Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Oh Sh*t: Packaging at its Finest
Packaging designer Eric Hollings has figured it out.
Oh Shit! kits aid in situations ranging from a “walk of shame” to an “auto debacle” providing a neat package of everything needed at the worst of times.
The product itself is something of an amazing idea. The product addresses a huge audience in subject matter as well as in appeal. The kits provide extreme convenience and lends itself well to the future-tending nature of human society.
The “walk of shame” kit, for example, contains a t-shirt, ibuprofen, sunglasses, socks, toothbrush, and mouthwash.
It is unclear whether the product aims to be practical or humorous, but I would like to believe that it aims to do both. The product appeals as a gag gift as well as a kit that might actually one day come in handy. The product, thus, seems to sell itself. The product also relates to the everyday person, most likely all too familiar with a majority of the situations presented. The consumer feels a sense of familiarity with the product, even before their first purchase.
Furthermore, Hollings' packaging seems to encompass the humorous practicality of the product completely. His design is mainly minimalistic. Each kit comes with a differently colored cross making identification easy. The typography of his design also lend to a minimalistic approach. As humorous as the items of each kit are, Hollings seems to note that at the bottom of it all, you just have to buck up and use the kit. The kits are practical and most likely a complete necessity. There are no flashing lights and dancing elves, the simplicity of the product (as well as the packaging) is Oh Shit’s best pitch.
5:14 PM by jamie.