Branding + Bar Codes

I know you all are handing in your typologies assignment today, so this is purely for your enjoyment. I came across a cool project that might be of interest to the branding and bar codes groups (and everyone else, too!).

A graphic design firm took a look at cigarette packaging and explored how un-branding them and instead introducing barcodes could make them look less appealing.

http://www.fastcodesign.com/1663163/can-removing-cigarette-branding-discourage-smokers

The article goes into detail about the thinking behind it, so you can read it if your interested. They talk about this in the article, but the part I find fascinating is that after this very intentional exercise to make cigarettes less appealing, the packages still actually look really cool.

Sidenote: Build, the graphic design firm behind this, has some pretty interesting work. They're from the UK. I had heard of them before because they designed the awesome logo for the documentary "Objectified." (!)


-- Kristin.