The Kirk + Kurtts Design Podcast

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PART ONE: On this episode of the Kirk & Kurtts Design Podcast, we're joined by none other than Chris Do, a heavyweight in the design and branding game. If you've ever wondered how a personal feud could spawn an iconic car brand like Lamborghini, you'll want to hear this.

We also dive into Google's 10x rule—because in Silicon Valley, playing it safe is the riskiest move. And speaking of risks and rewards, we delve into the tricky terrain of packaging design. With consumers' attention spans shrinking, your product has a split second to make an impression on the shelf. Chris gives us the lowdown on how to do it right.

Ever think you're too introverted to take center stage? Chris Do's personal journey from behind-the-scenes to media frontman proves otherwise. We chat about the potent combination of storytelling and branding, particularly in the attention-scarce landscape we're navigating today.

Don't miss this thought-provoking conversation where we cover everything from crafting compelling narratives to standing out in an overcrowded market.
Learn more about Chris here:
https://thefutur.com/people/chris-do
Connect with Chris here:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/thechrisdo/

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About Kirk and Andy.

Kirk Visola is the Creative Director and Founder of MIND THE FONTTM. He brings over 20 years of CPG experience to the packaging and branding design space, and understands how shelf aesthetics can make an impact for established and emerging brands. Check out their work http://www.mindthefont.com.

Andy Kurts is the Creative Director and Founder of Buttermilk Creative. He loves a good coffee in the morning and a good bourbon at night. When he’s not working on packaging design he’s running in the backyard with his family. Check out Buttermilk's work http://www.buttermilkcreative.com.
Music for Kirk & Kurtts intro & outro: Better by Super Fantastics
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Join Kirk Visola and Andy Kurtts on the Kirk + Kurtts Design Podcast as they explore the world of sustainable packaging with Brandi Parker, a sustainability packaging concierge nerd and entrepreneur.
In this episode, Brandi shares her journey from art and music to sustainable packaging, highlighting the challenges and opportunities in making eco-friendly changes in the industry. Discover the evolution of materials like seaweed-based plastics and delve into the complex relationship between sustainability, profitability, and environmental impact. This enlightening discussion offers valuable insights for anyone interested in design, sustainability, and the future of packaging.
Connect with Brandi here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandi-parker-6a6667b/

Support the show

About Kirk and Andy.

Kirk Visola is the Creative Director and Founder of MIND THE FONTTM. He brings over 20 years of CPG experience to the packaging and branding design space, and understands how shelf aesthetics can make an impact for established and emerging brands. Check out their work http://www.mindthefont.com.

Andy Kurts is the Creative Director and Founder of Buttermilk Creative. He loves a good coffee in the morning and a good bourbon at night. When he’s not working on packaging design he’s running in the backyard with his family. Check out Buttermilk's work http://www.buttermilkcreative.com.
Music for Kirk & Kurtts intro & outro: Better by Super Fantastics
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Join Kirk and Andy for an engaging conversation with Amanda DeVries. Amanda, a former electrical engineer turned designer, shares her unique journey from the world of engineering to the creative realm of design.

Discover how Amanda's background in engineering influenced her design process and how her move to a farm sparked a passion for packaging design. With a focus on simplicity, elegance, and fun, Amanda's work stands out in the design community. Tune in to hear about the challenges she faced, the lessons learned, and her advice for aspiring designers.

This episode is filled with insights on the intersection of logic and creativity, the importance of niching down, and the joys of working on projects that merge technology and nature. Whether you're a designer, an engineer, or someone in between, this episode offers valuable takeaways and inspiration.
Highlights:

• Amanda's transition from electrical engineering to design
• The impact of living on a farm on her packaging design career
• The advantages of having an analytical background in creative fields
• The importance of niching down and how it transformed Amanda's business
• Insightful discussions on managing client expectations and effective communication

Connect with Amanda DeVries:

• LinkedIn Profile (https://www.linkedin.com/in/amandadevries/)
• Website (https://www.eyecandydesign.ca/)

Support the show

About Kirk and Andy.

Kirk Visola is the Creative Director and Founder of MIND THE FONTTM. He brings over 20 years of CPG experience to the packaging and branding design space, and understands how shelf aesthetics can make an impact for established and emerging brands. Check out their work http://www.mindthefont.com.

