Dieline Friday Wrap-Up: Horny Brands, Hot Pockets, & Challah Handbags

The Friday Wrap-Up is a newish column from Dieline where we talk about some of our favorite stories of the past week from the world of packaging and branding, whether it’s from Dieline or elsewhere. Expect a few shout-outs, fun, weirdness, and maybe even a little music.

It's the middle of July, and everything is sweat city.

One of the non-perks of being an editor is facing the doldrums of summer and the increasingly slow rollout of news until post-Labor Day, but there were still plenty of good newsy nuggets from this past week. On our end, we had a couple of high-profile redesigns, and we even graded our Trend Report from this past year.

Anywho, on to the links!

Behold, the Not-So Elusive Horndog

This piece from Nathan Allebach documents the relatively brief history of brands being horny on social media. If you’re following the crypto Radioshack saga, then I'm positive you’re well aware. What a time to be alive, no?

(Singing) Hot Pockets

Did you know that the little microwavable sleeve included with your Hot Pocket is called a “susceptor?” That is the kind of handy shit you’ll learn about when you check out our own Theresa Christine’s piece on the new Hot Pockets redesign from Interact Brands.

Fear Factory

We’re just starting to learn about the effects of plastic on human health, but this is an interesting piece from Elizabeth Segran over at Fast Company detailing some of the products intended to limit our exposure to harmful microplastics. So if you’re into brands exploiting consumers’ fears about the gobs of plastic they’re breathing in, this one’s for you!

Challah-lujah

You can now buy a challah handbag courtesy of Challah Dolly and Panache because carbs in breaded form will always be the hottest accessory. Shout-out to Snaxshot for putting it on my radar.

Poverty Porn

Wonderful piece from Liz Gorny over at It’s Nice That about whether or not photographers and creatives from non-working class backgrounds have the right to photograph and document low-income neighborhoods.

Gorny writes:

“As equipment became more accessible and photographic courses more numerous, an increasing number of practitioners have emerged–yet a particular kind of working-class documentation still prevails. Crucially, with recent statistics noting that only 16 percent of creative workers are from working-class backgrounds, its authors are often not working-class themselves and are frequently drawn to such territories for their ‘vibrance’ and struggles.

But, when a community does not have access to a photographer in their midst, does it not deserve representation? How, then, can a visitor do this ethically? What harm can a photograph pose to a community? This leads to another, perhaps more urgent consideration: if a territory has only ever been shot to its detriment by predominantly wealthy outsiders, should visitors continue to photograph there at all?”

Quiet Time

Solidarity with my fellow writers and editors that can only listen to jazz and ambient music when working because you can't be fucking with words.

Until yesterday, I didn’t know William Basinski had made a new album with Janek Schaefer. If you’re aware of The Disintegration Loops, you’ll find this to be a much more gentle, plaintive listen, chockful of serene piano and field recordings. Really stunning, really beautiful, and most importantly, quiet.

Why’d You Want To Live Here Department

The average rent in New York City is now $5000 a month, so this is your regular reminder that NYC sucks, and you can live literally anywhere else.

Ragu Keg Stands

Madone! 

Thank you, Chloe Gordon, for letting me know that pasta sauce on tap is a thing that exists. I understand that the refill angle here is razor thin, but the people need to know.

Got a news tip for us? Questions? How about some high praise or mean-spirited criticism? Or maybe an odd fact or statistic? I want to hear from you! You can reach me at bill@dielinemedia.com