Each year the entries for Harpers Design Awards deliver much to delight, with the bar raised time and again, and so it proved once more with our 2020 judging. This year delivered many exemplary category winners, along with a host of worthy gold, silver and bronze medals.
Delivering the right mix of appeal, cues, imagery and information on the label and associated packaging has become increasingly important in a crowded marketplace, with consumers as demanding as they have ever been in terms of wanting products that speak to them about their lifestyle choices and reaffirm their values.
Moreover, for those who make it their business to buy and sell wines and spirits, the allure or otherwise of design and packaging can make the difference between a painstakingly crafted product sitting on the shelf or back bar and making it to its intended destination, washing over taste buds on its way down somebody’s throat.
Step up this year’s contenders, which excited, impressed, intrigued and occasionally perplexed as much as ever. From the evidence in front of the judges, the evolution of labels continues apace, with ever more storytelling, plus evocative and even subconscious hints at style and character to the fore, rather than ‘in-your-face’ lectures about soils and sub-regions and suggested drinking occasions.
A big thanks to all of our judges for taking part in our virtual judging session this year, and many congratulations to both our winners and all who entered, making it one of our most exciting and hard fought Design Awards yet.
For the full results in all their design glory, please click through here.