Feb 23, 2005 | | 6 Comments
Separated at Birth
Can’t get over the similarities between these two products. Can you tell at a glance which is the sports fitness beverage and which is the fuel additive? Neither can I. This is a perfect example of the design vernacular from one category influencing that of another — E.g. two products that have been “separated at birth.”
On the left: Outlaw fuel injector cleaner. On the right: Shredder Power Punch. Do not drink the one on the left. And do not dump the one on the right into your fuel tank.
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Peter Parkes | Mar 24, 2005
The bottles of wine I drink have long necks, and I do try terribly hard not to pour them into my car… ;)
They also remind me of the design of bottles of bleach, which is probably not wonderfully good for cars or stomachs.
Tim Sherburne | Mar 24, 2005
Hmmm, there are many consumable beverages with long necks (anyone for a beer?), and I can see Stratton’s point. Actually, the large yellow text proclaiming “Fuel Injector Cleaner” helps, but the word “fuel” has been adopted to market food to humans. Fortunately, these two products would never be side-by-side on a mini-mart shelf… Let’s hope, anyway.
twibleen | Mar 25, 2005
After all they have the same goal.
Elehu Maganantes | Mar 25, 2005
I think it’s quite obvious which is the sports drink as well. Beverage categories generally have a signature silhouette, and the one on the right is close to the ‘gatorade’ silhouette. Energy drinks look like AA batteries (Redbull, Amp), premium tea looks like Snapple (Honest Tea, Te Java), super-premium juice comes in a square bottle (Odwalla, Fresh Samantha), and sports drinks come in those packages (Gatorade, Powerade).
Stratton | Mar 28, 2005
Appreciate all the comments everyone.
Peter - love the idea of a tie-in with wine marketing. Could play up vintages or varietals on sports drinks, complete with a 100 point rating system. Maybe a promotion with Robert Parker giving blind taste tests?
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Garrett | Mar 24, 2005
True, but the bottle on the left has a long neck, indicative of something you would pour into your car.
I’m not defending the design, but I can understand how a drink might want to “try” and capitalize on the traditional feel of automotive engine cleaners. (I said, “try” not succeed.)