Brand Refresh: Caribou Coffee

Design: Colle+McVoy | Country: Minneapolis/US

Here's a sneak peak at Caribou Coffee's new identity and packaging created by Minneapolis-based Colle+McVoy. The new look started showing up in stores on March 1st, 2010 and a new webdesign will launch on April 1, 2010.

“Because coffee is the heart and soul of our company, the body of the caribou is formed out of a coffee bean. In addition, the caribou’s antlers now form the shape of the letter ‘C’.” Another significant change in the logo is the direction of the caribou’s leap. While the Caribou in the previous logo was leaping left, the caribou now leaps right, signifying the direction the company is heading — into the future.

“The shield element has been updated to resemble the shape of traditional national park signage. This is a nod to our founders’ hike in Alaska’s Denali National Park, where they were inspired to start the company,” said Alfredo Martel, senior vice president of marketing for Caribou Coffee.

I like everything about the new identity except for the caribou graphic portion of the logo. The incorporation of the coffee bean and the caribou is a little distracting. My eye goes right to the middle of the graphic instead of taking it in as a whole.

Any thoughts?

TheDieline.com Releases Box Bottle Bag

TheDieline.com, an online package design blog released last week its new book Box Bottle Bag. The book highlights the best work in packaging.

"The book is filled with hundreds of inspiring examples, broken down into six chapters: Luxe, Bold, Crisp, Charming, Casual, and Nostalgic. Packages are shown in glorious high-resolution print (the next best thing to holding the actual product in your hands) along with a brief quote from the design firm or company behind the product. Don’t expect any in-depth case studies or industry insight though—Box Bottle Bag lets the visuals do the talking, making for a perfect coffee table book." [Source: idsgn]

Available for purchase through Amazon for only $23.10. Click here.

Branding: Julian Restaurant Branding

Design: Jordan Michael Gray | Country: Missouri/US

Branding and design by Kansas City-based graphic designer Jordan Michael Gray for Julian (6227 Brookside Plaza).

"A brand identity and voice for a new neighborhood restaurant in Kansas City that features refined twists on familiar comfort food from James Beard award-winning chef Celina Tio. The name derives from Tio’s main cooking influences—Julia Child and her grandfather Julian. Design elements took cues from Child’s well-known, well-stocked kitchen."

[Photo Credit: Gabe Hopkins]

Design Spotlight: Delicious Design League

Design: Delicious Design League | Country: Chicago/US

Select work from Chicago-based Delicious Design League. Mostly recognized for their limited edition hand screen-printed music posters, Delicious Design League has designed everything from print ads, packaging, apparel and logos.

Their list of clients include: Firebelly Design, Jane Magazine, Live Nation, Draft FCB, Mozilla and Urban Outfitters.

[Related Posts: Design: Delicious Design League]

Design: Play More More More

Design: Trapped in Suburbia | Location: The Netherlands

A fun 48 page notepad designed by Netherlands-based design studio Trapped in Suburbia.

"We wanted to get our clients moving behind their desk, so we've made up this notebook with on one side space to write and on the other side ball patterns. Just crumble up an piece of paper an you can play soccer, or rugby, or throw a tennis ball in your waste basket."

Play More More More won a bronze medal for 'printed self promotion' in 2007 European Design Awards for this design.

Typography: Let's Play!

Design: hat-trick design | Country: London/UK

Deck of typography inspired playing cards and poster designed by Jim Sutherland at hat-trick design.

Design: Truly Smitten Studio

Design: Truly Smitten | Iowa/US

Brand identity designed by Truly Smitten Studio for floral design studio Vale of Enna.

[Photo Credits: Truly Smitten Studio]