An entire package devoted to showcasing the best in packaging design?  Yes – it’s LovelyPackage.com and the extensive photo-archive of the wrappings from everything from books to tobacco is a feast for the eyes and imagination.

It’s seems odd that companies would spend so much time and resources on designing the trappings that go around their product that consumers so quickly rip away and discard.  What’s up with that?  In general, I wish companies would be more conscientious about the resources they use in displaying their product but I have to say that some of these are really eye-appealing.

Carry-out Cupcakes!

 Here we have a match-box of cupcakes.  Seems fitting since cupcakes are such a huge trend.  I give this one props because the flat surface of the box uses less resources than something with individual holders for each treat.  This box was designed by a UK design studio called Campbell Hay for Lola’s Kitchen in London. You can see more details from this item here.

Not a Box, but a light

Props to David Graas for his “Not a Box” – a light-in-a-box, if you will.  Everything you need for the hanging light is included.  The cardboard light-shade begins as the box that holds the light bulb and extension cord.  Graas is a Dutch designer based in Amsterdam who says he sees ”a challenge in looking at ordinary materials, or better, materials that are not perceived as valuable…”  According to him, ‘good design’ is “easy to use, affordable, durable and planet friendly.” Love it.

(No) More Sex

And while both Lola’s cupcake box and the “Not a Box” use cardboard, not everything is about brown packaging.  I seem to consistently drawn to the work of designers from the Netherlands.  They’re all about creative shapes, kick-ass sustainability initiatives, and safe sex. What was that now?  Robert Daniel Nagy and Mads Jakob Poulsen of near’ish by Denmark came up with a packaging concept for condoms called “(No) More Sex”.  As you can see, it humorously lets you know when you’ve run out and so can have no more sex.  Just take your condoms out from right to left and pay attention to what the box has to say!

I seriously recommend you check out the site.  There are a lot of things way fancier than what I’ve featured here, not to mention creative and super-cool.  And if you’re interested, you can sign up to be an editor on their site, helping them feature the latest and greatest in packaging design.  And of course, you could always hone your trend-picking skills by becoming a writer for SHEIBlog.

-B.C.Bodnar