Andy Kurtts’ Post

I finally got my hands on some Fishwife packaging from our local Whole Foods Market. My first impression is the scale – I didn't realize how small the packaging is. After only seeing it online, I assumed it was much larger because of the intricate details in the design and illustrations. It totally makes sense, though, as these are tins of tuna, so the format isn't a large one. I'm fascinated by how different the design is, especially for the tinned fish category. Hand-drawing everything, especially the Net Wt., is such an interesting choice. I often hear arguments about legibility, particularly with script used for the Fishwife logo, but they’ve leaned into these quirky elements. I'm also very curious about the amount of time and effort that goes into each SKU with each custom illustration detail. I could see, over time, this becoming expensive and prohibitive for line extensions, but it looks darn fun, unique, and cool. I love the colors – the use of bright pinks, yellows, and greens is not just bold but also evokes a sense of fun, freshness and a bit of nostalgia. From the charming illustrations of fishing boats and underwater scenes to the quirky mermaid mascot, every detail on the package is thoughtfully designed to create a cohesive and delightful brand experience. Fishwife has mastered the art of packaging that is not only visually appealing but also rich in storytelling and sustainability. It's a perfect example of how design can elevate a product and create a deeper connection with consumers. I know I’m a little late to the Fishwife party, but what do you all think? #PackagingDesign #Sustainability #BrandStorytelling #DesignInspiration #ConsumerGoods #ButtermilkCreative #betterwithbuttermilk

While attending the recent Specialty Food Association Summer #FancyFoodShow, visitors had the lucky opportunity to pop up to the River Pavilion at the Javits and attend the Vinexpo. It was an overwhelming display of wineries and distilleries (even had a NA section!), and I had the pleasure of tagging along with Glenn Pappalardo and his expert recommendations. We sampled from a delightful Lebanese winery and even tried some Slovenian "orange wine" - it’s always a blast wandering with someone who's super knowledgeable! Branding and packaging play a HUGE role in the industry - and while there were plenty of cool designs, below are my absolute standout faves: Spiritueux Alpha Tango Wandering the various booths, I was stopped in my tracks by the design from Alpha Tango. Their custom label shapes, each expressing the spirit and personality within the bottles, are just awesome. I loved the vintage-tinged nostalgic vibe of their offerings. The labels struck a perfect balance between design and showcasing the product in the bottle. My favorite? The Bravo Charlie packaging - love the gold foil details in the billowy clouds. Vintagience Sake You might not see it in the photos, but these vintage sake labels have a subtle shimmer under the design. It perfectly conveys the elegance and spirit of the brand. Each design features clock hands, hinting at time and highlighting that these sakes are relatively old - the Hekiu is 28 years old, the Honoka is 23 years old. It blew my mind! In a world where everything seems new, it’s refreshing to see products that need time to mature. The vision is inspirational. WineLab Hollowleg (NA) My favorite NA packaging was from Hollowleg. Their colorways and swirling, wormhole-like imagery on each label are mesmerizing. The font used for their wordmark and the subtle raised elements on the labels provide a great textural experience (I didn’t get a chance to snap a picture, so I’m borrowing one from their site). Some of the most creative packaging design happens in the wine, beer, and spirits world - I often go there for inspiration. Visiting Vinexpo while already at the Javits was an awesome opportunity to soak in all this design innovation in one spot. The variety on display was amazing, and the folks doing the sampling were so friendly, going in-depth about their brand and offerings. On a side note, each of these brands has beautiful websites, adding to their full-circle design experience. Check them out below: https://lnkd.in/e2qPEYdi https://lnkd.in/eDU7fBRt https://lnkd.in/eETY2kGg Did you check out Vinexpo while at Fancy Food? What were your faves? #Branding #PackagingDesign #Vinexpo #SummerFancyFoodShow #WinePackaging #SpiritsPackaging #DesignInspiration #ButtermilkCreative

Happy birthday to the humble Caesar Salad! (oh and the 4th of July!) I was today years old when I discovered that the Caesar Salad, a staple in many of our diets, was actually invented 100 years ago by an Italian immigrant named Caesar Cardini. To my surprise, this iconic dish was created not in Italy, but in Tijuana, Mexico, at Cardini's restaurant on Avenida Revolución in downtown Tijuana. (As a kid - and until recently, I thought it was invented by the Roman Emperor Caesar! 🤦♂️ ) NPR and Neda Ulaby has a great write-up and story about the history of this famous salad, check out here: https://lnkd.in/e3bGmcG4

