Rudy Sanchez
Author · Other
Articles & interviews
- Mimitime Launches Konjac Jelly Snacks for US Consumers
Cocokind founder Priscilla Tsai and beauty influencer Ava Lee have launched Mimitime, a US-focused konjac jelly snack brand. Made in Korea and positioned around K-beauty, the three-flavor range combines low-calorie jelly pouches with marine collagen and skin-benefit claims.
- Rest Stop Designs Timeless, Sunny Look for Four Walls Whiskey
Creative studio Rest Stop designed the brand identity and packaging for Four Walls, an Irish American whiskey launched by It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia co-stars Glenn Howerton, Rob McElhenney, and Charlie Day. The sunny, timeless look takes inspiration from Irish American dive bars and heritage beer and spirits brands, reflecting the brand's bar-centered premise.
- Pumpkin Spice Returns for 2026 as Brands Launch Fall Editions
The article reports that brands are again releasing limited-edition pumpkin-spice products for the 2026 fall season. It also notes waning consumer interest in pumpkin spice, with search interest declining as alternative fall flavors such as apple, maple, and banana gain attention.
- Glossier Chases Cool in the Masstige Beauty Cycle
A U.S. district judge allowed J.M. Smucker's trademark lawsuit against Trader Joe's to proceed over the latter's frozen crustless PB&J sandwiches, which Smucker alleges copy Uncrustables' protected design. Trader Joe's argued that its sandwich has a distinct rounded-square "squircle" shape and that Uncrustables' 2024 packaging is not sufficiently famous for dilution claims. The article situates the case among other recent CPG and brand-infringement disputes involving Mondelez, Aldi, Buc-ee's, and Nut Huggers.
- Fungo Design Turns Fruit Packaging Into Seasonal Landform Portraits
Mother Goods created The Most Successful Gift, a luxurious cigarette-carton replica intended as a cancer-free alternative to cigarette gifting in China. The project responds to the social and business tradition of giving premium cigarettes while addressing the health risks of smoking.
- Tokin Jew Launches THC, CBD Zero-Proof Wine With Mitch Wiesen
All Día is a newly launched line of tequila-based ready-to-drink cocktails inspired by drinks including Ranch Water, Paloma, Chilton, and cucumber spritz. Helms Workshop created its packaging in collaboration with co-founder and creative director Ailee Petrovic, supporting a product positioned around a 2.5% ABV, real ingredients, and no added sugar.
- La Reina Debuts East LA-Inspired Packaging for Rolled Tortilla Chips
Betty Crocker, a General Mills baking brand, has introduced a refreshed brand look called “Bettier than Ever.” The update includes new product packaging and a collection of cake-themed handbags, extending the baking brand into fashion-oriented merchandise.
- Pink Drinks Drive Summer Branding Across Coffee Chains
Kyushu University researchers in Japan have developed flexible, biodegradable hydrogel food packaging that responds to the chemical signatures of bacterial growth by changing color. The material is also designed to self-heal after damage, helping prevent contamination and potentially keeping food fresh for longer.
- Five New Design Projects, Including Filthymedia’s Hamlet Campaign
Jacked Granny has launched a line of protein bars made with four simple ingredients. Rather than adding preservatives to support production at scale, the brand packages the bars in recyclable metal tins instead of flexible wrappers.
- Fortnum & Mason Chocolate Highlights Cacao Origins Through Postcard-Inspired Packaging
Rudy Sanchez examines the environmental trade-offs among beverage-container materials, including aluminum, glass, plastic, and emerging paper bottles. The article argues that plastic beverage cans fitted with metal tops are an especially poor option because their mixed-material construction makes them difficult to recycle.
- Five New Design Projects, Including SVEA Solar by Justified Studio
Jif, owned by The J.M. Smucker Co., has unveiled its first significant brand refresh in 30 years. Created with Soulsight, the updated identity aims to contemporize the peanut-butter brand and position peanut butter for uses beyond sandwiches.
- Wesley Ebelhar Creates Trippy Title Sequence for Hulu’s 4×20: Quick Hits
Forchewn has launched a specialty instant coffee brand that combines premium coffee with the convenience of single-serve sachets. Its packaging uses tarot-card-inspired branding and is entirely plastic-free and recyclable, while each box includes a small gift.
