We're Totally Fascinated by These 13 Beautiful Tuna Cans
When it comes to sustainability, canned tuna may not be the best fish to chow down on, but we can't help but harbor a soft spot for the actual tins. Have you ever really looked at a can of tuna? We mean really looked at it—these babies can be things of beauty.
We rounded up some of the most extravagant and unique cans, then consulted with the pros: Ellen Lupton, curator of contemporary design at Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum, and Chris Fanning, fisheries policy analyst with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. With Lupton's eye for design and Fanning's knowledge of everything tuna (the man has his own collection of cans, which were on display at the San Diego History Center), we set out to learn what makes these cans of tuna (and, okay, a few sardines and anchovies) so memorable.
1/13Genova
Fanning: The design reminds me of old California orange-crate designs. The limited use of color, the bright sun, and gold main label color seems to indicate high-quality tuna.
Lupton: To understand why the Genova package is so appealing, it’s helpful to compare it to Chicken of the Sea. The upper-and-lowercase Chicken of the Sea logo is heavily decorated with shadows and outlines; the overall effect is busy and cluttered. In contrast, the main text on the Genova package is uppercase, which gives it a sense of drama and simplicity. The lack of ascenders and descenders in uppercase text yields a simpler graphic shape. The Genova letters also have outlines and shadows, which creates detail and a decorative feeling, but because the underlying design is more simple, the effect is strong and powerful rather than fussy and overdone. In short, the Genova package is a more modern design.
2/13Flott
Lupton: As you look at the next group of [five] packages, you will see similar patterns: uppercase letters with decorative details, vivid illustrations, and strong red/yellow/blue color scheme, applied to vivid illustrations of fish, fisherman, and olives. Many of the designs have a lot of detail, and yet they have a strong sense of focus around a central image and central product name.
Fanning: It's a whimsical and cartoonish fish that looks more like a goldfish than a tuna. The inkjet-printed production code detracts from the art, but I do like the simple wave and ocean element.
3/13As Do Mar
Fanning: Old-world Italian design style that probably evokes Italy homeland brand loyalty. The shirtless, fit fisherman has me thinking "health and vitality."
4/13Ortiz
Fanning: Bright and simple. This leads me to believe the old family methods were used, versus industrialized fishing and processing.
5/13Arroyabe
Fanning: The bar code right on top is obnoxious and detracts from the picture. I imagine it was painted by the woman that comes to the docks every day to enjoy the sights and hope for the return of her fisherman lost at sea.
6/13Sirena
Fanning: The picture doesn't do the label justice. I have seen this brand before and the mermaid is well drawn and iconic. But the "springwater" graphic seems tacked on and unnecessary.
7/13Escurio
Lupton: These [next] two go a different route: monochrome. But you will see the same emphasis on strong uppercase type and simple, vivid illustrations.
Fanning: It's an awkward drawing. My first thought is the tuna fish is going the wrong way. I like this style of upside-down can, and the printing directly on the can itself.
8/13Portuguese Sardines
Fanning: The bright green color makes me think "fresh." The simple block font is very clean and the monochrome drawing of the sardine is well done.
9/13Neptuna
Fanning: I think this is my favorite artistic design of all the samples. Tuna from the gods, or worthy to feed the gods. It reminds me of drawings included on old-world navigation charts and maps. I like glass jar products because you can see the fish inside.
10/13Oregon's Choice
Fanning: Simple, clean, and bright design. Is that an actual self portrait of the salty dog captain that risked life and limb to bring me this high-quality albacore tuna?
11/13Agostino Recca
Fanning: Anchovies fit for a king? Too many colors and design elements; it's not obviously canned fish at first glance.
12/13Yew
Fanning: The repeating fish pattern reminds me a bad hotel lobby carpet. I like the blue shades of color.
13/13Brunswick
Fanning: I like the idea, but the mustard and dill plant design seems very messy and is covered up by the large text. The health benefits are plainly identified.
