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It’s been more than a month since the devastating 8.9 magnitude earthquake and tsunami hit Japan. It is one of the most devastating natural disasters of the century, having caused thousands of deaths to our brothers and sisters in Japan.
On a lighter side, let us remember what the crazy creative Japanese brought to the world. They are innovators, not imitators. One great difference I saw between Western and Japanese package and product design is the amount of energy and life found in the latter. Most Western packaging appeared limited, merely ‘contained’ on the canvas or package. Whereas Japanese design is more alive, spirited and energetic. Japanese packaging is created not to just contain the product, but has a unique soul of its own. It’s easy to tell–most of the packaging and product designs are based on nature and all things cute. In fact, they go through lengths to add tiny details like faces, eyes and smiles to products to make it more ‘kawaii’. Charming mascots, sweet characters and happy faces definitely sell in the company, and cute characters will definitely lure consumers into buying their products.
Here are some of the most brilliant product and packaging design brought to us by Japan–all weird and wonderful.
Japanese brought us so many ‘kawaii’ items, or objects that are so good and yummy enough to be eaten. The Japanese taught us to see life from a more humorous perspective, even during the most mundane times like working in the office. Some of the more interesting takes on mundane office items are things like what Japanese design studio D-Bros brought us. D-Bros created awesome sticky notes that looked like sliced fruit.
The notepad is designed by Masashi Tentaku. The stem is an actual tree twig. The notepad has 150 sheets of notepaper. It is sold individually or in a 6 pack. It looks so realistic–it even comes with the netting like the actual fruits!
The Kudamemo sticky pads are available in apple and pear. The note pads look pretty on your desk, it makes a great decoration or gift.
Could you imagine a watering can or a flower vase made out of a very thin plastic sheet? Sounds absurd, but it’s totally workable and practical.
Photo by JP Design
This quirky product design is again brought to you by the Japanese design company D-bros. It takes brilliant creativity to make a cheap material like plastic look beautiful, classy and elegant. D-bros has once again created an innovative design, using a flat plastic sheet as a watering can to water flowers and plants. In addition, you can also use them as a flower vase!
Image by JP Design
Did I mention that the company also made flower vases made of the same material?
Japanese designer Naoto Fukasawa takes packaging design to a whole new level through literalist design. Most brands and packaging nowadays bombard users with texts, fonts, colors and elements to stand out from the supermarket shelf. Fukasawa takes the road less traveled and created these brilliant packaging designs.
Above is the photo of Fukasawa’s brilliant design for a banana flavored juice box. He simulated the look, feel and texture of the fruit flavor contained inside. His design for a juice box is brilliant, vibrant and creative.
Naoto Fukasawa also designed fruit boxes for strawberry, kiwi and even tofu for a fruit box for soya milk.
You may have noticed by now that Japanese design tends to be inspired by nature–and the same is the case for the packaging design for a confectioner named Koujuken in Nara.
Image by PingMag
The flower packaging design is beautiful; giving careful attention to meticulous design and detail. It shows that the sweets are as natural and great tasting as the package implies. The packaging design celebrates the July flower Morning glory, with the foil printed with matte and gloss. It is sealed with a leaf fastener, looking like and pretty origami flower.
Japanese designer Kouichi Okamoto marries both traditional and modern design to come up with a contemporary, conceptual take on the Japanese lantern.
The lantern mimics that of an ordinary, modern lightbulb, but the materials used are that of the traditional paper lantern. It even comes with the text and elements to make it look like the real thing. The design first appeared during the 2008 Stockholm Furniture Fair, but is now available in for purchase.
How can you make a cute design out of ordinary matches? Seem impossible? The Japanese apparently didn’t think so.
Image by The Dieline
Looking at the kawaii designs with their cute tiny heads and grins, it seems like sparking a light with these matches is a crime.
The packaging features cute characters with different expressions, along with the caramel corn inside the character’s mouth. It’s bright, colorful and eye-catching–certainly this will be the first snack in the grocery shelf that will catch your attention.
