Ever noticed that the packaging of headache remedies isn't exactly easy on the eye? Ironic, really, that when you want something soothing to ail your pounding skull, the products available sit on the chemist's shelf and SHOUT their MESSAGES OF URGENT HELP in bold, bright colours, seemingly without a care for your poor tired eyes and head. Now this (above), from Help Remedies, is a nice idea that turns down the volume on medicine packaging. Their packets of pills and plasters not only look great but are also made of 100% recycled paper pulp. And at $6 for 12 headache pills (or 8 plasters), that's not much more than most of the more well-known brands, so these are no vanity purchase. Plus you'll get to look just that little bit cooler when you're ill.

Help Remedies was founded by Richard Fine and Nathan Frank and the design of the brand was conceived by New York's ChappsMalina design studio. “Using the packaging as a dramatic device to convey a sense of comfort and calm in an incredibly noisy landscape was the central idea in creating this design”, says Malina.

“The Help packaging was designed to not only reflect this approachable tone but, working with paper pulp, a completely new and untapped material in this category, enabled us to add a dimensional twist to the story. It’s kind of an inside-out approach that’s playful and intuitive for the consumer” adds Scott Chapps. The actual packaging, graphics and brand identity were created by NYC studio, Little Fury.

As for the drugs, the "help – I have a headache pills" each contain 500mg of acetaminophen which, apparently, doesn’t cause the stomach problems that aspirin and ibuprofen can and is made without any coloured dyes or coatings.

And if you're going to start a range of products, then you have plasters, right? Help's invisible plasters (bandages to our US cousins) are made of hydrocolloid, the same material used in hospitals to help wounds heal faster and reduce scarring.

Should you feel inclined you can also, of course, create your own t-shirt in the Help style at their website.

Packets of 12 pills, or 8 plasters, are available at $6 each from helpineedhelp.com.