Getting ready for a family trip with lots of outdoor time, I snagged a sun shirt from one of my go-to brands - Outerknown. I’ve got a few pieces from them, including their iconic "Blanket Shirts" (super versatile) and swim trunks designed by legendary surfer Kelly Slater himself. Their quality and commitment to sustainability are top-notch. I love Outerknown because they're all about sustainable fashion, putting people and the planet first. Their packaging is impressive too. They use recyclable outer envelopes from Ecology Packaging LLC and plastic-free inner envelopes from Vela. It’s the first time I've seen this type of inner envelope and it’s a game-changer for sustainability. (How many Amazon bags are floating around out there???) The rigid outer envelope feels very sturdy and premium. The Vela FSC® certified tissue bags are awesome - they’re curbside recyclable and keep clothes safe during shipping. Any other brands making eco-friendly moves? I'd love to learn more - share and tag in comments. Y'all seen these? Cory Connors ♻️📦 Adam Peek EVELIO MATTOS #Sustainability #EcoFriendly #PackagingDesign #Outerknown #ButtermilkCreative #betterwithbuttermilk

There’s truly nothing quite like Eataly. While in NYC last week for the Specialty Food Association’s Summer #fancyfoodshow I couldn’t resist a detour to one of my favorite spots – Eataly. I've visited the Downtown location, but this time I checked out Eataly Flatiron before hopping on my flight home. The moment I stepped in Eataly Flatiron didn’t disappoint. Compared to the expansive Downtown location, Flatiron’s cozy, almost cellar-like vibe was a refreshing change. The market was bustling with shoppers, and I loved the way cafes and restaurants were tucked between the grocery shelves, creating little microcosms of culinary delight. I've included pictures of some of my faves: - The seafood section caught my eye - especially the octopus on display! - ST. JAMES SMOKEHOUSE "SAINT" Salmon packaging with its beautiful blue color and interesting dot design. - Those quail eggs – the natural patterns and colors were stunning! - The Pastificio Morelli 1860 S.R.L pasta packaging also got my attention. The clear bags with paper labels grommeted on top had a real handmade, artisan feel. Hearing Italian spoken casually between customers and employees was a treat. It’s a small detail, but it made me feel like I’d been transported to Italy. From the perfectly executed in-store cafes and restaurants to the wide range of products, including lots of local NYC goods, it’s always an interesting visit. While the product mix predictably skews Italian, there’s plenty of variety. Always make time to explore unique markets when you travel. Whether it’s a specialty store like Eataly or a conventional grocery store chain, there’s always something new and inspiring to discover. Have you been to Eataly? What were your experiences? #RetailExperience #EatalyNYC #SpecialtyFoodShow #PackagingDesign #TravelInspiration #ButtermilkCreative #betterwithbuttermilk

It should be a crime to be as kind and as talented as Vic Lee is. Just take our latest Kirk + Kurtts Design Podcast episode featuring the one and only for a spin and I dare you to leave uninspired. I had such a great time chatting with Vic and Kirk Visola (he/him) -  the part that really resonated with me was Vic taking the leap to become a full-time artist in the midst of a very promising design career. He knew he wasn’t being true to himself, and while he probably could’ve continued making plenty of money, he opted for the road less traveled - and became creatively more fulfilled. And he's making truly inspirational work - especially the murals - at the very design agencies he used to work for. Except now he's creating on his own terms. Take a listen: https://lnkd.in/evNTxcAJ And please leave us a review - appreciate it! https://lnkd.in/ek5S8UNq #Podcast #Design #Art #CreativeJourney #MuralArt #VicLee #KirkandKurtts #Inspiration #CreativeCareer #DesignCommunity #ArtistLife #NewEpisode #ListenNow #designpodcast #buttermilkcreative #betterwithbuttermilk

It was so fun to be back at the Specialty Food Association’s Summer #fancyfoodshow and sample all the incredible brands exhibiting! The show had a great positive energy - bustling, but not overly crowded, making it easy to navigate the aisles. I heard from multiple exhibitors that they were able to connect with buyers and have productive conversations. I had the pleasure of walking the show with my friend and client, Lindsay Hancock, as she introduced My Better Batch to attendees. It was rewarding to hear the positive feedback on the packaging I designed. Meeting industry leaders like Fred Hart and LaRon Batchelor was a highlight. Fred and I had a brief but meaningful conversation, and I’m excited to connect at future shows. LaRon’s work with Edenesque is truly inspiring. It wasn’t all work! I enjoyed time with the SKU crew at their rooftop gathering, celebrated the winners at the #sofi Gala Awards and tagged along with Jomaree Pinkard and John Lawson to the Unfancy Party. Reconnecting with Monica Watrous from Nosh.com was a delight, especially over Carbone Fine Food pasta. New York City remains one of my favorite cities. Despite a short visit, wandering from the Javits Center to Hudson Yards and Eataly was a treat. For more brand highlights, check out the newsletter linked below. #specialtyfood #networking #branding #buttermilkcreative #wefancy #betterwithbuttermilk

