WAHACA

I was walking around West End today and came across some funky looking restaurant/bar called Wahaca. Never heard of it before, I think it must be new. I didn't go in but I checked their website later and I love it!!!!!!!!!!!!!I wish I designed something like that!


















I investigated to find out who is responsible for this amazing design and found out it's BuroCreative from London. They have done loads of good branding, very my kind, very inspirational. Thumbs up!!!!!

CONFIDENCE BOOSTER

Alenka Gomboc FDA Year 1

PACKAGING DESIGN: OFFICE FOR PIRATE SUPPLY STORE

Now this is one of my favourites. I have actually seen it a while ago but I still love it which means it must be great! I really think the way they have designed and written things is really clever and funny. The whole thing was designed by Office for Valencia 826 which is a nonprofit writing and tutoring center for kids aged between 6-18 in San Francisco. Back in 2002 they wanted to take over the building on 826 Valencia Street but the landlord told them the address was zoned for retail. That's how they opened an amazing Pirate Store.

If you want to know more about Valencia 826 and Pirate Store and you can't be bothered to read, here it is explained by its co-founder Dave Eggers

PACKAGING DESIGN

Good site for packaging design, more analytical, educational and critical. Things about branding trends, branding sustainability, case studies, emotion in branding, etc.
http://www.jkr.co.uk/design-gazette/

MORE FENTIMANS

Another Victorian beauty from Fentimans. I am a great fan of theirs, as you've probably figured.
Just read a few stories about their drinks and I think they might be useful for my "Confidence Booster" beverage. Here they go:
Curiosity Cola
"In the bygone times when colas were first brewed they were thought of as a remedial concoction created by the apothecaries and heralded as an elixir with health enhancing properties. Nowdays we drink cola for it's taste and it's stimulationg 'kick'. Fentimians Cola is however a little special in that it includes in it's curious recipe Catuaba and Guarana extracts. Curious?
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yes, it did make me curious! I have tried it, it tastes good. But it made me even more curious about this Catuaba plant as I never heard of it before. I just checked and it says that the infusion of the bark is used in traditional Brazilian medicine as an aphrodisiac and central nervous system stimulant. I even found some images of Catuaba drinks and they need no further explanation ; )
















































Ginger Beer
In 1905 Thomas Fentiman, and iron puddler from Cleckheaton, was approached by a fellow tradesman for a loan. A deal was struck and some security was provided - in this case a recipe for botanically brewed ginger beer. The loan was never repaid, so Thomas became the owner of a unique and rather original recipe for success.
Originally, Fetimans Botanically Brewed Beverages were delivered in stone jars called “Grey Hens” and fermentation continued through door-to-door delivery. Thanks to Thomas' Fentiman's great-grandson, Eldon Robson, beautiful glass bottles have taken over the stone jars and pasturisation has given our natural sodas a longer life.
Today, every Fentimans Beverage is still made in the time-honoured tradition by brewing and fermenting herbs and milled roots over seven days. (This compares to hours production time for typical soft drinks.) Under the watchful eyes of Thomas Fentiman’s faithful prize Alsatian, Fearless, who still adorns the labels, our trademark recipes contain the unfiltered goodness of their natural ingredients. So upending the bottle before enjoying is always in order for a fuller, more invigorating taste that is ‘once tasted, never forgotten’.

MY NEW FRIEND: PEKO

This is what I have found in Teasmith the other day. A bit unusual thing to sell in a teashop but they have lots of interesting bits n bobs from Japan, not just tea.
Apparently this figurine called Peko was chosen amongst thousands of others on their trip to Japan and brought over. Something was attracting me to it so I bought it. I have later found "Peko" written at the back of its head which revealed more things about it. Apparently it's a really popular mascot in Japan. Read more about it here

TEA RESEARCH: YOGI TEA

http://www.yogitea.nl/

About

Before modern times, herbs and spices were combined in the form of teas to keep families healthy. Golden Temple Natural Products has continued this tradition through the development of a special line of Ayurvedic Teas, based on traditional Ayurvedic recipes.

Ayurveda, the ‘science of life’, is a practical and philosophical way of life from ancient India that prescribes conscious living and holistic prevention as keys to a balanced and long life. Our Ayurvedic Teas offer seasonal, digestive, relaxing, cleansing and energising support.

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Each tea box comes with an accompanying yoga position. Spiritual awareness of the brand.

TEA RESEARCH: YAUATCHA

Beautiful, sophisticated, different.
http://www.yauatcha.com/
this is bits of their philosophy described by Tank mag


When Alan Yau created the restaurant he meant it to be a place for talking and recharging of weary spirits. If not modelled exactly on the traditional Cantonese dim sum concept - which is as much about community as eating - it retains vestiges of these roots.

Tank magazine 2008

Here are some examples of their luxury packaging. Design by MadeThought.

LONDON TREASURES

I went down to Bricklane yesterday, there's always something going on there. I've been there millions of times but never noticed this. It's pretty cool.

NIGHT WALK: DALSTON

Two separate things but they look well together! Shaving salon and Mustache bar on Kingsland Road

TEXTURES, PATTERNS,...

some shiny thing...

NIGHT WALK: SHOREDITCH

Shoreditch is an ever changing treasure of little and big details. It's a great free exhibition place constantly edited by creative minds. It's good to go down there at least once a month as you always find something new. This is what I found this week

coins of a different origin in a frame

AROUND ME...TEXTURES, COLOURS, PATTERNS AND MUCH MORE

I went for a little walk around with the intention of finding textures and colours that grab my attention...It was interesting because I kept my eyes opened at all times and looked closer into places that I usually wouldn't. I still think the nature is the most amazing creator of us all, great inspiration. Recommended!