Happy Pills
Marion emailed me about her design firm, studio m, and their first project: a candy store in Barcelona called Happy Pills. If this isn’t innovative design, then I don’t know what is. This might be my favorite design concept of the year. Enjoy:
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46 Responses to “Happy Pills”
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I love things like this. There’s a deli in Blackburn (UK) who approached a local design studio to brand them. From the shop fascia to the napkins, every little detail has been meticulously thought out, logos applied, colours and fonts carried through. The end result is a visually appealing, organic looking shop with a stronger brand identity than the subway down the road.
I love it, I love it, I love it! What a neat idea.
cuteness!
Couldn’t agree more brilliant branding and design
yes yes yes I love it 2!
Well… a dangerous desing… I think that comparing candys with pills it isn’t really a good idea… it would be horrible a child taking medicine instead of sweets by mistake…
i wouldnt mind some happy pills myself!
Haha I love it! :3
They’re going to be getting a cease and desist letter from the Red Cross sooner rather than later. The red cross icon is a trademark, and they’re extremely protective of it. No way they’ll let this slide, I speak from own experience with them.
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I think this is brilliant, such a great idea, both the packaging and the lollies look great.
I agree, the idea is cute; but is it smart to blur the line between candy and medicine even more? Plus, I’ll back up Grizzly’s comments; Red Cross really doesn’t like people using their logo.
Personally, I don’t like it because it is so obviously trying to equate eating with happiness. While I may confuse the two myself from time to time, this is too obviously a marketing manipulation, and I would avoid the store because of it.
This is horrible! Equating candy with drugs, encouraging drug use to reach happiness. Aimed at adults, this could be a cute concept, but at children, it’s wrong on so many levels.
I also think equating candy with drugs is very dangerous. Children can easily confuse the the two and the consequences could be tragic. Also, I don’t agree with linking eating (candy of all things) to happiness
I’m on the “this is awful” design side of the debate. Consequences of design and message need to be clearly thought through. Frankly, Happy Pills is irresponsible.
Definitely wrong. I’ve given two little kids ipecac because they ate an entire bottle of vitamins with iron. This is damage waiting a few years (or days) to happen.
Thinks the red cross symbol might be confusing to those who don’t speak the local language, but otherwise find the idea delightful.
I live with a diabetic, so lollies are literal medicine. Doesn’t seem like a disconnect to me. To someone with low blood sugar (due to diabetes, overexercise, medications ect), sugary treats are less a snack than medication.
Also, eating doesn’t make people happy? When did that happen?
Really?
A debate on this?
Really?
Really??
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What a great idea . I love it.
I think that this has all the right intentions, but could backfire quite badly. Was the whole drug-link intentional? Do these people know what ‘happy pills’ are?
There is a very good reason why they dont make Kids Medicine into sweeties. If I could give my little boy a lollipop that was full of his medication, he would happily eat it - then maybe happily eat 10 more of them.
The same logic applies here, it is so obvious why this should not be done. You cant buy sweetie cigarettes any more either…..This is a poorly thought through idea that will eventually lead to them being sued either by the red cross or the parents of a child who has eaten some unhappy pills….
Interesting concept. I can see how some people would have a problem with it, and others think it’s the next best thing to slice bread. I personally would not use it in my household. My children take their medication without any problems.
Do they handle on line orders?
I think if a child ate medication it would only be the fault of bad parenting. If parents who purchase this product are not intelligent enough to explain the facts to their children, then they probably shouldn’t have had children in the first place.
I feel that parents have the sole responsibility of ensuring the welfare of their children. Why is society still assuming that someone else will protect their children?
Was in that store in barcelona a couple of weeks ago. I LOVED IT! Best store ever, and I don’t mind the name.. It’s.. perfect.
I totally agree with Lindsey. Eating the wrong medication and blaming the candystore? That’s why we have roles called ‘parents’ you know. In any case, if it would change the negative mindset of how children view medication, why not? Whether the child ODs, seriously, we should be looking at where the parents are and not blame the ‘irresponsible’ packaging.
I think it’s a brilliant idea.
I disagree that they will be sued by Red Cross, cos if you have not noticed, it’s pink. Not red. Lots of these mock signs/brands have been used in parodies of other products. I don’t see what is wrong with that when it induces humor.
I just love it!! I would like t take that concept to Sao Paulo - Brazil!!!!!!! does anyone wants to enjoy it???
I think it’s a stupid idea how could they sell sweets that look like pills a child will think its ok to take pills because they look like sweets.
hola si quieres montar una tienda como esta tengo un local en traspaso en el centro de barcelona paz 625590248
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i’m an italian girl!!!!i love happy pills!!my friend and i think that happy pills are great and it is a beautiful idea!!!!i think i’m going to go in barcelona only to see the happy pills shop!!!bye bye
I like the irony - happiness is truly a state of mind, and using a bright coloured placebo will get it for you is just perfect. It’s playful and fun. All the comments about drugs and red cross etc. are really missing the mark by wallowing in new millenium angst and too-seriousness. Don’t worry, be happy!
tee hee! too fun
who is the owner??? how can i contact him or her???
It’s not that they sell sweets that looks like pills…all those sweets are common sweets that can be foundin EVERY candy shop (at least in Spain). So, the only different thing with this and any other candy shpp is teh packaging…
I love the idea…
It is absolutely brilliant. We shouldn’t create a debate on this, it sounds most like saying candy must not have rich colors because it could remember to medicines (isn’t it better to say medicines must not have rich colors because somebody could mistake it with candy?).
100% agree with xinni - It’s up to the parents to educate kids not to confuse sweets with Pills - instead of just leavin’ them to play on psp, watch TV etc - this world has succumbed (following the USA) to a ‘compensation culture’ where laziness of parents can be blamed on marketing - and millions claimed in compensation.
I’m very glad to be English living in Spain where this pathetic, blame everyone else attitude has not yet infested!
viva ‘happy pills’ y si, estoy pensando en abrir una tienda de eso en la Costa Blanca
Mike
This is absolutely horrible. How dare people make something as tragic as having to take medication into something funny and inappropriate as this. This gives out a terrible message to children as well as adults. It glamorises and trivialises drug taking and blurs the line between sweet eating/drug taking as necessity and as treat/life saving. Horrific.
Can you buy Happy Pills online? I have a project due in June 08 and I would love to use these candy as give away. It’s fitting for my theme
I LOVE the Happy Pills!
I was with class in Barça and we saw the
shop and the whole class had bought a bag of candy there! xD
Gostaria de obter maiores informações sobre os produtos, para exposição no brasil.
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This isn’t innovative design, It is design stealing.
Sure.. it’s wery creative to copy an existing logotype.
I hope the Red Cross will sue the candi store greatly.