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My next Christmas post features packaging design. The "Sweet Snuggles" collection is a gift range created for UK high street retailer Superdrug. It features a selection of sweetly illustrated creatures such as bears, reindeer and penguins. The packaging is a mix of boxes or wrap around cards and products include ear muffs, gloves and hats, mugs, and beauty gifts.

John Lewis have created an Alpine collection for their Christmas ranges in 2016. The theme for the range is 'Chamonix - inspired by The Alps' and features on food gift packaging, decorations, cushions, tablecloths, cards, wrap, and more. The motifs are folk inspired but very contemporary in style. A modern red, white and blue theme is used throughout the whole collection to create a coherent

I spent a couple of hours in Bristol last week and managed to take a look at some of the shops in Park Street like 'Rise' and 'Guild' and also popped into the Arnolfini Gallery. I mainly visited book and record stores but still managed to find some inspiring prints and patterns. Here are my snaps from the day featuring mainly book covers, some cards and wrap, and a smattering of homewares.

If you are looking for cute gift ideas then here are some ideas from UK retailer Accessorize. I had a browse around the store and website last week and picked out various designs on stationery, bags, and clothing.... Read the rest of this post

Joules have launched their Winter childrenswear ranges with lots of cosy onesies and pajamas. They also have a collection based around the theme London Zoo with lovely sketchy animals such as lions and zebras. I also loved this blue and pink colour combination (above and below). See more online at Little Joules. Also with Christmas just around

Cornish company Seasalt have some interesting patterns in their latest collection on jute bags, stationery, chocolate packaging and tea towels. Here are some of best..... 

Talking of Sainsbury's I noticed that they have recently repackaged their own label bakery products using repeat pattern designs. Just a little mention really but it caught my eye as I love to see pattern in use wherever it pops up.

It is this time of year thoughts turn to Christmas gift shopping and many of the online stores are already stocked with goodies. One of those is Bristol based Howkapow where co-founder and creative director Cat How has a good eye for design. The post begins with this colourful wrapping paper that is a Howkapow in-house exclusive. Other arrivals in the new Christmas selection include cushions

Whilst doing my sock research for a P&P showcase I came across Swedish brand 'Happy Socks'. The company was founded in Stockholm in 2008 by graphic designer Viktor Tell and advertising expert Mikael Soderlindh. Now a global brand they manufacture and retail socks and underwear in over 70 countries. The sock designs are colourful and fun but what really catches my eye is the fabulous packaging

Orla Kiely has done it again and created another wonderful licensing deal for her prints. This is time it is with UK retailer Halfords to produce a series of bicycles, bike accessories, and camping gear. Orla's designs now appear on everything from saddle covers, to tents and, enamel mugs. Branded under the Orla Kiely diffusion label 'Olive and Orange' (named after her labradoodle dog) there

Today we are taking a brief look at some packaging designs that feature lovely prints and patterns. The first are from Oliver Bonas where the beautiful colours and motifs on jewellery envelopes really stood out. They also have a new floral print and blue geometric design on on beauty and home packaging.

Next we have some packaging that caught my eye for it's fun typography and illustrations. These designs were spotted on summer garden toys at Matalan and feature a fun combination of jungle leaves, flowers, and insects on a stylish grid. Also spotted were nice type on kraft for their outdoor sports packaging and painterly marks on craft kits.

A new week begins with fresh designs from boutique Oliver Bonas. This UK design led retailer has 51 shops across the country and a lovely online store. New arrivals for Spring Summer 2016 include beautiful packaging on soaps and toiletries, typographic wall art, geometric cushions, painterly greetings cards, and a Memphis style notebook. You can see these items and lots more home and fashion

We continue looking at Mother's Day design with a look at the cards and gifts from Cath Kidston. They have a nice selection of floral cards and very pretty packaging on scented candles, along with a special mum's mug and other items such as stationery, scarves, and make-up bags.

