I was at dunkin donuts the other day and noticed that they beat Starbucks in a ‘national taste test’. This prompted me to ponder where I get my coffee and why. I don’t know about you guys, but I’ve noticed that designers tend to be snobby about their coffee (or their symmetrically designed energy drink of choice *).
Not going to lie here…im not that big of a Dunkin fan, but I do think their design is interesting. I’m a sucker for bold round fonts. But I’m also a sucker for pretty much every package design Starbucks has pumped out (and i prefer their coffee).
Starbucks
Starbucks is constantly changing their coffee packaging line to keep things fresh (pun intended?) However the changes are not drastic enough to confuse the consumer. Their design is highly illustrative which I’m sure appeals to all the designers out there. This illustrative style is carried out in the artwork they display on their store walls and the in store displays.
Pike roast vintage cup
love the texture…kinda looks like letter press
The christmas cup this year
nice type and grid based package
Love these illustrations!
A nice simple coffee mug
Another recent noticeably new design venture for Starbucks in the gold card. Very simple design – with a nice foil stamp on the printed material.
Dunkin Donuts
Dunkin Donuts has a very noticeable and friendly…almost web 2.0 logo – and much like starbucks they are literally everywhere in the Boston area. I think what dunkin lacks in sophistication they make up for by being iconic. You can almost spot the dunkin donuts colors and logos from a mile away! (or maybe its just that they are literally everywhere 
) Since dunkin is so popular here, everyone is a walking advertisement every morning as they grab their coffee and donuts and head to work.
Iconic logo…and a colorful donut!
iced coffee packaging
love that this design plays off the nice rounded type of the logo.
not so crazy about their latte cup
apparently they beat Starbucks in a taste test….i think it was rigged
I am after your opinion, dear readers
Which coffee chain’s logo/packaging/branding is more appealing to your designer eyes? Which coffee do you prefer? Leave a comment and let me know what you think!
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42 Responses to “Dunkin vs Starbucks”
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Donald Rush says:
In my mind Starbucks is the standard that every coffee shop in the world is compared to. And the one that most try to imitate. Dunkin Donuts to me doesn’t look like a coffee shop it looks like a fun donut shop that loves sprinkles on everything. Oh and they just happen to sell great coffee. I think that both have respectable design that is on opposite sides of the spectrum. But I have to go with Starbucks on coffee and design.They do have great illustrations.
December 8th, 2008 at 5:47 am
cwylie0 says:
a friend once told me,
“Starbucks tastes like firecrackers smell.”
Drink that one in for a moment.
I boycott starbucks, not for any anti-corporate hippie reason, just b/c i think it overpriced and awful tasting. At the mall, i choose Subway coffee over all 3 Starbucks there.
I like the focus on design here though. I always have said DD is pretty 2.0.
December 8th, 2008 at 6:30 am
Andy Sowards says:
I usually don’t drink either, but I do rather enjoy the bottled starbucks fraps. Yum.
December 8th, 2008 at 7:48 am
Nicole says:
I don’t like coffee, but speaking in terms of design, I love the way Starbucks presents itself; warm, cozy, rich, pure, you can smell it from these photos! Now, Dunkin Doughnuts is more like a McDonalds, kind of how its easily accessible, cheap, something just eh. The design speaks for itself. Sure its good, colors are gorgeous, but what does that say about quality? Quality can be expressed in every which way and form.
December 8th, 2008 at 7:51 am
BetsyHaffner says:
I have never been a fan of Starbucks. I don’t go there if I have another option. The coffee isn’t bad or anything. But it is nowhere near as good as the price would have you believe. I just like a good standard cup of dark roast, usually I make it at home.
They do rock on the design front, no dispute there.
Oh, and I do LOVE their travel mugs. I just don’t put their coffee in them
December 8th, 2008 at 7:52 am
RickNunn says:
Its always Costa, or Nero for me. I’m not overly keen on the taste of Starbucks.
In fact I’m drinking a Caramel Latte from Costa right now
See…
December 8th, 2008 at 7:55 am
Aaron Irizarry says:
I will have to say that I look forward to my trips to Starbucks, so that i can waste times looking at all of their packaging and cool “stuff”.
