. This is the type of material which after its served purpose and  intended use has been diverted or recovered from waste destined for disposal. Having completed its life as a consumer item, it can then be recycled.

How about Biodegradable material? could be a good option. Biodegradable product, they might be disintegrated by other animals but also may leave waste that can't be broken down. In fact it may cause the production of methane in landfills. Methane is 21 times as potent a greenhouse gas as carbon dioxide and accounted for some 3% of total greenhouse gas emissions. perhaps more research is needed on that...

anyhow, 100% post-consumer and biodegradable materials not only allow us to reuse them but also TEACH US HOW TO MAKE SOMETHING OUT OF NOTHING and HELP US TO THINK ECONOMICALLY ALSO!   

INK - as researched previously I will stick to a minimum, and perhaps work with cut-outs. The ink will be vegetable based but there again if there is a printing company who do so nearby WVB then that would great; but what if it is far far away?( I sound like Shrek...in a far far away land... hahah - ok, back to serious stuff) 

Wouldn't it be better to consider Transport Carbon Footprint - which damage would be greater?..thing to think about when it comes to printing.

so the above sustainable design will consist of some additions....more in later

GLUELESS DESIGN - I have looked at origami and interesting ideas how to tie bottles in a cloth. 

Brilliant idea! would that work at WVB?? not so sure.

Depending on what design I will carry on I will try to find the best option and not using glue at all. It will a challenge! 

I AM HOOKED ON IT!

I am hooked on Green Design!

Carrying on Bottles....In Poland (and I believe in some other European Countries) we do return empty bottles and receive reduction on further drinks or money back. I remember those summer days when my brother, my sister and I were collecting and cleaning bottles! we had lots of bubbles, laughter and some pocket money to buy sweets or books. It was fun!

So, returnable glass bottles can be the best environmental option – not only the glass gets reused but also transport distances for this heavy material are just around the corner, which in effect reduces carbon emission. Traditional glass milk bottle is a good example of that system!

Just a s checking our own carbon footprint we can find our nearest recycling bank, and out of curiosity I have checked if there is one near WVB and guess what - there is one in Bromyard itself! 

You can find one near you here: www.recycle-more.co.uk

BOTTLES...THOUGHTS

Looking at the WVB ale's bottle and my previously asked question during the visit I have been further wondering about glass recycling. The making of the glass as well as its weight adds to the transport carbon footprint (meaning the amount of carbon being emitted during a transport). 

It is great to know that WVB cares about local produce so why not be part of recycling process. Surely they do purchase glass bottles from a manufacturer, so why not buying back the bottles from customers or charging less for the ale when they provide empty bottles? 

I have found that Coca-Cola's new bottle design axed carbon emission by 2,200 tones, by making the bottle 20%lighter and slightly shorter; and 37% of their glass is recyclable. They also encourage their consumers to recycle cans and bottles and they have set up Recycle Zones around UK. 

Similarly Fetzer Vineyards (in California, but also they have an European wine line) company is a true pioneer in implementing sustainable practices mostly by making the glass thinner and removing the 'punt'—that inward protrusion of glass at the base of most wine bottles. They're also starting to use labels made from 100 percent recycled paper and printed with soy ink. According to Fetzer: "... the new bottles use 16 percent (more than 2,100 tons) less glass, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions throughout the supply chain by 14 percent, or 3,000 tons of CO2—equivalent to planting 70,000 trees and growing them for ten year." (http://planetgreen.discovery.com/food-health/fetzer-vineyards-redesigned-bottles.html)

I know that there is no comparassion with WVB but the point is that to act  globally we need to act locally first. And we as designers are playing a big part in it!

...and on a happy notes and thinking of coming Christmas, carrying lighter bottles of beer or wine home would be an advantage :)

GROUND BREAKING TECHNOLOGY

 

I wonder what chemicals will incinerators produce when burning all the rubbish?? 

....on the other hand I have listened about other slime - algae slime. Apparently algae can make up 30 to 50 percent of oil compared to just 15 or 20 percent oil from a soybean. Algae has also the potential to produce more oil than crops traditionally grown for bio-diesel. They will contribute to bio-fuel mix and they can even serve as jet fuel, and the technology is already in use.

So there is still hope that our grandchildren will be able to experience flying!...

TIGERS AND INTERPOL

I have recently read an article about Interpol launching a new campaign to help save the world's last surviving tigers in 13 Asian countries where they still exist. Interpol said that this project is designed to combat poaching and smuggling of tiger parts used in expensive traditional medicines; they plan to enforce the law to officers in Russia, China, Southeast Asia and the Indian subcontinent to save those giant cats.

