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Archive for well-designed products – Page 4

favorite things . Tiny Packages

Wow! Look at this! I love all small things. I’m a small girl. I have small hands and small fingers. So, I just love small stuff that fits easily in them. Plus, I enjoy the wonder of something intricate and detailed in few square inches. Boy, does this little find fit the bill!

Tiny Packages from Leafcutter Designs proves that good things come in small packages! Each package contains a small object with a companion message scotched in mini newsprint, then wrapped, tied and addressed with your custom to/from addresses. The package even includes miniature stamps. The shop will mail your Tiny Package wrapped in a larger envelope directly to your recipient! What a great way to send a tiny message with big impact. There are eight messages to choose from with clever companion objects. The message for the package above: “You’re as cute as a…”

Proprietor, Lea Redmond also offers customizable Tiny Letters which allow you to write your own text for a mini letter. The letters are folded in mini-envelopes with mini stamps and sealing wax and mailed along with a magnifying glass. AND they also teamed up with Chronicle Books to create the DIY Tiny Mail Stationery Kit above. So clever!

Please. Somebody send me one of these packages.

inspired by . Iconic Stamps

Postage stamps have always fascinated me — often such intricate design in such a small thing. They are the quintessential design project… text requirements, size requirements, and the need to effectively honor, commemorate, communicate, highlight or showcase the specific theme eloquently in a mundane application. Cool stuff!

This summer, the US Postal Service released its Pioneers of American Industrial Design set featuring a collection of early modern product designs — icons which are now engraved in our culture. From the press release…

Faced with decreasing sales, manufacturers turned to industrial designers to give their products a modern look that would appeal to consumers. Characterized by horizontal lines and rounded, wind-resistant shapes, the new, streamlined looks differed completely from the decorative extravagance of the 1920s. They evoked a sense of speed and efficiency and projected the image of progress and affluence the public desired.

Nice. Evidence great design can be achieved in tiny spaces. And the opportunity to add beauty to simply opening an envelope. [Get your set here.]

favorite things . “Light Reading”

Daily PONDspiration [for the well-designed bright spot}… How about the inspiring ingenuity of this “Light Reading” chandelier from Lula Dot? It’s made of unused or unwanted books that are too labor intensive to feasibly recycle. Repurposing to the rescue in this funky alternative to crystal and metal. Great shape. Great concept.

favorite things . Wise Old Owls

I’ve been noticing lots of wise old owls swooping into my design sphere recently. From prints to home accessories, the whimsical variations are so inspiring. That fluffy cutie up top is circa 2010 dollar store Christmas ornament aisle and hangs on the valance above my desk shooting me wise thoughts throughout the day. The others are some of my favorites from around the cyber forest. Hoot Hoot!

1. The Roddy Owl cushion in teal from Roddy and Ginger. I think he’s looking at me!
2. “Great Horned Owl” limited edition glicee print by Josh Brill at Lumadessa. [LOVE his birds!]
3. You can’t go wrong with an owl named “Prudence”. The BlaBla kid’s collection is so full of whimsy & fun!
4. “Grey Owl” screen print by David Weidman. I’m a huge fan of Weidman’s work and this owl just makes me giggle.
5. White Porcelain Owl Lamp from Michele Varian.
6. Owl switchplate from Anthropologie. For turning on bright ideas!

favorite thing . All the Details

I recently bought this set of journals/planners from graphic designer Natasha Mileshina’s Etsy shop. She specializes in calligraphy, hand-made planners and organizers, prints, photography and more. The moment I received my package in the mail, I knew it was a lesson in the power of details. From the twine used to wrap the kraft paper bag and the shop logo stamps and stickers right down to the bonus photo prints and personalized “thank you” card (yes, that’s my NAME on there), this package wasn’t just a product. It was a present. Sure, I bought it as a happie for myself because I liked it. But, Mrs. Mileshina’s attention to the details of the packaging made it more like a GIFT. And, it didn’t hurt that her books were exquisitely crafted with minimalist design and just the right splash of color. Plus, her product listing included a few extras like a wooden pencil and ruler and a set of her small prints. It’s the whole package, so to speak.

Here’s the thing. When I got this, I was immediately convinced that she is, well, awesome! I won’t forget her shop, and I’ll want more of her well-designed awesomeness again. It made me re-evaluate how much attention I give to the details of what I provide customers (and friends and children and whoever else crosses my path). Those small Things have the power to turn something ordinary into something unforgettable. Sounds like great marketing to me!

[Be sure to check out Mrs. Mileshina’s portfolio website!]

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