Nature can evoke thoughts of growth, fertility, healing, and harmony. So it’s no wonder that earthy colors, particularly greens, share these connotations. One company in particular takes the natural concept seriously with its products: AGI/Klearfold’s NatureSource Visual Packaging, a nature-based alternative to traditional plasic folding cartons, is made from corn, a 100-percent renewable resource. To communicate the eco-friendly composition of the material and strong nature connotations, designer Jeanine Testa employed a striking cornfield image and blue-green color palette for its promotional package.

“Considering the origin of the resin, it seemed natural to use the cornfield imagery as the theme of the package,” explains Testa. “The carton design is intended to communicate the product’s environmental value, uphold the brand’s reputation as a leading, high-performance package, and demonstrate the material’s versatility and transparency.” Testa created both the logo and carton design in Illustrator CS2. The symbol in the logo was derived from the silhouette of a cornstalk and was repeated as a diecut image in the carton’s internal cell.

“The carton displays full opaque ink coverage as well as transparency, as seen with the thin white ink film, or frost, on the internal cell,” says Testa. “The use of this internal cell enhances the package’s 3D quality, adding an intriguing depth to the cornfield image and evoking a pleasurable experience of looking into a lush cornfield.” The overall color palette portrays an “eco-friendly” theme with tints of earthy green for the logo and shades of green, gold, and sky blue displayed in the cornfield image.

Fonts Get Scamp (pure), Neo Neo (green), and Daly Hand (natural) at www.fonts.com. Find Carumba (earth) at www.myfonts.com. For a natural feel, select fonts that have a hand-drawn quality, but that also are not overly whimsical.

Explore Something as simple and everyday as an acorn can provide an intriguing color palette. Reveal details that will garner attention. Image 23116778, Joseph De Sciose, Nonstock, www.jupiterimages.com

Symbols Crushed cans, bottles, and more can serve as symbols for sustainability and effectively set an environmental tone. Image 22830719, Brand X Pictures, www.jupiterimages.com

Eco-friendly vendors For eco-friendly products and gifts visit www.ecoexpress.com for a Flowering Tea Chest or search one of the many links found at www.ecomall.com/biz/gift.htm.

PALETTE: Eco-Friendly

PALETTE: Combinations