I have read more about the medicine and read what I found: "For more than 1,000 years the use of tiger parts has been included in the traditional Chinese medicine regimen. Because of the tiger's strength and mythical power, the Chinese culture believes that the tiger has medicinal qualities, which helps treat chronic ailments, cure disease and replenish the body's essential energy.

Tiger claws: used as a sedative for insomnia

Teeth: used to treat fever

Fat: used to treat leprosy and rheumatism

Nose leather: used to treat superficial wounds such as bites

Tiger bone: used as an anti-inflammatory drug to treat rheumatism and arthritis, general weakness, headaches, stiffness or paralysis in lower back and legs and dysentery

Eyeballs: used to treat epilepsy and malaria

Tail: used to treat skin diseases

Bile: used to treat convulsions in children associated with meningitis

Whiskers: used to treat toothaches

Brain: used to treat laziness and pimples" - and more to be found on: http://www.tigersincrisis.com/traditional_medicine.htm

...SEEMS UNREAL AND IT IS HEART BREAKING TO HEAR THIS STORY! SURELY THE ARE OTHER WAYS TO TREAT ILLNESSES. WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO HERBS? THINK ABOUT  OUR ANCESTORS, THEY WERE THE ONES WHO INTRODUCES HERBAL REMEDIES  AND TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE WAS BASED ON THEM....SO WHY NOT CONTINUE WITH  IT AND LEAVE THE POOR TIGERS ALONE!? .

 

RESEARCH 3 - CARRY ON COMPETITORS GIFTS...

I have spoken to Wood Brewery (website in process of updating), they are based in Shropshire with regards to additional gifts included in packaging. So they have loads and ranging from: fleeces, scarfs, toy lorry, glasses, towels etc. 

Purity Brewery, nothing on the web regarding gifts...awaiting reply.

Hobson's Brewery have polo t-shirts, glasses, ceramic tankards-quite different to others.

Hook Norton Brewery sells variety of gifts: pony toy, umbrellas, bags, chocolates, chopping boards, cards and pens. And all are sold separately.

well, but they do not utilize the packaging what might seem a potential gift idea....WHAT A WASTE!

RESEARCH 2 - COMPETITORS...

Badger Beer - http://www.badgerdirect.com/index.asp ,

http://www.hall-woodhouse.co.uk/beers/beerfood/index.asp

Their mission: "We are an ambitious independent family brewer developing people, pubs and beers to be proud of." 

They are based in Dorset. I am not sure where the ingredients are from apart from liquor, which is from Dorset. Only one gift set idea-pack of 16 beers, very poor design. Other than that, towels t-shirts, pump clips, mugs. Packaging: casks and bottles. Beer and food site is interesting.

Wells and Young - http://www.wellsandyoungs.co.uk/

The Wells and Young’s well is situated in the heart of Bedford. Their aim is: "Special beers for Special Occasions". Londoner’s beer. No gift ideas, website shop under construction. Packaging: bottles and casks.

Norfolk farmer, Chris Harrold provides barley; hops are from Worcestershire and Herefordshire, Isle of Wight – Newnham Farm, internationally recognized, and exported to USA, Canada, and Russia.

Fuller’s - http://www.fullers.co.uk/rte.asp?id=207

The company is nationally and internationally well established. Their mission: "We aim to be the benchmark in retailing and brewing, delivering Quality, Service and Pride in everything we do."

Their packaging: beers are put into casks, kegs, bottles and cans. The majority of their beer is racked (i.e. filled) into various sizes of casks.

...as most of businesses they want the best ales, beers and recognition. Looking at variety breweries websites I haven't come across sustainability, most is about award winning!  

So let the Wye Valley Brewery be about SUSTAINABILITY and be the one who raises awareness about it! My approach to this packaging design will primarily aim to create and fulfill cradle to cradle solution, which with great quality of ales that the brewery produce will balance pleasingly, and perhaps do more than just producing good quality local brew!

MY BRAINSTORMING.....

RESEARCH 1 PACKAGING AND SOME WITH SECONDARY IDEAS

There is so many varieties of packaging to get inspiration from! Still it has to be unique.

The packaging I want to create has to be simple yet fine.. I have researched local and from abroad companies that do environmental packaging:

http://www.pendragonpack.co.uk/the-environment/ Based in  Malvern and they design also. 

http://www.packlyn.com/contact.htm PACKLYN VERY PROMISSING and based in Worcester. I have attempted a visit, unfortunately no answer and the gate was closed. :(

Chicago Paper Tube: http://www.chicagopapertube.com/  eco collection,  recyclable and biodegradable paper tubes

 other packaging:

  

PACKAGING WITH SECONDARY IDEAS...