I was shopping at Publix this weekend for some bbq treats when I spotted the updated Hostess packaging...

Check it out! The new design has been out for months, but up close it really works: not flashy, just smart. It solves everyday problems and earns space in your cart, and that’s what design is for.

The Bezos wedding invite has been making the rounds online and… yeah. It’s bad.

Canva-level clip art. Typography that feels like a high schooler discovered fonts. Negative space that makes my whole body cringe. The layout? Somewhere between a church bulletin and a MLM brunch flyer.

It’s the kind of design that would’ve gotten absolutely torn apart in any semester-one critique. And this is from the guy who could afford literally any designer in the world?

WAIT, is this another think piece about the KIND logo? I know... didn’t we all get sick of talking about this last month? But, over the last few weeks, I’ve seen the bigger picture is coming into focus and it feels worth revisiting.

While everyone’s busy debating whether the logo even changed when we should really be talking about this: their new pilot packaging. Some Whole Foods locations are now stocking KIND bars in recyclable, paper-based wrappers with minimal plastic. That’s a big deal in an industry where over 600 billion snack wrappers are tossed globally each year, and less than 9% of plastic ever gets recycled.

I grew up in the ’90s watching TV with my dad, and I remember seeing Shaq in those pinstripes. Back then, those jerseys weren’t just team gear, they were fashion. They showed up in school hallways, on corner store posters, and probably in more than one yearbook photo. That star-in-the-A logo? Burned into my memory.

Now the team’s rolling out a fresh take for the 2025-26 season, and honestly, I get the hype. It’s clean. It’s nostalgic. And it still feels sharp enough to fit the moment.

I keep seeing comments that BrewDog’s new rebrand feels “neutered.” But to me? It actually feels more punk than ever.

Years ago I picked up a can of Punk AF at Whole Foods - partly because the name made me smile, but mostly because the packaging stood out. It looked bold. It felt like something. And it actually tasted good (huge win for the AF category back then).

So when I saw the new design drop this month, I was curious. The words have shifted. “Post Modern Classic” is out. “Brewed Fresh” is in. Some people are mourning the loss of the chaotic typography and manifesto-style labeling.

Just saw the new Lipton logo today and my jaw dropped.

I grew up watching my mom drink Lipton every day - always iced, always with a ton of lemon. So I have a soft spot for the brand. And as a designer, I get extra curious when a legacy product messes with a logo I’ve seen my whole life.

This new one? It’s clean. Confident. All caps. It’s giving “heritage brand trying to feel bold again.”

But part of me misses the friendliness of the old one: the soft glow, the title case, the warmth. The new design adds a leaf (yay nature) and an “EST. 1890” stamp to remind us of its roots, but the vibe overall feels more... structured. Like the tea got promoted to upper management.

What’s the weirdest packaging choice you’ve seen lately that made you do a double take?

Here's mine: three tiny apples, packed like tennis balls in a clear plastic cylinder 🤯 🍎

Listen… my inner packaging nerd lit up at first. The form! The clarity! The future-kid-toy potential! I was in. Then I remembered: apples already come in compostable packaging. It’s called… a peel.

I’ve been seeing friends from college posting pics of the new Nintendo store in SF, and it’s giving major FOMO.

From what I’ve seen, it looks like everyone’s loving it. The design is bright, playful, packed with exclusive merch, and instantly recognizable. It’s a reminder that when experiential retail is done right, it doesn’t just sell products… it builds a world people want to step into.

Lately I’ve been seeing a lot of full-funnel marketing chaos in the wild 😵‍💫 .

It's not even bad creative, just creative in the wrong place. Like a six-figure video running as a cold ad with no hook. Or a “BUY NOW” carousel asking for money before anyone knows what you’re selling. (I won't name names...)

Personally, I think the natural aesthetic is a smart move, especially for younger audiences who are more into brands that feel rooted and intentional. The design dials back the chaotic energy of the old days - which is definitely a risk…

Packaging that looks great doesn’t always work great. This clever cat carton design got me thinking about how design choices ripple across inventory, merchandising, sales, and customer experience… and how important it is to think beyond the shelf.