"We take the packaging our food comes in for granted. Yet many of the boxes, bags and bottles that protect our edibles were once groundbreaking — both in their design and in how they changed our perception of what's inside. Sometimes, packaging is so distinctive, it transforms food from mere consumer product to cultural icon. As Stephen Heller, author of more than 100 books on design and popular culture, says, "Coca-Cola is not a bottle of soda — it's Coca-Cola.""
The Coca-Cola Co. commissioned this contoured bottle to distinguish its drink from those of competitors angling for a piece of the cola business. Long before Coca-Cola was associated with the color red, the clear glass bottle was etched with the brand's name in the scripted font the company has used for a full century. This year marks the 100th anniversary of that design, which remains instantly recognizable.When asked to define the principles of good design, Andrea Lipps, assistant curator at Cooper-Hewitt, listed memorability, legibility and noticeability. Those three qualities certainly describe this product — ubiquitous not just on grocery shelves but in pop culture, gracing everything from Andy Warhol's art to Elvis Presley's lips.
"It has stood the test of time as far as design that so supremely performs its function," says Lipps of the soy sauce bottle designed by the late Kenji Ekuan. The clear glass allows you to see exactly how much is left inside, while the red, dripless spout is both functional and adds a splash of color. The design also complements the way we use soy sauce — letting the liquid out in small quantities to avoid accidentally drenching our food. It's considered such an icon of form and function that the Kikkoman bottle is part of the Museum of Modern Art's collection.'via Blog this'
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