Image by Japan-Talk
Image by Jay-Han
Image by Architectradure
Image by JP Design
These chocolate pencils are practical and smart, great for garnishing chocolates and desserts. Chefs and chocolate lovers can use the special pencil sharpener that comes with it, in order to grate the chocolate on a dish.
The chocolate pencils are a collaboration with Nendo and patisserie Tsujiguchi Hironobu, the master behind dessert shops Mont St. Clair & Le Chocolat de H. Every meal and dessert plate is a masterpiece, just like a painting. And like a painting, it starts with a blank canvas and some art tools–thus the design of these chocolate pencils.
A minimalist and fresh packaging for the Milk Forest brand that was created by Japanese design studio Rise Design Office. It looks fresh like the milk it contains, having been produced by cows that have been living in the forest freely throughout the year. You know what they say–the happier the cow, the better the milk!
Image by Vizeer
Nachan Drink - Apple-flavored drink can
Image by Ochigo
Akanbe Felt Bag – a multi-purpose bag that can also be spread out into a mat. And we can’t help but love the smiley bag handle.
Image by JP Design
Chichiyasu Yogurt - charming, sweet characters definitely sell, especially with dairy products
Image by PingMag
Ajinomoto - Ajinomoto Salt Packaging in Japan.
Image by Hola Design
Monokuro Boo - Eye candy packaging
Image by Jamesbowskill
‘Alphabet’ Cigarettes - Regular, Heavy and Cool Mint cigarettes with minimalist packaging. The packaging is also a portable, mini-ashtray.
Image by PingMag
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Rachel Arandilla is a curious subject -- she appreciates things that are quirky & clever. She loves spontaneity and adventure. She is a carefree soul, has a deep love for travel, culture and languages. And she's beginning to wonder she keeps on referring to herself in third person perspective.
Saturday, September 3rd, 2011 08:43
I think it’s a good idea to gift someone a basket full of food products as we all know that packaged food products look so nice when well decorated in a basket. I think chocolates, wafers, different kinds of cookies, etc will make your basket full of love and also food products. It will be a good gift as far. Really what a beautiful way to present a product.
Friday, July 15th, 2011 03:43
Those packaging designers are genious, very impressive. One thing I’m not sure, are those packaging design a concept or are there already available somewhere?
Thursday, August 18th, 2011 14:09
These products are sold in real. Not concept designs. Oh, Alphabet Cigarettes seems discontinued.
Wednesday, June 1st, 2011 00:01
Wow – thank you for this astonishing set of fine “art”.
I really love the focus japanese have on details. It’s the little things that makes it special. Just like in life… ;-)
Friday, May 27th, 2011 05:32
Japanese aesthetics are quite unique in their minimalistic and playfulness always with pure shapes. Its all the more interesting how it goes from packaging to fashion and to the way spaces are furnished. For me the best designs are beautiful and practical, which Japanese designers are able to “nail” very well.
Tuesday, May 17th, 2011 20:57
Great feature of those cute Japanese packages! I tell you, they got a million of those things and you can even find them in almost any convenient stores nearby.
Sunday, May 15th, 2011 13:18
Wow! Kudos for the Japanese people! It’s not just brilliant idea. This is very elegant packaging design. The “Kudamemo Fruit-shaped” is so yummy to look, their uniqueness of the Japanese showed up. Above the tragedy that they encountered still they are strong stood up.
Saturday, May 14th, 2011 16:38
Great designs. Love the fruit memos. That transition between first and second paras – not so much. Very clunky.
Thursday, May 12th, 2011 15:30
Beautifully creative.Love the color combinations.I like the chocolate pencils.
Tuesday, May 10th, 2011 17:07
wooow!!!!
Monday, May 9th, 2011 14:34
Thank you for linking to my blog! as you can see, I’m a big fan of Japanese packaging design.
