Wednesday, August 31, 2016

Almonds, Hong Kong, and the USA


This is a fun packaging illustration, found in the Spring 2016 issue of How. I love how the primary contours of the almond are repeated throughout the packaging, including the see-through portion on the bottom. The little bags mimic the larger bag, and this gives a simple dose of repetition. The heart and words "heart healthy" are given a pop of emphasis by using a bold color, and it gives the sense that what is inside the packaging is good for you. The playful, handwritten styled font gives a sense of familiarity to the product, as if it was handmade. Even if you couldn't read the words on the package, the overall feel is warm and inviting.




Ken Lo is a popular illustrator in Hong Kong. His illustrations revolve around designing with positivity. In the Spring 2016 issue of How, you can see an article about Ken Lo and his recent work. The image above is a sampling of his More Hugs project. I enjoy the repetition of the hugging arms, and the innovative use of color. This is definitely a playful and warm series. I also like how he's incorporated current pop culture icons like Star Wars, as well as common symbols from our culture, such as hamburgers and ice cream.



I really liked this piece by illustrator Michael Houtz. Found on page 41 in the Winter 2015 issue of Print, this illustration stands out among the rest on the page. It's innovative in the way it says so much in a short amount of time. Within seconds, you can tell what this is about. You may not be sure if it's a book, and event, or something else, but you can tell that this is a heavy-hitting political message.