Um, what? Pentagram's totally rad new work for an "alternative" herbs company

Date
31 July 2012

When you hear the word “hydroponics” you probably think immediately of clinking bongs and thick smoke… not Pentagram, one of the world’s most renowned design studios. But prepare to be bizarrely surprised (and also pretty delighted) by the agency’s most recent work for Advanced Nutrients, the USA’s leading producer of hydroponic growth supplements.

Hydroponics, for those unschooled in indoor botany, is the practice of growing plants in liquid under high-intensity UV lights, usually associated with the medicinal (and recreational) marijuana market. Advanced Nutrients’ products are seemingly for all types of indoor growing, herbs and vegetables included, though with product names like Sensi Bloom, Big Bud and Kushie Kush it’s hard to shake off that Dazed and Confused vibe.

Pentagram worked with illustrator Marc Burckhardt to create a custom mascot for each unique product, pairing these with some pretty unusual typography and gaudy graphic elements. Regardless of your personal design preferences (though everyone should be pretty sold on the smiling green bud) what definitely makes this work stand out is Pentagram’s radical departure from any discernible comfort zone, dropping a typically clean and accesible approach to design in favour of something totally far out.

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Pentagram: Advanced Nutrients

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Pentagram: Advanced Nutrients

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Pentagram: Advanced Nutrients

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Pentagram: Advanced Nutrients

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Pentagram: Advanced Nutrients

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Pentagram: Advanced Nutrients

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Pentagram: Advanced Nutrients

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Pentagram: Advanced Nutrients

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About the Author

James Cartwright

James started out as an intern in 2011 and came back in summer of 2012 to work online and latterly as Print Editor, before leaving in May 2015.

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