- Jacked Granny Uses Recyclable Metal Tins to Skip Preservatives
The article warns covered plastic producers and distributors that California's Individual Source Reduction Plan deadline is August 1, 2026. It frames the state's EPR requirements as a need for comprehensive packaging redesign, local recycling end-markets, and careful compliance planning in response to a required 25% plastic reduction by 2032.
- Lumberfly Animates Equip Super’s Character-Driven “Super Equipped” TVC
Skincare brand Botnia has launched its Gentle Sun Cream SPF 30 after six years of development. Copenhagen-based studio HUGMUN designed the sustainable packaging, using an aluminum tube and an embossed depiction of a crumpled aluminum tube on the outer box, produced with printer Marceli.
- Atari Art Told Video Game Stories 8-Bit Graphics Couldn’t
The article by Rudy Sanchez explores how Atari’s art and packaging design during the late 1970s and early 1980s helped tell stories that the limited 8-bit graphics of the time could not. It highlights the role of illustrators and designers in shaping the emotional and narrative appeal of early video games through box art and printed materials. The piece reflects on the cultural importance of physical media in the early gaming era.
- Quill Celebrates 70 Years With a Nostalgic Printed Catalog
The article announces Quill’s 70th anniversary celebration through a nostalgic printed catalog that revisits the brand’s history decade by decade. It reflects on the shift from physical catalogs to digital browsing while celebrating the tactile charm of print media.
- WD-40 Wins by Innovating Packaging, Not Rebranding
The article highlights WD-40 as a rare example of a legacy brand that has maintained its original identity since 1958 while continuing to innovate through packaging rather than rebranding. It emphasizes the brand’s enduring recognition and success in the home and garden market.
- Kraft Offers TSA-Friendly Ranch for World Cup Fans
The article reports that Kraft is capitalizing on international fans’ newfound love for ranch dressing during the 2026 World Cup in the United States by offering a TSA-compliant ranch keepsake. The initiative allows visitors to take home a small, travel-safe bottle of ranch as a souvenir. The piece highlights Kraft’s clever marketing tie-in with global sports tourism.
- CREATOR Act Limits AI Style Theft but Leaves Training Loophole
The article discusses the CREATOR Act, a bipartisan bill designed to protect artists from unauthorized AI replication of their visual styles. While supported by Adobe, the bill does not prevent AI systems from being trained on artists’ works without consent, leaving a significant loophole in protecting creative ownership. The piece highlights ongoing tensions between technological advancement and intellectual property rights in the creative industry.
- Snapple Releases Limited-Edition Knicks Championship Bottles for Fans to Hunt
Snapple released a limited-edition glass bottle celebrating the New York Knicks’ 2026 championship win. Only 100 bottles were produced, featuring Knicks-themed labels, and fans can find them through social media clues. The campaign ties into the city’s celebratory mood following the team’s first title since 1973.
- Aaron Paul Shapes Dos Hombres Tequila’s New Look and Identity
The article profiles Aaron Paul’s creative direction behind Dos Hombres’ refreshed identity as the brand expands into tequila. The redesign maintains the recognizable two-donkey emblem while simplifying the label and introducing a warmer color palette to convey authenticity and approachability.
- Parm Bars Recast Parmesan as a High-Protein Workout Snack
Dairy Management Inc. launched the 'Body by Cheese' campaign to promote cheese as a high-protein snack for athletes. The initiative includes 'Parm Bars,' 2-ounce Parmesan blocks packaged by Mischief in wrappers parodying sports nutrition branding. The campaign partners with fitness influencers like Peloton instructor Adrian Williams to spread awareness.
- Report Says Starbucks Misleads Customers About Cold Cup Recycling
A report by non-profit Beyond Plastics accuses Starbucks of misleading customers about the recyclability of its cold cups. The investigation tracked cups placed in Starbucks recycling bins and found they were not actually recycled. The report urges Starbucks to improve its sustainability practices and stop misrepresenting recycling claims on in-store signage.
- Boston Beer Relaunches Lytt in Lightbulb-Shaped Plastic Booze Bottles
Boston Beer Company has relaunched its Lytt brand, shifting from organic hard teas to a flavored malt beverage line. The refresh includes a new logo and packaging that replaces aluminum cans with lightbulb-shaped plastic bottles, evoking a playful, novelty-driven aesthetic. The article briefly notes the sustainability trade-offs between aluminum, glass, and plastic packaging.