Andy Kurts is the Creative Director and Founder of Buttermilk Creative. He loves a good coffee in the morning and a good bourbon at night. When he’s not working on packaging design he’s running in the backyard with his family. Check out Buttermilk's work http://www.buttermilkcreative.com.
Music for Kirk & Kurtts intro & outro: Better by Super Fantastics
Show a little love. Share the podcast with those who may benefit. Or, send us a coffee:
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On this episode, Kirk was joined by Adam Peek, the Packaging Pastor.
Adam talks about trends he sees in the packaging field, why his rap name was "Kandy Kane" when he was younger, about coaching his kid (and business partner) AJ's basketball team, and the constant flux of packaging standards that are continually being updated and maintained.
From his site: Adam Peek is a father of 5, husband of 1. He is also the host of the People of Packaging podcast and a VP at Meyers Printing. His passion for changing the world has also led him to be a sustainability consultant, sales trainer, global keynote speaker/preacher, soon to be Children’s Book author...and a part time rapper.
He is also the owner of Weenus Lube with his son AJ. Go there and by a tube, and keep your weenus lubed. weenuslube.com
Go to his site and see all of his contact information there. packagingpastor.com
As always, the conversation was as entertaining as it was informative.
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About Kirk and Andy.

Kirk Visola is the Creative Director and Founder of MIND THE FONTTM. He brings over 20 years of CPG experience to the packaging and branding design space, and understands how shelf aesthetics can make an impact for established and emerging brands. Check out their work http://www.mindthefont.com.

Andy Kurts is the Creative Director and Founder of Buttermilk Creative. He loves a good coffee in the morning and a good bourbon at night. When he’s not working on packaging design he’s running in the backyard with his family. Check out Buttermilk's work http://www.buttermilkcreative.com.
Show a little love. Share the podcast with those who may benefit. Or, send us a coffee.

Support the show

Support the show

About Kirk and Andy.

Kirk Visola is the Creative Director and Founder of MIND THE FONTTM. He brings over 20 years of CPG experience to the packaging and branding design space, and understands how shelf aesthetics can make an impact for established and emerging brands. Check out their work http://www.mindthefont.com.

Andy Kurts is the Creative Director and Founder of Buttermilk Creative. He loves a good coffee in the morning and a good bourbon at night. When he’s not working on packaging design he’s running in the backyard with his family. Check out Buttermilk's work http://www.buttermilkcreative.com.
Music for Kirk & Kurtts intro & outro: Better by Super Fantastics
Show a little love. Share the podcast with those who may benefit. Or, send us a coffee:
Support the show

Send us a text

Mike Perry has had a wild ride through the world of design. From cropping football players at NBC Sports to launching award-winning liquor brands with his agency, Tavern, Mike brings real craft, deep industry knowledge, and an obsession with the details that most people ignore.

In this episode, Kirk and Andy dig into the intersection of creativity, commerce, and booze—specifically how alcohol packaging isn’t just design, it’s storytelling, strategy, and sculpture in one.

Mike shares his journey from designing promos for MLS and NHL to building branding for Budweiser, Guinness, Pabst, and Smirnoff. He breaks down the thinking behind the recent Old Grand-Dad 16 redesign, how to work with (not against) label regulations, and why the back-of-pack matters just as much as the front.

You’ll hear about:

• The unglamorous start at NBC Sports—and what you can learn from cropping out athletes

• The power of legacy marks and why Tavern’s “modern heritage” philosophy works

• What designers get wrong about spirits packaging

• Building client trust on brand revivals like Old Crow and Old Grand-Dad

• Why design teams should always go through the archives

• How bottle structure influences perceived value (and pricing psychology)

• When you shouldn’t follow hierarchy—and how to know when to break the rules

If you’ve ever wanted to get into spirits branding, or if you’re a packaging nerd who can’t stop redesigning your bourbon shelf in your head, this episode will hit.

Mike also talks about the highs and heartbreaks of launching new brands, working with master distillers, and the weird joy of seeing your beer can design in a trash pile after a party—because it means someone loved it.

We’ll definitely have him back for a full deep dive into beer design. This is part one. You’ve been warned.

Follow Mike’s work at https://tavern.agency/ and see the Old Grand-Dad 16 case study for yourself.

Connect with Mike here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikelperry/

Support the show

About Kirk and Andy.

Kirk Visola is the Creative Director and Founder of MIND THE FONTTM. He brings over 20 years of CPG experience to the packaging and branding design space, and understands how shelf aesthetics can make an impact for established and emerging brands. Check out their work http://www.mindthefont.com.

Andy Kurts is the Creative Director and Founder of Buttermilk Creative. He loves a good coffee in the morning and a good bourbon at night. When he’s not working on packaging design he’s running in the backyard with his family. Check out Buttermilk's work http://www.buttermilkcreative.com.
Music for Kirk & Kurtts intro & outro: Better by Super Fantastics
Show a little love. Share the podcast with those who may benefit. Or, send us a coffee:
Support the show