The best of 2010: The top three Branding & Packaging Seeds of the year

US, UK – After careful consideration, I have selected a musical totem, a new trainer box and a leather case for fans of premium whisky as my packaging Seed highlights of 2010.

For the release of Matthew Dear’s Black City album, design agency Boym created a limited-edition totem. The hand-cast aluminium sculpture replaced the need for a physical music medium by giving buyers access to the digital file online, encouraging listeners to reconsider their relationship with music in the digital era.

Often the most impactful ideas emerge when designers rethink everyday items. Yves Béhar’s Fuseproject redesigned the shoe box for sports lifestyle brand Puma and developed the Clever Little Bag, a more energy-efficient solution that made careful use of materials.

My third and favourite packaging highlight was the Ambassador leather case for The Balvenie whisky by Here Design. The handmade leather case captures the story of the production process and is an outstanding example of how narrative can become part of the luxury lexicon.

Every day from 20 December until the end of the year, the LS:N Global team is choosing its favourite stories from 2010. We will resume normal service on Tuesday 4 January 2011.