Tuesday, May 3rd, 2011 22:26
“On a lighter side, let us remember what the crazy creative Japanese brought to the …”
Worst transition statement in the history of language!
Tuesday, May 3rd, 2011 13:02
These are so innovative!! I love them!!! Makes me wish I had thought of them first haha! My favorite was definitely the package design for the fruit boxes :)
Monday, May 2nd, 2011 15:43
Blown away by the simplicity of the fruit boxes. Fruit envelopes scream “Designer!” even more so now. Thank you for posting this.
Monday, May 2nd, 2011 01:44
Wow…I love the Kiwi Fruit drink box and the chocolate pencils. Very clever.
Sunday, May 1st, 2011 19:37
Definitely inspiring, it appreciates the imagination to make this type of design
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Carlos Viloria
Sunday, May 1st, 2011 19:37
Definitely inspiring, it appreciates the imagination to make this type of design
Jack
Tuesday, May 3rd, 2011 22:26
“On a lighter side, let us remember what the crazy creative Japanese brought to the …”
Worst transition statement in the history of language!
Monica
Monday, May 9th, 2011 14:34
Thank you for linking to my blog! as you can see, I’m a big fan of Japanese packaging design.
Samantha Prinsloo
Tuesday, May 3rd, 2011 13:02
These are so innovative!! I love them!!! Makes me wish I had thought of them first haha! My favorite was definitely the package design for the fruit boxes :)
Debbie Meltzer
Tuesday, May 3rd, 2011 08:55
Clean, refreshing and surprisingly simple.
Adrian
Monday, May 2nd, 2011 01:44
Wow…I love the Kiwi Fruit drink box and the chocolate pencils. Very clever.
Daveido
Monday, May 2nd, 2011 10:40
Wow, really innovative! The fruit box is the best! :)
Franck Barfety
Monday, May 2nd, 2011 15:43
Blown away by the simplicity of the fruit boxes. Fruit envelopes scream “Designer!” even more so now. Thank you for posting this.
marge
Tuesday, May 10th, 2011 17:07
wooow!!!!
Rocket Bunny
Thursday, May 12th, 2011 15:30
Beautifully creative.Love the color combinations.I like the chocolate pencils.
Alex
Friday, July 15th, 2011 03:43
Those packaging designers are genious, very impressive. One thing I’m not sure, are those packaging design a concept or are there already available somewhere?
dreizehn
Thursday, August 18th, 2011 14:09
These products are sold in real. Not concept designs. Oh, Alphabet Cigarettes seems discontinued.
Brandon
Saturday, September 3rd, 2011 08:43
I think it’s a good idea to gift someone a basket full of food products as we all know that packaged food products look so nice when well decorated in a basket. I think chocolates, wafers, different kinds of cookies, etc will make your basket full of love and also food products. It will be a good gift as far. Really what a beautiful way to present a product.
Packaging Design
Andre
Wednesday, June 1st, 2011 00:01
Wow – thank you for this astonishing set of fine “art”.
I really love the focus japanese have on details. It’s the little things that makes it special. Just like in life… ;-)
Manouchka
Friday, May 27th, 2011 05:32
Japanese aesthetics are quite unique in their minimalistic and playfulness always with pure shapes. Its all the more interesting how it goes from packaging to fashion and to the way spaces are furnished. For me the best designs are beautiful and practical, which Japanese designers are able to “nail” very well.
Philip
Saturday, May 14th, 2011 16:38
Great designs. Love the fruit memos. That transition between first and second paras – not so much. Very clunky.
Brummie
Sunday, May 15th, 2011 13:18
Wow! Kudos for the Japanese people! It’s not just brilliant idea. This is very elegant packaging design. The “Kudamemo Fruit-shaped” is so yummy to look, their uniqueness of the Japanese showed up. Above the tragedy that they encountered still they are strong stood up.
dimaks
Tuesday, May 17th, 2011 20:57
Great feature of those cute Japanese packages! I tell you, they got a million of those things and you can even find them in almost any convenient stores nearby.