Guacamole Airplane is a design studio that specializes in sustainable packaging. Their expertise lies in structural packaging design and sustainability consulting for packaging. They combine in-depth sustainability research with practical skills in packaging design to create innovative solutions.

Their work is influenced by various fields, including sustainable material innovation, packaging manufacturing, origami, climate science, and 1970’s hippie modernism. In their studio, Guacamole Airplane works with a range of materials, such as cardboard, paper pulp, plastic, algae, mushroom foams, agricultural waste, wood, metal, and soy inks. They are dedicated to acting as a bridge between industry and the environment, using their design skills to promote sustainable practices.

The core team at Guacamole Airplane includes founder and Creative Director Ian Montgomery, who has a background in Environmental Science, and Structural Packaging Designer Tasha Westbrook, who brings her interest in origami and the natural world to their projects. To supplement their expertise, Guacamole Airplane collaborates with a network of specialized freelancers, interns, and past employees. Their extensive list of collaborators includes experts in molded fiber engineering, compostability testing, and machine building.

Guacamole Airplane offers both design projects and sustainability consulting services. For design projects, they aim to create manufacturing-ready files through research, sketches, 3D modeling, and prototyping. In sustainability consulting projects, they help organizations develop frameworks and pathways to achieve concrete sustainability goals.

The ideal time for brands to get in touch with Guacamole Airplane is 12-18 months before a product's launch. The design process typically takes 2-5 months, followed by testing and manufacturing, which can range from an additional 3-6 months. However, they are open to providing consulting help at any stage of the process.

Since 2022, Guacamole Airplane has expanded its partnerships to include packaging manufacturers as external design and R&D partners. They also offer speaking engagements, conducting seminars on sustainability strategies for packaging design and participating in conferences and events. Guacamole Airplane has been featured in various publications and podcasts, including Forbes and The Dieline.

They have also hosted seminars at renowned organizations and educated students at institutions such as ArtCenter and Pratt Institute. To get in touch with Guacamole Airplane, you can email them at info@guacamoleairplane. com or visit their studio in Sausalito, California.

You can also sign up for their mailing list to receive updates on studio news, events, and their supplier guide