VerveCast

Are you tired of messy ketchup packets? Heinz, the ketchup company, was and decided to clean up its image by creating a unique new package.

Heinz Dip & Squeeze, was first introduced in restaurants like Dairy Queen and Chik-fil-A earlier this year. The new packets give people two choices for Heinz Ketchup use. One could peel back the label to dip, or tear off the top if you want to squeeze some ketchup on your food. The new packets also provide people with three times more ketchup than the older version.

“Consumer demand for this product has been tremendous, as there is a universal need for convenient, portable packaging,” said Noel Geoffroy, Vice President of Heinz Brands. “We are thrilled to help consumers make it easier and more fun to dip or squeeze Heinz Ketchup no matter where they are.”

The new design has a familiar face. It’s shaped like a Heinz bottle with the same signature red color and familiar tomato vine and logo. The ketchup will be available in packs of 10 with a suggested retail price of $1.99. Will you buy into the ease of this new product, or run the risk of wearing red with those old packs?

The New York Daily News recently wrote an article about how the iconic “I Love New York” logo is raking in millions for the state through licensing fees. The logo was created by the renowned designer Milton Glaser in 1977. He did the work pro boon since it was to benefit the state, which was at one of its lowest points – crime was high and the city was near bankruptcy.

In true “Mad Men” style, the logo was scribbled down in the back of a taxi (the sketch now resides in the Museum of Modern Art). The logo is a simple rebus that stacks the letters I, N and Y and a ♥ as the symbol for love. The letters are set in a modified version of American Typewriter and the ♥ symbol, is a precursor to the many emoticons we use today. Many credit the logo and campaign with kick starting the necessary reforms in New York.

In the past thirty years, the logo has been seen on t-shirts, mugs, perfume bottles, has been copied countless times and even inspired the name of a horrible reality tv show. Most importantly, the message for the campaign was positive and clearly still resonates today – Glaser even created a modified version of the logo to commemorate the 9.11 attacks. The “I Love New York” campaign is a true testament to the power of good design.

Dear Steve,

Thanks for everything* you’ve done over the years. We really appreciate it.

You made people realize the importance of design, and taught them that design isn’t just how something looks, but how it functions.

* OK, well, not everything…

Did you know that the U.S. generated 30 million tons of plastic waste in 2009. That’s more than 12% of our total waste. Is cardboard a green alternative to all the plastic?

If all goes well, cardboard may take the place of plastic. See the post: Four Years In The Making, A Tough Cardboard Jug For Laundry Soap,

Besides being green, it’s a nod to good design. Here’s a great quote:

“Having this not look like crap was the hardest part.”

It’s also interesting to see that Apple’s iPhone (and specifically its packaging) was part of the inspiration.

What’s a fauxgo? A fauxgo (fake logo) is a symbol or other small design created to represent a fictional company that exists only on film…

Check out fauxgo.com for all of them, but here’s a few favorites…