Cracking the barcode

With the increase in self-checkouts in retail stores, Design Barcode presents a unique and disarming opportunity to brand the purchase decision, or just give your loyal patrons a little lagniappe.

It's also a good idea for those oversized boxes that are small enough to put in the shopping cart, but too big to roll down the conveyor belt. Computers, lawn equipment, HVAC, grills, artificial Christmas trees. And how cute would it be for a baby furniture manufacturer to add a little fun to the barcode that mom and dad are throwing their back out trying to find so it can be facing up when they checkout.

Of course, form must follow function when you're tweaking the purchase process. That's why the folks at Design Barcode develop and test their designs to conform to worldwide barcode standards such as UPC-A and EAN-13.

It might even bring about a resurrection of promotions requiring proofs of purchase. Now if they could just do something about QR codes.

Cool as a Cucumber

Maybe we’re a little partial to the name (spelling aside), but here’s a toast to the artisans at Hendrick’s gin. Its infusion of cucumber and rose petals gives this Scottish small batch distillery a unique taste and quite the cult following.

Even more unique is this promotion of elegantly-wrapped cucumbers, a main garnish in many of their cocktail recipes. (Best to save your “wrapped cucumber” jokes for a less sophisticated crowd).

Each meticulously-designed wrapping is printed with 6 unusual cocktail recipes. They are sealed with a sticker and placed in wooden produce crates ready for delivery–- accompanied by a bottle of the potent potable, we would assume.

This makes the case that print is not dead, but when used wisely, can even be cherished. I would have a hard time throwing away such an attractive and useful piece of printing.

So, take note…. the next time you need to make a mundane gift or garden-variety vegetable look more expensive:

1) Wrap it in pretty paper.
2) Place it in a wooden crate.
3) Call it a day.