I actually like the pikes blend, that added with the fact that the nearest dunkin doughnuts is a least 30 min from where I live… I will side with Starbucks for now.
December 8th, 2008 at 7:59 am
Daniel says:
From a pure design perspective: starbucks wins hands down. That is all that win in my book. Their coffee always taste burnt. I take DnD hands down.
December 8th, 2008 at 9:17 am
Greg says:
I’ll admit it… SB’s has got me. A slick corporate marketing campaign with a consistent product.
Dunkin’Donuts? Fun, friendly, dayglo colors and sprinkles on everything. Not to be taken too seriously. Nah.
December 8th, 2008 at 9:34 am
John Leschinski says:
I agree with the previous commenter. Dunkin Donuts brand is more about the donuts then the coffee, and as such is much more playful and less refined then Starbucks who focus on coffee.
December 8th, 2008 at 9:44 am
Steph Adamo says:
Starbucks wins hands-down for design, IMO. I freaking hate coffee, but i do love chai. Dunkin’s chai is AMAZING. I wish i could get it around here.
December 8th, 2008 at 10:04 am
Dan says:
What’s the font on that package with the “71″ I really like that one.
December 8th, 2008 at 10:34 am
Andy TeBockhorst says:
I like the coffee bean cup in the header… you do that? Cool!
December 8th, 2008 at 12:59 pm
John Leschinski says:
Dan: Fairly sure it’s Clarendon.
December 8th, 2008 at 2:45 pm
Nick Hesson says:
This can be a tricky comparison, as in my opinion, each one is geared towards a different target audience.
Starbucks comes off as classy and sophisticated, where as dunkin donuts plays off the cheery, playful, almost child like branding, which can draw the attention of a completely different audience.
In my opinion, Starbucks marketing kicks the shit out of dunkin donuts, but then again, Starbucks focuses on Coffee for their campaigns, dunkin donuts, obviously focuses on donuts, and the coffee coming in second.
I think with this comparison it’s almost impossible to say who has done a better job without first realizing that the target audiences are completely different.
-Nick
http://www.nickhesson.com
December 8th, 2008 at 2:46 pm
Calee says:
starbucks, FTW.
December 8th, 2008 at 2:46 pm
Alex says:
I definitely like the Starbucks design a lot more. It feels a lot more upscale. I actually wouldn’t be surprised if that feeling it gives off is part of why they can charge so much for some of their stuff.
December 8th, 2008 at 2:52 pm
Carrie S. says:
There are certain elements of S’bucks design that I enjoy, but their interiors usually creep me out. I can’t stand the giant faux “paintings” and ’90s coffeehouse vibe. Ugh. They always kick ass in the holiday design dept, though…massively.
While their aesthetics don’t grab me, nothing beats DD’s iced coffee in my book!
December 8th, 2008 at 2:56 pm
Chuck says:
Coffee shop interior design and packaging aside, Dunkin Donuts coffee just tastes better.
Just sayin.
December 8th, 2008 at 3:18 pm
Kostandinos says:
Dunkin Donuts and Tim Hortons are my faves. They’re pretty much tied in my mind… depends on what beverage I’m in the mood for. When it comes to the actual coffee, I think Starbucks tastes burnt. When I do go to Starbucks, I only buy the smallest size.
Starbucks has the strongest brand image, design, and packaging – no question, but why pay extra for that when you can get a better tasting coffee for less money?
Now I’m in the mood for some Timmy’s!
December 8th, 2008 at 6:07 pm
Von Glitschka says:
Sure Starbucks and Dunkin Donuts both sell coffee but that is where the comparison ends. Comparing the design aesthetic of Starbucks and Dunkin Donuts is like comparing Gene Simmons with Richard SImmons, same last name but completely different brands.
Starbucks brand imagery is sophisticated, artistic and upscale but geared for joe average. Dunkin’s brand imagery is pedestrian, Inconsistent and convenient.
I know Starbucks prides itself on keeping the illustration in-house and hand done but some of their illustration is just flat out bad. The Tiger head packaging comes to mind, just wasn’t pulled off that well at all. It could have been great if they would have hired a pro-illustrator to do it.
I live in the land of the green mermaid yet if I had a choice I’d drink Peete’s or Caribou but neither have a location in my neck of the woods. Dunkin use to but it closed this year so I am left with Starbucks.
