And for the second T-shirt-related post of the day….Thanks to our good friend Melissa Franko from The Brick Companies for passing along this story that I somehow missed. It’s an article from Brandweek that discusses a new product from Coke. They, like many of the companies in the drink category that bottle their beverages with plastic, have been getting beaten up by environmental groups for clogging the nation’s landfills.

Their solution to this problem is a new line of apparel that is made of recycled plastic bottles. While this doesn’t conjure up pictures of comfort, I imagine with technological refinements available they’ll end up being silky smooth. I hadn’t heard of this approach before, but it makes a lot of sense. The oddest material I had heard of for T-shirt production to this point was bamboo. Bamboo shirts, like from companies like http://www.bamboosa.com/, are apparently silky smooth in texture (who would have guessed) and since bamboo replenishes itself insanely fast, are also a sustainable choice.

Now, the question is, can we buy blank Coke bottle shirts in bulk and silkscreen our own designs on them? I’d be glad to co-brand the shirts Orange Element and Coke??

Okay, I’ve entered my first t-shirt to Threadless. It’s the first of about six in the series titled “little creatures”. Willie the Beav, inspired by my son at 4-months (when he only had 2 teeth), first appeared on Orange Element’s wrapping paper in November 07. I’m pleased that it’s passed the first judgement of being worthy for Threadless. Now, if I can get enough votes, Threadless will print it for everyone to wear proudly. So, if you’re curious and like it, click on the link below and vote. Only six days left. Thanks!

Yesterday, our friend Dave Stock from Baltimore Color Plate came by to show us the die that is being used to create the die cut in the South River brochure. I have to admit, I had never seen an actual die before, so I wasn’t sure what to expect. For some reason I pictured a machine with numerous robotic razorblades pertruding. My mind was blown…

What he showed us was a piece of laser-cut plywood with a precisely cut and formed piece of steel imbedded in it, all surrounded by a bunch of rubber pieces. This contraption is put into the die cut machine and with an enormous amount of pressure applied to it against the paper stock, makes an extremely precise cut. I’m way over-simplifying the process and butchering the description of the actual die, so here’s a picture:

It was not at all what I was expecting. I can’t wait to see how the South River brochures turn out. We’re all thinking they are award caliber, and I can’t wait to show everyone. Another week or so….

Just caught up on my Brandflakes this morning and they tipped me off to a really cool set of posters that are virally making their way around the design world. Check them out HERE. They’re essentially a typographical study showcasing the different sections and districts within popular cities using only type.

How much would I love to have Orange Element design a poster set for the City of Baltimore like this? That would be a blast for the crew here to collaborate on. Perhaps we could even put our own original spin on them… (can you see the lightbulb over my head?)

Thanks also to Sarah, for her insightful blog post about Target’s new Rx bottles! I hadn’t seen it before, so I appreciate the sneak peek! I may have to start getting my Rx’s filled there (mostly because of poor service at CVS, but that’s a story for another time!).

Remember how Starbucks’ top brass had come to the conclusion that in the process of expanding from one store to over 15,000 stores, they had drifted astray from the characteristics that made their brand so near and dear to the hearts of so many people? If not, HERE’S a refresher.

Well, they’re taking active steps to make a triumphant return to those glory days by introducing Pike Place Roast, complete with a design that mirrors the original Starbucks Identity. And you know how much I love it when successful brands of the past or elements of those brands are brought back to life….

You can read all about Pike Place HERE. I think it’s really smart–and they even use language like “going back to where it all started.” Perhaps they’re trying to strike a chord with all those people that remember the brand 10 or more years ago, back when a barista was a barista and it actually smelled like coffee in the stores.

Here’s a side by side design comparison of the current Starbucks identity and the one they’re using on all Pike Place promotional materials:

Interbrand, under the guise of Brandchannel just released its annual Brandjunkie awards, so I wanted to pass them along. There really weren’t that many surprises this year, which is similar to years past, but I really enjoyed that they asked some odd/random questions this year like: “What brand, if sent back 100 years, would have the biggest impact on the course of history? How?”

I’ll cut to the chase and post the Brandchannel Brandjunkie awards results HERE, but a few of my favorite observations:

+ If survey respondants could chose any brand to rebrand they chose the USA (Oh man!), Microsoft, Ford, Pepsi and Coca-Cola.
+ 8.6% of survey respondants (Brandjunkies!)said there is no brand that they could not live without.
+ Honda, despite not aiming any marketing at the “green” space (at least in the US) was the 4th most green brand!

And enjoy this bit of analysis about which brands readers would like to sit next to at dinner:

“Brandjunkies are also, well, economical-but at least honestly so. Many chose to bring brands that would pay the bill, from American Express to Oprah. Our readers also seem to enjoy plenty of booze with their dinner, as these brands made the guest list: Absolut, Bacardi, Black Label, Budweiser, Ciroc Vodka, Dom Perignon, Guinness, Heineken, Jack Daniel’s, Johnnie Walker, Kaapzight Wine, Laurent-Perrier, Moët, Mont Blanc, Smirnoff, and Tanqueray. Cheers!”

Me? I’d choose THIS sweet brand!

Garret Ohm
www.orange-element.com