More pretty gift packaging patterns, which I keep seeing particularly on soaps, this time from White Stuff. This fashion label have created a group of home and gift items to compliment their clothing, bags, and accessories.

As we are in the festive season I thought I would begin to highlight prints and patterns on products we might want to buy as Christmas presents. And as you may have heard me say before the packaging at this time of year is a real highlight for pattern fans. These soaps from Howkapow by Le Baigneur are a great example. A humble bar of soap (albeit a top quality one) is lifted to become a

These images from Oliver Bonas offer a brilliant splash of colour in dull November weather. They feature vivid patterned notebooks, beautiful gift packaging, neon frames, graphic rugs and a few contemporary Christmas decorations and cards. I love the use of pattern in packaging and here you can find some of the most stylish around. Scroll down for more Oliver Bonas delights.... Read the rest of this post

I have out and about shopping this weekend and one of the things to catch my eye was the new gift packaging lines in Boots. As we now in the Christmas shopping season the stores put a lot more emphasis on the design of the packaging and it's a great time to look for ideas and colours. Labels in Boots this year included lovely florals from Joules in grey and brights, and fashion conscious

Talking of Boots, they have teamed up with Orla Kiely to create a new toiletry range with lovely graphic packaging. The collection is exclusive to Boots and features two new scents; energising orange & caraway and calming sage and Lavender. And this got me wondering what else is new for winter at Orla Kiely? And here are a few newly designed phone cases that have been

This cute new storage boxes from Famille Summerbelle caught my eye last week. Made from strong cardboard and printed on all sides they come as a pack of four including pink, blue, black, and mustard. Because they are printed on all four sides and the roof you can keep turning them and creating different combinations. The houses are sent out flat pack and are super easy to assemble and dismantle

I was really pleased to spot this licensed collection by Kay Vincent of 'Ketchup on Everything' created for Magpie. Called 'Party Animals' it is a range of partyware featuring Kay's cute animal illustrations on everything you need for a children's tea party including : paper plates, paper cups, cake cases, cake stands, cards, wrap, tins, lunchboxes, suitcases and jelly bowls. The characters

Heathcote & Ivory recently launched two new product collections for their Vintage & Co label. New for Autumn Winter 15 the packaging features a variety of pattern designs. The collections are called "Patterns & Petals" and "Fabrics & Flowers". For inspiration the design team immersed themselves in British design and were inspired by china teacups, patterned book covers, wallpaper, stitched

I spotted this lovely new garden gifts collection by Wild & Wolf in John Lewis. Called 'The Thoughtful Gardener' the range features a garden journal, enamel mug, tools, tins, thermometer and more. I loved the variety of little trees featured in the designs mixed with handwritten typography. Another part of the range is a junior selection called 'Little thoughtful Gardener' which has a separate

Post by Jeanine

I fell completely in love with the gorgeous work of illustrator and hand-lettering artist Kate Forrester as soon as I stumbled upon it. Her striking and versatile style has earned her an extensive list of international clients and diverse projects, including book jackets, packaging, greeting cards, advertisements, billboards, and much more. Kate combines dynamic hand-lettering with lovely illustrations to create flowing, organic images and often explores new & exciting mediums including wood, chocolates, tattoos, laser-cut paper illustrations—and even wedding cake!

Kate is based in the UK and her impressive list of clients includes Tiffany NYC, Victoria’s Secret, Random House, Penguin Books, Crate and Barrel, The Guardian, Little Brown, Walker Books, Moonstruck Chocolates and many more.

See more of Kate’s work here: Portfolio | Blog

Nate Williams’ website is abundant with whimsical illustrations full of playful characters, beautiful patterns, textures and unique color palettes. His work has appeared on a variety products ranging from coffee packaging, pillow cases, tote bags and children’s books. Despite the wide range of products and applications, Williams’ work always remains fresh and instantly recognizable. His strong sense of playfulness distinguishes Williams as an inimitable, one-of-a-kind artist.

Be sure to take a look at his work here, and follow along on his instagram here.

Written by Bryna Shields.