Next time I buy a coffee I am going to consider that “Firecracker” comment that cracked me up because I think Baskin & Robbins Iced Mocha drink takes like what a cigarette ashtray smells like. I kid you not.
Fun thread.
Von
December 8th, 2008 at 6:35 pm
grlsvoice says:
it depends what i want to drink. hot chocolate… DD wins, hands down. but what if i want chai? *$s it is. i’m not a huge fan of the styrofoam, so i find myself liking *$s more…. and *$s has cuter baristas… at least around here.
December 8th, 2008 at 6:41 pm
kelly says:
I luvs me some Starbucks, both aesthetically and deliciously. I will agree with some of the previous comments – Starbucks just looks more sophisticated and Dunkin Donuts, looks, well, cheap. Anyway, I am now craving a Pumpkin Spice Latte and I blame YOU.
December 8th, 2008 at 6:42 pm
Evan Calkins says:
I always think it is quite odd to compare Starbucks “coffee” with Dunkin Doughnuts or the like: Starbucks specializes in an many different kinds of coffee: single origin, fair trade, blends, various roasts from almost every region of the earth that coffee grows. Dunkin Doughnuts has basically one type of coffee ( that doesn’t include added flavors like Vanilla and Hazelnut )
So what are we comparing, 30 coffees to 1?
December 8th, 2008 at 7:00 pm
Stephen Allred says:
I have to say, on first impressions Dunkin [sic] Donuts [sic] branding look quite puerile. I’m not a fan of their colour scheme or logo, and I wouldn’t agree with the mix of typefaces on their take away coffee cups. I’d like to point out I’m going completely on the photos provided here; I’ve never come across a Dunkin Donuts in England.
On the other hand, I really like Starbucks’ branding, particularly the traditional black.
Coffee wise, I’m not sure how you can have a blind taste test that isn’t biased. There are too many variables to compensate for, and of course taste is entirely subjective. I, for example, prefer Italian coffee to American.
December 8th, 2008 at 8:11 pm
Sean Neill says:
To be honest, I don’t drink coffee. But wow, that Starbuck’s packaging is beeyoootifulll. It’s just so much more crisp, well though-out and appealing than that of Dunkin Donuts.
Thanks for this!
December 8th, 2008 at 8:12 pm
Tanya Nichols says:
um..SB coffee tastes like roasted tire tread
I do however love SB marketing and imagery.
When going to SB with friends as they drink their roasted tire tread my eyes dance from one product to another-the walls-the textures-the holiday goodness up right now. Their imagery makes up for their RTT.
Thanks for the fun post!
December 8th, 2008 at 8:16 pm
Liz_Luvs_Purple says:
Definitely Starbucks: coffee wise and design wise. Even though there are no Starbucks in my country (but tons of DD) I’d rather have a Grande Caramel Macchiato.
Regarding design, I like it better than DD, because its mature, sophisticated yet simple and appealing to the eye, if that makes any sense…
Great post!
December 8th, 2008 at 9:23 pm
David Billings says:
To me, Starbucks’ packaging looks like their marketing people approach it with a sense of, “What could we do that’s cool, new and fun?” whereas Dunkin’s approach seems to be, “Bright colors, balloon fonts, that’s the formula – don’t F with it.”
Apparently both approaches work, because there seem to be two very distinct camps here. People love their Dunkin or their Starbucks, but usually not both.
I’ve always been amazed when people rave about Dunkin Donuts coffee. It must be an amazingly great brew, right? I did my own taste test and Dunkin coffee tastes like airline coffee to me.
Starbucks seems to appeal to people who like very bitter, rich coffee, while Dunkin seems more tailored to the add milk-sugar-flavor syrup-anything to make it taste less like coffee crowd.
Hey – kind of like the packaging!
December 9th, 2008 at 11:12 am
Clarissa says:
I like Starbucks’ non-fast food vibe, but over both I prefer a cup of Caribou Coffee and pretending I’m in a mountain lodge.
Starbucks uses great design imagery with rich textures and super cohesive branding, but the coffee falls short of the brand (and the price).
I’ll make Dunkin’s coffee at home, but you won’t catch me in the shop…it leaves a bitter aftertaste.
