Polaroid Packaging, the Apple of its Day

May 22, 2008 5:38 PM

The Branding of Polaroid 1957-1977: How we beat Eastman Kodak and its little yellow boxes at point of purchase despite a clunky product and an irrelevant corporate name.Graphic designer Paul Giambarba blogs about his experience creating Polaroid's iconic corporate identity, product packaging and print advertising while freelancing for Polaroid through the company's rise and fall.
posted by Chinese Jet Pilot (7 comments total)

Fascinating. Thanks.
posted by carter at 6:23 PM on May 22, 2008

Too bad they couldn't beat their inability to adapt to digital. Not that Kodak did much better (just enough better, actually).
posted by tommasz at 6:42 PM on May 22, 2008

yeah, I found this site via kottke 2-3 years ago and thought it would make a good FPP.
posted by tachikaze at 7:04 PM on May 22, 2008

Great read.
posted by Spacelegoman at 7:06 PM on May 22, 2008

Actually Kodak did pretty well. They are number 1 or 2 in the worldwide CCD supply business if I recall. It's pretty amazing actually that they managed the transition from basically a chemical supply company to a chip fab.
posted by Popular Ethics at 7:16 PM on May 22, 2008

PopEth: Yep, Kodak mainly snuck in where the much better armed competition wasn't looking. I'm expecting Microsoft to do at least as well when they switch over to making mini refrigerators for the third world.
posted by localroger at 8:38 PM on May 22, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

Given this design heritage it is criminal that Polaroid boxes today are covered in early 90s stock photos of gurning oafs. It really didn't need to fall apart completely as a company and trash its legacy. I so hope that someone buys up the tech, or just copies it, to keep the film coming.
posted by The Salaryman at 6:36 AM on May 23, 2008