Design delight for Stranger & Stranger

Stranger & Stranger dominated the field in The Drinks Business Awards 2012 Design & Packaging category, winning the prize for its work across both wine and beer.

One of the most hotly contested fields at this year’s awards, the Design & Packaging shortlist was divided so that wine, beer and spirits could be judged individually.

As one of the most important factors for consumers choosing between the bewildering array of brands on the UK retail shelves, design entries needed to impress the judges not only by appealing effectively to the product’s target audience, but also by their ability to stand out from the crowd and bring creative flair to an often conservative sector.

Stranger & Stranger scooped the prize for Best Design & Packing – Wine, for its VML Pinot  Noir, which beat Copestick Murray Wine Solutions’ “I heart” design into second place. The judges also requested a Special Commendation for Barlow & Doherty’s Signature Style for Morrisons.

In the spirits category, Master of Malt stood out from the crowd as its Bath Tub Gin took the prize, leading the way in what is traditionally on of the most dynamic sectors of the trade.

Stranger & Stranger shone once more in the beer category, winning the award with its Hopper Whitman design

For a full list of this year’s award winners, click here.

To read more about the current trend for retro packaging, the increased collaboration between the drinks sector and art world, and what’s driving these shifts, see our design feature in the May issue of the drinks business.