- Coca-Cola Ends Minute Maid Frozen Juice Concentrate After 80 Years
The article reports that Coca-Cola has officially discontinued Minute Maid’s frozen juice concentrate line after 80 years on the market. Once a WWII-era innovation that popularized orange juice at breakfast, the product has seen declining demand as consumers move away from sugary, processed foods. The piece reflects on the nostalgic value of the frozen can format while noting that the Minute Maid brand will continue producing other fruit beverages.
- Cactus Country Refreshes Bad Hambres With Bold Phoenix-Inspired Burrito Branding
Cactus Country refreshed the brand identity for Bad Hambres, a Phoenix-based frozen burrito brand that gained popularity through social media. The redesign refines the existing identity while celebrating the brand’s Arizona roots and bold personality.
- Cannabis Branding Transformed Over the Past Decade
The article by Rudy Sanchez explores how cannabis branding has evolved over the past decade, moving from unrefined, underground aesthetics to sophisticated, boutique-style identities. It attributes this transformation to legalization trends, shifting consumer expectations, and the normalization of cannabis within mainstream retail environments.
- DoorDash Launches DashLoop Reusable Container Pilot
DoorDash has launched a pilot program called DashLoop, introducing returnable and reusable takeout containers to reduce single-use plastic waste. The pilot is limited to ten restaurants in the Half Moon Bay area, where customers are responsible for returning the containers. The initiative reflects growing efforts in the food delivery industry to address environmental concerns through sustainable packaging solutions.
- Cardi B's Grow-Good Is Finally Here, With a Visual Identity By Bully
Cardi B has launched her long-awaited haircare brand, Grow-Good, featuring a visual identity and packaging design by creative agency Bully. The branding draws inspiration from Bronx bodegas and highlights Dominican ingredients like green banana, moringa seed, aloe vera, and avocado. The line debuted with shampoos, conditioners, a serum, and a hair mask, selling out quickly after launch.
- Adding Fake Eyes To Takeout Containers Might Stop Seagulls From Stealing Your Lunch
The article reports on UK researchers testing whether adding eye-like graphics to takeout containers can deter seagulls from stealing food. The concept builds on previous behavioral studies showing that animals and humans react to perceived observation with avoidance or vigilance. It highlights a creative intersection of behavioral science and packaging design.
- The Best April Fools' Day Pranks of 2026
The article by Rudy Sanchez on The Dieline highlights a selection of humorous brand-led April Fools’ Day pranks for 2026. It briefly mentions fake products ranging from AI-inspired food to spicy coffee creamers and edible delivery bags, celebrating the annual tradition of playful marketing stunts.
- Daniel Irizarry’s “Between Worlds” Explores Puerto Rican Identity
The Dieline article profiles designer Daniel Irizarry’s personal project 'Between Worlds,' a typographic self-portrait exploring Puerto Rican identity and the cultural duality experienced by members of the diaspora. The piece reflects on the tension of belonging to both Puerto Rican and American cultures while feeling unclaimed by either.
- OGC Launches Plastic-Free Mesh Bags for Produce
Organically Grown Company (OGC) has introduced new plastic-free mesh bags made from beechwood for packaging produce such as citrus, avocados, onions, and Brussels sprouts. The bags are biodegradable and feature recyclable paper tags, aligning with OGC’s commitment to sustainability and reducing plastic waste in organic food packaging.
- Louie Psihoyos Explores Microplastics in Netflix’s The Plastic Detox
The article features an interview with Oscar-winning director Louie Psihoyos about his new Netflix documentary, 'The Plastic Detox.' The film explores the health impacts of microplastics, following six couples who attempt to reduce plastic exposure to improve fertility. The piece highlights the growing awareness of microplastics as a human health issue beyond environmental pollution.
- Taco Bell Debuts Edible Hot Sauce Packet at Live Más LIVE
Taco Bell unveiled an edible, plastic-free Fire Queso sauce packet during its Live Más LIVE 2026 event at the Hollywood Palladium. The innovation highlights the brand’s push toward sustainability and creative packaging solutions within the fast-food industry.
- Lavazza Introduces Pod-Free 'Tabli' Coffee Maker
Lavazza has introduced the 'Tabli' coffee maker, a pod-free system designed to reduce waste from single-use coffee pods. The article highlights the environmental issues caused by billions of disposable pods and positions Tabli as a sustainable alternative that maintains convenience without the waste.
- We Buy Lots Of Bottled Water. Is There A More Sustainable Way?
