THE CROSSED COW » Packaging

Fancy sharing?

Kevin — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 13:22:44 +0000

If you like FFFFound.com (let’s face it, most of us do), or have played about with dropular – then add this one to your bookmarks and start adding photos, illustrations, graphics and just general *cool stuff*. It is called Fancy (www.thefancy.com) and does exactly the same thing as those mentioned – a visual bookmarking service – but with more of a social context and with a little bit more panaché.

Registrations are currently open (I’m klan if you want to follow me), so get in there while the iron is hot. There is also a free iPad/iPhone app as well, so you can browse lovely, pretty stuff on the move.

Pollination of ideas

Helen — Wed, 15 Dec 2010 10:13:37 +0000

Stanley Honey Pots - The Partners, 2003

They say that good ideas spread, and a recent discovery would suggest that the sentiment is all too true.

In 2003 The Partners designed some packaging for a lovely, independent, honey-maker based in South London. In the early days of sustainable packaging becoming ‘trendy’, The Partners came up with the idea of making a honey pot reusable, as a flowerpot, in order to encourage bees to make even more delicious honey.

Seven years later, we’re still getting requests from publishers and journalists to feature the popular pots so we’re aware of what an inspiring concept it was. Only yesterday we received a email from a friend with a picture of a familiar looking pot. The idea of making packaging reusable in a sustainable and engaging way is such a delight that it’s good to see our idea has pollinated, and hopefully will be helping to keep our bees nice and active next summer.

A pollinated idea

Stanley Honey - The Partners, 2003

We Are Happy To Know You

Helen — Wed, 05 May 2010 22:32:37 +0000

New Yorkers and Law and Order fans alike know the “We Are Happy To Serve You” paper coffee cup is an iconic piece of old New York. We’ve loved it because it’s the perfect size for a quick pick-me-up, the kitschiness of it, and perhaps because it’s the cup dispensed by the family-run diner on the corner. We learned a lot more about the man behind the cup (officially called the Anthora), Leslie Buck, who passed away last week. The New York Times obituary tells the story of the refugee from Nazi Europe that eventually became the director of marketing for the Sherri Cup Company in Connecticut. Mr. Buck had no formal training in art, yet the design–with it’s Grecian color scheme and folkloric tone–was an “instant success.” It’s proof that enduring designs don’t always come with rhyme, reason, or a carefully thought-out typeface.

Really Good Book Explained

Helen — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 19:25:58 +0000

This week Rockport Publishers sent us a copy of their Really Good Packaging Explained book which is the second in a series following up upon Really Good Logos, Explained. The book showcases the favoured designs of four of the world’s most eminent voices in packaging design. The Partners features in the book a staggering four times with Stanley Honey, Casa Loreto, 96 Degrees Coffee and Mr.Singh’s Bangras. It’s a lovely book to have in your collection, bursting at the seams with excellent examples of packaging design from last few years.

Stanley Honey

Casa Loreto

96 Degrees

Mr Singh's Bangras

A bastion of Albion in Manhattan

Jessica — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 22:35:14 +0000

Today we decided to initiate our newest TP New York employee, James, into the ways of the great British snack, so had a team trip out to the fantastic Myers of Keswick on Hudson Street. In their own words they are ‘the traditional English shop serving expatriots in both Greater New York and the United States with your favourite culinary treats from home’. And treat ourselves we did, as you can see, with no lard based delicacy left un-purchased. The verdict from James was a big thumbs up (although you may not quite believe it from the slightly pensive look in the photo as he investigates a packet of pickled onion flavour Monster Munch) and we’re pleased to say he is now fully initiated into the way of the sausage roll. Jolly good!

TP packaging on TheDieline.com

Kevin — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 16:39:58 +0000

The World famous packaging blog; The Dieline, has featured two of our lovely pieces of work up on their site: the world’s first branded sausage, Mr. Singh’s Bangras, and the slow cooked goodness that is the Klein Caporn range of pasta sauces:

Go check it out here.

You can find out more about Mr. Singh’s Bangras, from this blogpost from Miranda.