Great packaging

I finally have a new computer. I’m such a lousy decision maker in these kinds of things as I’m always searching for the optimal solution. An annoying quality I agree, but how could I choose when it comes to things I know practically nothing about? So I went for the one he had kind of picked out for me.

It is a light and slim 13.3” hybrid device with a 360-degree flip-and-fold design that can be used in both laptop and tablet mode, and also in tent mode (the photo above). We are not planning to buy a tablet any time soon and thought such a versatile device would be handy when travelling. However, that is not what I wanted to post about but the delightful package it came in. That was a pleasure to look at, a pleasure to disclose.

A designer has clearly been in charge of this packaging project. Everything is very well thought out; simple, stylish and consistent, starting from the colour palette. When the box is black the padding is black, naturally.

So is the non-woven fabric protecting the cover of the device.

The product box itself is like a gift box of any luxury item. I will definitely find some use for that.

Every additional item inside the gift box is in a light box of its own with a simple drawing indicating the contents. Note the semi-circular finger holes facilitating unloading. All in all, the packaging is a delightful experience bound to increase customer satisfaction.

Now I only have to figure out how to make Windows 8.1 work properly with the Google products. All the ones I have tried so far look a bit blurred on the new computer, almost as if Microsoft had deliberately wanted them to be so. I am sure Google provided a fix as soon as the problems were discovered but it is irritating to see something that feels like an attempt to pressure the masses of amateur users to ‘choose sides’.

Of course, a Mac device would be perfect for someone who is blogging and trying to learn to mess with photos. But I wouldn’t be prepared to digest Apple’s money-making policies even if I could afford it. A standard laptop, or in this case a Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga 13 Convertible Ultrabook, will be quite enough for my modest needs. As soon as I’ve upgraded the memory it had better be optimal for me.

PS added some 15 hours later: Now I could spare a moment and found a solution on Google’s product forum. You need to disable display scaling. For example for Chrome go to PC > C drive > Program Files > Google > Chrome > Application; then right click on Chrome and go to Properties > Compatibility > Disable display scaling.

More about our computer adventures here.

A piece of cake

We’ve had several important days recently: my daughter’s birthday, mother’s day that is always celebrated here on the second Sunday in May, and Jack’s tenth anniversary. So I baked a cake.

I love cakes, especially those with chocolate or berries, but I’m not any particular baker, yet. That’s why I baked a simple sponge cake with whipped cream icing and some lovely decorations, a box of Spanish strawberries I found at the grocery and some handmade chocolates I ran into at Barcelona airport the other day, to be exact.

We had some time at the airport and as we had not been at El Prat since the opening of the spacious new terminal completed in 2009, I decided to have a walk while my husband was sitting down reading the papers.

I had no intension whatsoever to buy any chocolates but the shop of the Chocolat Factory was so inviting I simply had to step in to admire the tasteful arrangements of the elegant boxes and packaging. As the contents were also on display, I couldn’t help stepping out through the counter. There were so many stylish sizes and shapes available I ended up choosing two simple carton cylinders they call Tubes. And the chocolates were delicious, especially the long sticks containing candied orange peel. Just mouth-watering!

Chocolat Factory was founded 15 years ago by Michel Laline, a Barcelona-based Belgium-born architect who, at 45, was not happy with his career and decided to start an artisanal chocolate business spending the first year studying the metier. ‘Design with content’ was the concept for the brand from the start. In fact, the chocolates have been a hit and the brand has won several design, communications and design management awards since 2000. Currently, the company employs about 120 people and has some 30 shops located mostly in Spain but a few are in the Far East.

Sometimes turning into a master chocolatier may be just a piece of cake for an architect and interior designer and will create his greatest success.