what is it about coffee?
From Starbucks to McDonald’s, the coffee industry has exploded. This of course is not anything new, I just wanted to share my thoughts on it. When I think of coffee this is what comes to my mind: drinking coffee, sitting with friends drinking coffee, caffeine, staying awake, coffee houses, cafe’s, making turkish coffee on my stove, mmmm….. coffee! Yes I am a lover of coffee, and being a college student it has helped me through some tough times, especially staying up all night designing last-minute for projects or studying for finals.
Back to my point though, McDonald’s has created McCafe’ and Dunkin’ Donuts are promoting their coffees. Not only are the coffee shops selling “quality” coffee anymore, but according to the fast food restaurant promotions they sell premium quality coffees as well. I put it in quotations because I couldn’t tell you whether it is quality or not, I don’t have that knowledge. I do know that they are competing with the already established Starbucks and all the other coffee shops already existing. And notice the design on the cups you drink out of. In my eyes they are designed to look sophisticated. Take McDonald’s, your $1 menu leader has a special cup designed just for their coffee beverages.
There is a status of being a coffee drinker, the cool, artsy, hip, sophisticated, intellectual person. And I think McDonald’s is trying to catch that person with their McCafe’ beverages and sophisticated design of the cup.
On the other hand Dunkin’ Donuts is doing a great job advertising to the people who just want to grab a cup of joe and go. I like their spin on the status of coffee shops.
I’m curious to see what design trends will follow this coffee craze, from commercials to cups.
