Packaging Design - Project 1(Box Making)

22/04/2025 - 05/06/2025 | Week 05 - Week 07

Wong Jia Yi Carmen | 0357198 | Section 01 

Packaging Design | Bachelor of Design (Hons) In Creative Media

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Lectures

2. Instructions

3. Feedback

4. Reflection

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LECTURES

Week 5

Packaging and Branding

Packaging is the container for a product - Cover the physical appearance of the container and including the design, colour, shape, labelling and materials used.

Most marketing textbooks consider packaging to be an integral part of the 'product' component of the 4 P's of marketing: product, price, place and promotion

The main use for packaging can be considered to be protection of the goods inside, packaging also fufils a key role in that it provides us with a recognizable logo, so that we instantly know which product is inside the package.

fig 3.0 Example of Branding and Packaging (22/05/2025)

Packaging is an important part of the branding as it plays a role im communicating the image and identity of a company.

The role of packaging is changing from that of 'protector' to 'information provider' and 'persuader'

It is now being used as an important saled tool to attarct attention, describe the product and make the sale

The Importance of Packaging and Branding for Businesses

    1. Attracts Attention and Differentiates from Competitiors:

Packaging is often the first interaction that a consumer has with a product. A well-designed package can grab the consumer's attention and make a positive first impression. Effective packaging can also differentiate a product from its competitors and create a competitive advantage.

fig 3.1 Attraction in Packaging in Supermarket (22/05/2025)

   2. Builds Brand Identify and Recognition:

Branding and packaging go hand in hand, and company's package design can help build brand idenity and recognition. Consistent branding across all products and packaging reinforces the brand image and can create a srtong brand identity. This can lead to customer loyalty and trust.

 

fig 3.2 Brand Identity in Packaging (22/05/2025)

    3. Communicates Brand Message:

Packaging and branding can communicate a bran's message and values. A company can use its package design to convey information about the product, such as its quality, ingredients, and benefits. This can help build trust and loyalty with consumer who share the same vaues and beliefs

fig 3.3 Example of Communicates Brand Message in Packaging (22/05/2025)

    4. Influences Consumer Perception:

Packaginh can influence a consumer's perception of a product. A well-designed package can make a product appear more premium or high-quality, while a poorly designed package can make a product seem cheap or low quality. Packaging can be also influence a consumer's perception of the brand as a whole.

fig 3.4 Consumer Perception in Packaging (22/05/2025)

    5. Supports Marketing and Promotion

Packaging can support marketing an promotional efforts. For example, seasonal packaging can create excitement around a product and drive sales during specific times of the year. Packaging can also be used to promote special offers or discounts.

fig 3.4 Example of Marketing and Promotion in Packaging (22/05/2025)

Consistency in Packaging and Branding

Brand consistency in packaging design is imporatnt because it leads to brand recognition.

When customers recognize ypur brand (and have positive associations with it), they're more likely to make purchases and commit to your company for the long term.

Repetion makes customer more likely to choose you.

fig 3.5 Example of Consistency in Packaging and Branding (22/05/2025)

Differentiation Through Packaging and Branding

Differentiation through packaging and branding is important because it helps product and brands be easily recognizable in the marketplace, and it can help a company eastablisg a competive advantage.

When a product is similar to others on the market, effective pakcaging and branding can be the key factor in convincing a consumer to choose on brand over another.

Here are some ways that companies can differentiates through packaging and branding:

• Unique Design Elements
• Creative Mesaging
• Customization and Personalization
• Sustainability

Unique Design Elements:

Companies can use unique packaging design elements, such as shapes, colours, textures or materials to make their products stand out.

For example, Method, a cleaning products company, uses a distinctive, ergonomic bottle shape and bright, eye-catching colors to differentiate their products from competitors.

Creative Messaging:

Companies can use messaging on their packaging and branding to differentiate their products.

For example, Dove, a personal care brand, uses messaging on theor packaging that promotes a message of self-love and body positivity, which differentiates them from competitors who may use messaging that focuses solely on product features.

Customization and Personalization:

Companies can offer customized or personalized packaging to create a unique product identity. For example, Cola-Cola's "Share a Coke" campaign used personalized paclaging with individual names to differentiate their products and create a personal  connection with consumers.

Sustainability:

Companies can use sustainable packaging materials or highlight their sustainability efforts to differentiate their products.

For exmaple, Patagonia, an outdoor clothing company, uses recycled and sustainable materials in their packaging and highlights their commitment to sustainability on their branding to differnetiate their products.

Emotional Appeal through Packaging and Branding

Emotional appeal through packaging and branding refers to the strategy of using packaging and branding elements to evoke an emotional response from consumers. This emotional connection can help create a more meaningful and long-lasting relationship between a consumer and a brand.

According to a study, the appeal of product packaging can trigger different emotions, including impulsive buying, even for customers with no intention to make the purchase. Attractive packaging designs can instantly trigger positive and rewarding emotions in consumers, significantly contributing to their purchasing decisions.

Here are some ways that companies can use emotional appeal through packaging and branding:

1. Color Psychology: 

Color can have a powerful effect on our emotions and can be used to create an emotional connection with a brand. For example, red can evoke feelings of excitement and energy, while blue can create a sense of calmness and trust. Companies can use color in their branding and packaging to evoke specific emotions that align with their brand values and messaging.