Happy Saturday everyone! Excited to head to the Specialty Food Association #fancyfoodshow Sunday thru Tuesday. It's one of my favorite shows, partly because it's in one of my favorite cities, NYC! The array of specialty products is staggering – it's always a thrill to discover new gems and reconnect with old friends. I'll be looking for interesting products with great design and can't wait to share what I find. Who should I visit? Add their booth number in the comments and I'll add to my show planner. #SpecialtyFood #PackagingDesign #Networking #NYC #FoodIndustry #ButtermilkCreative #SummerFancyFoodShow

Early in my career, I faced what felt like a few significant setbacks. While my college friends were landing jobs at cool, creative agencies, I found myself in what seemed like a less glamorous in-house design role at a grocery store. Whenever a rare opportunity arose, I applied to local agencies, but despite my best efforts, I was consistently rejected. My portfolio, heavy with retail work like signage, brochures, and private brand packaging, wasn’t what they were looking for. Additionally, many agencies saw me as a potential conflict of interest because of The Fresh Market's size and potential as a client. In hindsight, those rejections were a blessing in disguise. Working in-house at The Fresh Market turned out to be one of the best experiences for my career trajectory. I had the unique opportunity to listen in on buyers' conversations about product selections. This gave me insights into why certain products were chosen and others weren’t. Packaging compliance, design quality, and market fit were frequent discussion points, providing invaluable understanding of the retail landscape. I also worked on numerous private brand packaging projects, rapidly learning about different substrates, formats, and printing techniques. Seeing my designs on shelves across the chain felt like a small taste of celebrity and provided continuous feedback from buyers. Handling over 500 projects a year taught me to design efficiently and quickly, a skill that has been immensely beneficial in my later career. A pivotal moment came in the early days of Buttermilk Creative during a prospective client call when I realized how my in-house experience was a massive asset. My deep understanding of retail design and packaging, honed at The Fresh Market, suddenly became a significant selling point rather than a perceived weakness. This experience has since opened many doors and laid the groundwork for the work we do for our clients. For those facing rejections or career setbacks, here’s my advice: Understand the big picture and don't get discouraged by the daily grind. Every experience, even the ones that feel like failures at that moment, can provide valuable lessons and opportunities for growth. Embrace them, learn from them, and let them fuel your journey to success. I wish I had known this back then, but I hope someone early in their career who isn’t exactly where they envisioned can find some value in my story! #CareerJourney #DesignExperience #PackagingDesign #CareerAdvice #Resilience #ProfessionalGrowth #InHouseDesign #ButtermilkCreative #RetailDesign #CareerSetbacks #LessonsLearned #CreativeCareer #SuccessStory #EarlyCareer #DesignInspiration #betterwithbuttermilk

Laura Silverman questioned at the beginning of this episode why Kirk Visola (he/him) would bring her on the Kirk + Kurtts Design Podcast - as she's not the typical guest profile - but Kirk and I thought, why WOULDN'T we bring her on? Introducing the term "NAnthropologist" - a mash-up of "NA" and "Anthropologist" - to describe the field Laura has pioneered. Her knowledge of the non-alcoholic beverage brands is expansive, and she doesn’t just look at what brands are cool (like Kirk and I do) - her assessments are multidimensional and thoughtful. When she gives recommendations (and she gives many in the episode - listen for them!), you take note and immediately go out and buy all of it. This is such a fun and timely episode with all the focus on the #NA category and the shift in drinking culture to less or no alcohol at all. And as Laura says, she's at the nexus of this industry. Listen in and learn from Laura: https://lnkd.in/epUSmg2i And make sure to follow Laura and Haylee Jordan and tune into their next #NADossier episode. And please review the show if you have a sec! #DesignPodcast #MentalHealthAdvocate #NonAlcoholicBeverages #ZeroProofLifestyle #PodcastEpisode #Branding #MindfulDrinking #DesignInspiration #betterwithbuttermilk