Weekly Packaging Design Wrap-Up: Compostable seed pods help gardeners achieve green thumbs, Diageo whisky bottle explores 3-D design, M&M's concept paper packaging aims for sophistication

Sandy Yang

LOS ANGELES , November 15, 2013 (Industry Intelligence) – Scotts Miracle-Gro seed pods aim to give green gardeners green thumbs



A seed pod made by Scotts Miracle-Gro aims to give even the greenest of gardeners a green thumb, Packaging World reported Nov. 7. Dubbed the Gro-ables Seed Pod, this acorn-shaped pod is encapsulated by a compostable molded-fiber material and contains seeds, growing material and slow-release plant food—which users can plant straight into the soil. Research done by design consultancy Group 4 showed that people were unsure of how many seeds to plant, how deep to plant the seeds and how often to fertilize the seedlings. The pods aim to cut out that guesswork, said Bob Bruno, director of product and structural design of Group 4, which helped develop the product. The pods are currently available in vegetable and herb varieties, according to the company website.

The primary source of this information is Packaging World, Chicago, Illinois.


Diageo’s new whisky bottle incorporates 3-D design



Diageo plc and Caskstrength Creative are pulling out all the stops when it comes to 3-D design for their new Scotch whisky—from naming it 3-D to offering a pair of old-fashioned 3-D glasses to view the “stereoscopic effect” on the label. The bottle then goes to the cutting edge of 3-D by including a QR code on the label, which sends consumers to a website that provides a file to “print” a bottle sleeve on a 3-D printer, according to a blog post from brand and product development company Caskstrength Creative. Only 504 individually numbered and signed bottles will be available via U.K.-based whisky retailer Master of Malt, with each bottle priced at £49.99 (US$80.25), according to the blog post.

The primary source of this article is Caskstrength Creative’s blog.


M&M’s geometric paper packaging concept offers new level of sophistication



New York-based graphic designer Alyssa Phillips has introduced a paper-based M&M’s packaging concept with a distinct geometric design. Serving as an alternative to the flexible plastic packaging usually associated with the famous chocolate snack, the paper-based box has a clean-cut look and features a resealable tear strip. Also included in the design is a larger presentation box with a similar form that can hold 12 of the smaller candy packets. With this sleek new packaging design for one of America’s most beloved treats, the iconic M&M’s tagline, “Melts in your mouth, not in your hand,” couldn’t be any truer.

The primary source of this information is PSFK, New York. Photo courtesy of Alyssa Phillips.

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