Jonny Trunk's book 'Own Label' is a wonderful visual reference of the work of the Sainsbury's Design Studio - and a bottomless pit of inspiration for designers with an appreciation for a certain type of economic minimalism. Its interesting how the aesthetics of aspiration have changed over time, and sad that the time that the Design Studio's work was ahead of ended up on alternate timeline to our own. Thank you, Ruby - love to see them in the context of european modernism, and love to see a Sugababes reference.
What a great article. Thank you so much Ruby and Vittles. I remember the old counter Sainsbury’s as a child visiting grandparents in Folkestone in the 1950s and grew up with the growing role of supermarkets and their increasing scale. But this is the first time I’ve read about how the design of packaging developed alongside. Must visit the museum!
What a fascinating article - thank you, Vittles! On a personal note, I’m so happy that Ruby Tandoh wrote this, she’s always excellent. Perfect start to the week 💐
Fabulous piece - really revelatory. Particularly admire the anti-nostalgia of the closing paragraphs. Advocates of the government-endorsed "Build Better/Build Beautiful" and the "new Georgian" architecture would do well to read them. Thank you!
Delightful. Especially loved this bon mot: "Many of them are beautiful, and those that aren’t beautiful are ugly, which at least means they are interesting."
This is such an interesting piece! I used to work in a grocery store and was obsessed with packaging design. I read a journal article once about how beverage companies were moving to taller, slimmer cans because they seemed more luxurious and higher-quality to customers (rather than the shorter, rounder cans associated with commercial sodas). Lots to unpack on that topic!
Jonny Trunk's book 'Own Label' is a wonderful visual reference of the work of the Sainsbury's Design Studio - and a bottomless pit of inspiration for designers with an appreciation for a certain type of economic minimalism. Its interesting how the aesthetics of aspiration have changed over time, and sad that the time that the Design Studio's work was ahead of ended up on alternate timeline to our own. Thank you, Ruby - love to see them in the context of european modernism, and love to see a Sugababes reference.
What a great article. Thank you so much Ruby and Vittles. I remember the old counter Sainsbury’s as a child visiting grandparents in Folkestone in the 1950s and grew up with the growing role of supermarkets and their increasing scale. But this is the first time I’ve read about how the design of packaging developed alongside. Must visit the museum!
What a fascinating article - thank you, Vittles! On a personal note, I’m so happy that Ruby Tandoh wrote this, she’s always excellent. Perfect start to the week 💐
This is so good. Of course it’s by Ruby! 😍
Fabulous piece - really revelatory. Particularly admire the anti-nostalgia of the closing paragraphs. Advocates of the government-endorsed "Build Better/Build Beautiful" and the "new Georgian" architecture would do well to read them. Thank you!
Delightful. Especially loved this bon mot: "Many of them are beautiful, and those that aren’t beautiful are ugly, which at least means they are interesting."
Definitely want to check out the museum for myself. Old crisp packets? That's amazing, whatever next 😎
I’m immediately thinking Willie Wonka and Cadbury. Just found some old manuals from 1960-1970s Sears workbench equipment.
This is such an interesting piece! I used to work in a grocery store and was obsessed with packaging design. I read a journal article once about how beverage companies were moving to taller, slimmer cans because they seemed more luxurious and higher-quality to customers (rather than the shorter, rounder cans associated with commercial sodas). Lots to unpack on that topic!