‘Sustainable packaging’ is the function of multiple variables handled in the most efficient & eco-friendly manner.

The best packaging is stripped down to only its essential elements – those that use just enough of the right material to deliver the product intact. There is an intricate balance at work: incidences of product losses will increase sharply as packaging is reduced past the point at which maximum benefit is derived.

While this is the most basic consideration, a bevy of other factors also affect sustainable packaging choices, including: perishability, spoilage, germ resistance, traceability/transparency, tampering prevention, and consumer preference. What if the lightest, most eco-friendly material ended up being slightly more perishable on the shelf? Because a careful balance must be struck, the manufacturer would need to leverage a cost/benefit analysis of the impact of improved carbon emissions during transport vs. that of an improved/extended shelf life.

It follows, that the nature of the progression toward packaging sustainability is laden with missteps and multiple iterations.  The movement grew from a call for more accountability for a brand’s footprint, and examples abound in both glowingly positive successes, as well as misguided attempts that require a complete reimagining.

Big CPG companies don’t always get it right: with its Sun Chips brand, Frito Lay violated consumer preference with a ‘green’ reasoning that wasn’t tailored to the brand’s audience.  With the launch of a noisy, compostable bag in the Fall of 2010, Sun Chips hoped to appeal to the 30% of adults that compost. The message was hopelessly lost as the noisy bag interfered with product enjoyment. Consumers responded by boycotting the brand amidst a deluge of YouTube parody videos.  Sun Chips later gained back much market share by revising the bag materials, and focusing on the ‘natural’ ingredients in the product itself.

Conversely, while ‘sustainability’ is perhaps not the first thing Puma is known for, it has been a driver in brand mindset. In late 2010, Puma teamed up with designer Yves Behar to design a shoebox that used recycled materials and less bulk.  The “Clever Little Bag” entirely did away with the box; rather, the design centered around folded recycled paperboard, enveloped by a polypropylene bag. Naturally, there were massive savings in production and transport, while the message of empowering choices resonated with consumers.

‘Sustainable packaging’ is then the measurable effect of the most efficient and hard-fought green packaging choices.

Private label branding has come a long way from its inception in the 1970′s to be perceived as a premium and legitimate alternative to major brands.

Only recently have retailers been able to break through traditional assumptions of lesser quality for a lesser price to reach ‘premium’ standing in the market. This is vital new territory, and where innovation is taking place today. Rising retailer caché & loyalty means private label profits handsomely, eroding into the market share of major CPG brands.

In fact, retail brand allegiance and standing has increased so much so, that brand adherents can readily be persuaded to consume most offerings, regardless of the product category. In the past, retailers would merely mimic the brand names and identities of the national players. Today, they establish brands with identities unto themselves. Retail brands with thought-out strategies, packaging, design and promotions are challenging the status quo. This approach and its adoption can be seen as a direct result of increased consumer/retailer loyalty. While many consumers are unaware of the ownership of such brands, those that are, only buy them because of their connection to the retailer, whose quality and ideals are now trusted.

By taking care to endow private label brands with ecologically sound & attractive packaging, retailers successfully cater to the consumer mindset that correlates appearance with quality. Two notable examples are Target’s Archer Farms brand, and Supervalu’s Culinary Circle brand. Archer Farms packaging successfully incorporates their signature-silhouetted rooster; texture and uppercase type across multiple kinds of products, signaling a connection to the farm stand locale and simple ingredients. Additionally, much of the packaging features unique structures and printing techniques, highlighting sustainability. The Culinary Circle packaging incorporates the semi-circular “chef’s mark” logo, designed to evoke the hand made drizzle of chocolate or specialty sauce as the finishing touch to any fine dish. The dark color palate adds elegance, while high-level photography is intended to depict handcrafted quality.

The reality today is that private label products are brands like any other. Year after year profit margins increase in super-saturated categories, effectively capturing market share from major brand competitors as retailers innovate across their private label lines. Creating intricate brands that offer more than just an attractive value proposition is what is making them so credible. It only took 40 years, but private label brands have finally taken their place among mainstream players in the ‘premium’ brand landscape.

FAI brands Cat Cora’s new professional quality line of cookware and serveware.
The packaging embodies the attitude of Cat from the choice of the stainless steel “iron chef”
to the pop green “modern mom.” The result is a mix of strength and beauty that sets her apart.

Professional Chef Tested… Modern Mom Approved.

FAI has 4 designs featured in The Big Book Of Packaging 384 pages of the most innovative packaging designs from around the world.

In stores Spring 2011.

UNION, N.J.–First-quarter net income for Bed Bath & Beyond reached $137.6 million, an increase of 58 percent over the bottom line in last year’s first quarter.

The retailer’s performance came about from a 13.5 percent rise in first-quarter net sales, which totaled $1.9 billion and which included a whopping 8.4 percent gain in same-store sales companywide. Bed Bath & Beyond also held its expenses relatively in check—with selling, general and administrative expenses edging up 4.8 percent and with a gain of 95 basis points in gross margin, which was 40.3 percent for the quarter.

During the first quarter, the company opened two Bed Bath & Beyond stores and two buybuy Baby stores. As of May 29, the company had 1,104 stores in all, which included 967 Bed Bath & Beyond stores in 49 states, the District of Columbia and Canada; 31 buybuy Baby stores; 61 Christmas Tree Shops; and 45 stores under the Harmon or Harmon Face Values names. Since May 30, which is the beginning of its fiscal second quarter, the company has opened one additional Bed Bath & Beyond store.

HFN is Home Furnishings News – 06/24/2010 link to article

working on some exciting stuff with Meredith corp.
Announcements coming soon.

fai design group worked on creating a unique look for macy’s flower show product and merchandise. and it was a huge success. We created a fantastic collection of Macy’s Flower Show memorabilia, including totes, tees and mugs, special plush toys and lots more!

Weil by Spring “The Healthy Kitchen” Collection – a cookware and kitchen designs was selected for Really Good Packaging Explained.

Most logos we researched in the soccer league lacked the ‘energy’ we were looking for. Our goal was to create a strong, action-driven logo which successfully added an energetic atmosphere throughout the arena and helped to pulled the whole event together in an exceptional way,” Says FAI Partner Allison Schwartz.

Ever wonder what makes a package design really successful? “Really Good Packaging Explained” addresses the elements of effective packaging and what makes a particular design more powerful
or attention-grabbing than others. Four well-respected design professionals — each of whom specializes in the area of product packaging — evaluate 300+ design examples in the book and provide specific observations and critiques.

FAI received five American Graphic Design & Advertising Awards 2009

The entries:
Dr. Weil Spring – Cookware Packaging
Linens-N-Things – Retro Tins Candy Packaging
Bed Bath & Beyond – Flannel Bedding Packaging
Bed Bath & Beyond – Bamboo Bedding Packaging
New Jersey Ironmen Logo
Were among the winners.

The AGDA Awards honors outstanding new work from print and packaging to internet and interactive design.

fai created a fantastic collection of Macy’s thanksgiving day parade memorabilia, including jack-in-the-box, Kaleidoscope, tees and mugs and lots more!