December 9th, 2008 at 12:08 pm
Tim Wiseman says:
First things first, I like Starbucks’ coffee better than Dunkin’s, when they don’t burn it. The coffee is richer on the palate, there is just a deeper complexity in the flavor of the coffee.
On to branding, I always think it’s best to be exactly who you are. Dunkin IS doughnuts (Donuts) … always. In my opinion, it is pretty much a waste of $$ to develop a campaign to rival Starbucks. Just because the brand that SBUX has developed when it comes to it’s coffee, it’s barista’s and the experience – is overwhelming.
Dunkin should stay fun, make some decent coffee, and be the place to go when you want a doughnut. In my mind, they are two completely different places for different occasions and reasons.
So – I like what both have done (minus the Dunkin vs. Starbucks campaign), because it works for what each are doing, in reaching their market. That’s what this is about right?
Just my thoughts…
December 9th, 2008 at 12:19 pm
Bre says:
Starbucks has the more – warm, grungy, natural design I usually enjoy – and create myself.
However, I notice when people are carrying DD around. Maybe it is the white of the Styrofoam, or the orange of that straw or the logo. (By the way, all hot coffee should come in Styrofoam!)
Anyway – as far as taste – DD!! I LOVE their coffee!
December 9th, 2008 at 5:45 pm
Nikki - Logo Design Guru says:
This article is interesting because it didn’t occur to me before how both starbucks and dunkin’ have been adjusting their logos. They are starting to look too similar now, going with an earthy toned older looking design. To be honest, I’m beginning to think that its their prices that art the problem right now. In the middle of a recession, it’s hard to find $4.00 for a cup of coffee!
December 11th, 2008 at 1:55 pm
Paula says:
Starbucks wins the design contest, hands down. Of course, Starbucks standardized and packaged the look of the private neighborhood coffee shops.
December 13th, 2008 at 9:11 am
TransPhattyAcid says:
Much as I hate to admit it, I think Dunkin Donuts wins the design competition here. Here’s why: I love SB’s design. It’s elegant & so well-done that it’s become the defacto standard for what a coffee shop should look like. Thus, it has, by shear volume, become the GENERIC coffee shop look. That’s bad. Who want’s to be generic. SB is the look that other shops can riff off of and reinvent and thus be better than. Now Dunkin donuts… Oh let me count the ways you torment me! But, their graphic design is fun, energetic, exciting, if not a little too commercial. So what does this mean, I think the way Dunkin Donuts has rebranded itself and revitalized it’s look, colors, identity, packaging, etc, gives it an advantage over Starbucks elegant, safe, and therefore boring, generic look.
December 13th, 2008 at 2:33 pm
Bob Pease says:
I love coffee, and I am a huge Starbucks fan. I’ll drink other coffee, but I’ve never liked Dunkin’ Doughnuts, so I’ve always been spiteful of the “#1 coffee” title.
When looking at the two companies in this post and comparing the branding, Dunkin’ isn’t appetizing. Their colors are too bright and don’t relate to coffee well. I think Starbucks choice to use more subtle colors appeals more to the appetite.
Excellent post
December 16th, 2008 at 6:23 am
John says:
I like Starbucks, but agree it is overpriced. When given the opportunity I always choose a local coffee shop/coffee house.
DD is alright, but I actually will go out of my way to McD’s new ice coffee – MUCH BETTER!
January 26th, 2009 at 12:12 pm
Mike T says:
Not being a graphics designer type, my impression is that from a logo / design standpoint. I like Starbucks design better than Dunkin Donuts.
Like was mentioned earlier, SB has more of a warm cozy feeling like you want to curl up with a cup of Joe and a warm blanket.
DD on the other hand, their logo totally reminds me of fluorescent lighting (which I dislike very much..). Rather cold, cheap and fast food like.
In both cases, this has nothing to do with their coffee, just my gut feel with respect to their respective logos.
April 7th, 2009 at 7:29 am
Susan Abbasi says:
I love starbucks way more than dunkin :]
there’s just a fast food vibe when you wnter DD, and Starbuck’s is just a place to hang out anytime of the year to just relax because its always quiet without kids always coming in and out throughout the day
April 8th, 2009 at 2:03 pm