Spelling it out: Graphic lessons in manners

London – British furniture retailer Heal’s has collaborated with artist Jeremy Hutchison to create tongue-in-cheek black and white graphics on products that tell them how to behave.

Heal’s Rules use black and white graphics, including instructions on how to sit, eat and speak. Teacups tell people ‘Never lift the little finger’, and bowls tell consumers ‘Don’t blow on your soup’. The rules date back to 1915, when Britain was at war. At the time, the nation made an effort to ‘cripple German industry through the sheer power of British design’, according to Heals.

LS:N Global has previously reported on how clean graphics are used to communicate a message. This is also a great example of how Prohibition Culture can shape design.