Box Vox

packaging as content

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June 7, 2009

Cereal Box as Envelope Security Pattern

Packaging

(Photos from the Curious Doodles blog.)

These are mailers, made from cereal boxes (and other used food cartons) by Portland-based graphic designer, Laura Trimmell for her Etsy store, Curious Doodles:

I’ve decided to make mailers out of cereal boxes and various up-cycled food packaging. I have tons of this stuff laying around so why not…  I stitched the edges on my machine, so they are actually very sturdy. I’ve been using one for a couple weeks. I stash my sewing projects on the go in the envelope and throw that into my tote. It seems to be holding up really well. Hopefully my customers will continue the life of the cereal box even longer. I am a little self conscious about my customers knowing what food I eat, but I guess I will get over that.

Curious Doodles blog

I like the way she’s discreetly turned the boxes inside out, using the plain cardboard for the outside and using the colorful packaging graphics as a kind of hidden envelope security pattern—(only to be revealed upon opening.)

And regarding her privacy concerns: since it’s a craft business, I see these oblique personal touches as a competitive advantage. A small, entrepreneurial crafter, she willingly lets it be known that she consumes, say, Trader Joe’s Soy Creamy Mini Chocolate Sandwiches (a non-dairy frozen dessert). I too, on occasion, consume food from Trader Joe’s. It’s a nice reminder that there’s a real person behind the commerce of the transaction.

(I also like her re-branding of Utz logo & Tortilla Chips package!)

Randy Ludacer
Beach Packaging Design

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