The article by Rudy Sanchez discusses the widespread consumption of bottled water in the United States and questions whether there are more sustainable alternatives. It references data from Beverage Marketing Corporation and USA Facts to highlight bottled water’s dominance in beverage consumption and raises environmental concerns about packaging waste.
- Adobe Photoshop Harmonize Simplifies Adding and Removing Objects with AI
The article announces Adobe's new Photoshop feature 'Harmonize,' which uses AI to automatically blend added objects into images by adjusting color, lighting, and tone. It also introduces 'Generative Upscale,' a tool that enhances image resolution without losing clarity. The update continues Adobe’s push toward AI-driven creative workflows following its debut at Adobe MAX in Miami.
- Whiskey-Filled Bottles Turn Jenga Into a Boozy Party Game
The article introduces Janga, a Japanese company that has reimagined the classic Jenga game by replacing its wooden blocks with miniature bottles of barrel-aged Japanese whiskey. The first edition, called 'Zeus,' features handcrafted acrylic bottles adorned with playing card suits and packaged in a clear box with a crocodile leather strap. The concept blends luxury spirits packaging with playful, collectible design.
- Beer Bottle Designed to Stand Upright in Beach Sand
The article highlights Japanese designer Kenji Abe’s 2023 concept 'Ocean Blindness,' a beer bottle designed with a rounded, peaked base that allows it to stand upright when stuck into beach sand. The design rethinks the traditional beer bottle form for a specific environment, combining practicality with playful innovation.
- Pepsi Launches S’mores Collection for a Final Taste of Summer
Pepsi introduced a limited-edition S’mores Collection to mark the end of summer, featuring three 7.5oz mini cans inspired by the classic campfire treat—Toasty Marshmallow, Graham Cracker, and Chocolate. The packaging creatively integrates the Pepsi globe with illustrated s’mores elements against the brand’s signature blue background. The release celebrates nostalgic summer flavors in a playful, collectible format.
- Brooklyn and Bailey Launch itk Skincare Line
YouTube creators Brooklyn and Bailey McKnight have launched a new skincare line called itk in collaboration with beauty incubator Maesa. The packaging design blends sleek, tech-inspired typography and QR codes with earthy tones of red, green, and gold, reflecting both their digital roots and a sophisticated aesthetic. The boxes feature a logo cutout that enhances shelf presence.
- CleanO2 Turns Captured Carbon Into Soap That Cleans People and Planet
The article highlights CleanO2, a company that transforms captured carbon dioxide into soap, reducing greenhouse gases while creating sustainable personal care products. It briefly explains carbon sequestration and how CleanO2 upcycles CO2 into usable goods that benefit both people and the planet.
- California Law Shifts Plastic Waste Costs to Producers, Phases Out Single-Use Plastics
The article reports on California Governor Gavin Newsom signing SB 54, a new Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)-style law that shifts the financial and recycling responsibilities for plastic waste to producers. The legislation aims to phase out single-use plastics by 2032 and reduce overall plastic production by 25%. It represents a major policy move toward sustainable packaging and corporate accountability in waste management.
- LEGO Collectors Protest Plastic-Free Packaging for Blind-Bag Minifigures
The article reports on LEGO’s transition to plastic-free packaging for its collectible minifigures, replacing the traditional plastic blind bags with cardboard boxes. While the move supports sustainability goals, adult collectors are unhappy as the new packaging prevents them from identifying figures by touch. The piece references Brickset’s preview of the new design and LEGO’s testing of various paper and cardboard formats.
- Scientists Develop Fish Robots That Absorb Microplastics
The article reports on scientists from several Chinese and German universities developing fish-shaped micro-robots capable of swimming, absorbing microplastics, and self-healing. The innovation uses a clam shell-inspired material and responds to laser light for propulsion. The project represents a promising advancement in sustainable technology aimed at addressing ocean pollution.
- Unilever Opposed Bans on Unrecyclable Sachets Despite Public Pledge
The article by Rudy Sanchez on The Dieline reports that Unilever, despite publicly pledging to eliminate single-use unrecyclable sachets, has privately opposed bans on them. It highlights the contradiction between the company’s sustainability messaging and its lobbying activities, referencing a Reuters investigation that questions Unilever’s commitment to a circular economy.
- The Best Advent Calendars of 2021
The article by Rudy Sanchez on The Dieline highlights a selection of the most exciting Advent calendars of 2021. It discusses how modern Advent calendars have evolved beyond traditional candy or trinkets to include a wide range of themes and design styles, from classic Christmas motifs to minimal and elegant interpretations.