The client
The Dalesman Group, producers of bespoke flavours for the meat, fish and bakery industries

The challenge
The company had an established industry-facing business, but wanted to branch out into retail. Their range of stuffings and sauces required a new brand identity and a packaging design that would protect and promote the products through the production and retail system.

What we did
Dalesman approached Sheffield Hallam's Design Futures team to devise the packaging for the new range. Our creative design team developed the brand Gordon Rhodes, after the company's original founder.

The new brand reflected the quality element of the product while creating a familiar and friendly character that can be adapted across the whole range and any future additions.

The results
The new Gordon Rhodes range includes six initial products – three stuffings and three sauces. It was launched in September 2011 at the Speciality and Fine Food Fair in London, and retailers and distributors began taking orders.

They say
'This was a new area for the company and Design Futures have assisted us through all aspects of the development. Creating a brand that would stand out in the market place and represent our products was key but we also needed a practical packaging solution that suits our production capabilities and budget.

'The team have shown great commitment to our project and have provided a full packaging development service from brand development to pack specification and sourcing. We look forward to continuing our work with them in the future.'

James Rhodes, partner, Dalesman Group