2. Imagery and Graphics: 

Imagery and graphics can also be used to evoke an emotional response. For example, a brand that focuses on outdoor adventure may use imagery of nature and outdoor activities to create a sense of freedom and adventure. A brand that focuses on family values may use imagery of families spending time together to create a sense of warmth and connection.

3. Brand Storytelling: 

Brand storytelling is a powerful way to create an emotional connection with consumers. Companies can use their branding and packaging to tell a story that connects with consumers' values and beliefs. For example, a coffee company may use their packaging to tell the story of how their coffee beans are sourced from fair trade farms, creating an emotional connection with consumers who value ethical sourcing practices.

4. Personalization: 

Personalization can also create an emotional connection with consumers. When a product or packaging is personalized with a consumer's name or other personal information, it can create a sense of connection and make the consumer feel valued by the brand.

Week 6

Introduction to Shelf Display

- A paramount objective in the field of retail package design is to get your package noticed.

- With the competitors fighting for eye time and shelf space, a package's life and death depend upon those few moments of a consumer's interest while walking down a store.

- The whole point of successful package design is to stand out from a crowd. 

- Often a difficult thing to do when packages are displayed side by side with other products.

- One of the most effective ways of grabbing the attention is through the point of purchase display.

The Sale begins with eye contact

• A point of purchase display - referred to as P.O.P. - attracts the audience, draws them in close, and makes a sale
• Point of Purchase marketing material includes a myriad of printed advertising display items that can help your product stand out from the crowd.
• A well-designed point of purchase display can help separate a product from its competitors, focus customer attention, & serve as a directed advertisement, targeting the shopper at the exact moment of sale.

Designing for display

• Much like packaging itself, the art of P.O.P. design is part of packaging, part of structural engineering, part of advertising & part of psychology

• The creation of P.O.P. must take into account these additional factors:

                - The P.O.P. display should complement the current advertising campaign for the              product.

                - It must be designed to show the package in its best light.

Sample of Point Of Purchase Display

1. Shelf Talker P.O.P

• Shelf Talkers are small signs that attach to a retail shelf ledge. They are most commonly utilised with data strips, but can be implemented without them.
• Shelf Talkers are an effective way to attraxt and communicate way to attract and communicate with customer's in store as they are wandering department aisles.

fig 3.6 Example of Shelf Talkers (31/05/2025)

Wobbler

• Wobblers are tags that are stuck to shelves or other surfaces to stand out to grab customer attention.
• Also called shelf talkers or product talkers, these branded tags literally talk for themselves - they point customers to your product, giving you an edge over competitors that sit on the same shelf.

fig 3.7 Example of Wobblers (31/05/2025)

High Back Countertop P.O.P

fig 3.8 Example of High Back Countertop P.O.P. (31/05/2025)

Tall Back Floor Standing P.O.P

Also known as "Floor Standee".

fig 3.9 Example of  Tall Back Floor Standing P.O.P. (31/05/2025)

Windows Displays 

• Induces persons to enter into the shop, It arouses the interest of passers by and kindles a desire to buy the product on display.
• Acts as a selling point.
• Timeliness of displays of goods is important. Products which are bought more during a particular season should be kept in a window display.

fig 3.10 Example of Windows Displays (31/05/2025)

Floor Stickers 

• The floor is an advertising space, which is rarely used. As a result, floor stickers are very effective.
• Floor Stickers are perfect for reinforcing existing advertising as well as complementing as well as complimenting Point of Sale. They are also great space savers, ideal for supermarket aisles, shopping centres, retail stores, or staircases and landings.

fig 4.0 Example of Floor Stickers (31/05/2025)

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INSRUCTIONS

fig 1.0 Packaging Design's MIB (24/4/2025)

Project 1 / Box Making

Timeframe: Week 5 - Week 7

Description: Designing Custom Boxes for Non-Boxed Items. The objective of this assignment is to develop your skills in creating custom packaging solutions for items that do not come in traditional box packaging. By the end of this assignment, you should be able to demonstrate your ability to design functional, creative and visually appealing boxes that enhance the packaging and presentation of non-boxed items.

During week 4, we did an in-class activity. Mr Shamsul ask us to bring some artboard, a cutter, steel ruler, glue and other stuff.

Mr Shamsul let us to choose either between a Head Massager or a Ball Massager.

fig 1.1 Head and Ball Massager (not the actual product) Week 4 (15/5/2025)

I decided to go for the ball massager and after I got all the measurement ready. I immediately start the work.

fig 1.2 Process and Finished Result of the Packaging Week 4 (15/5/2025)

For the non boxed items, I decided to go with cotton pads and umbrella.

fig 1.3 Non Boxed Items Week 4 (15/5/2025)

And here are the sketches for both of them.

Cotton Pads.

fig 1.4 Packaging Sketches for Cotton Pads Week 4 (15/5/2025)

Umbrella.

fig 1.5 Packaging Sketches for Umbrella Week 4 (15/5/2025)

After showing and discuss with Mr Shamsul, we agreed to go for the option 1 for cotton pads and option 6 for the umbrella.

fig 1.6 Chosen Packaging for Cotton Pads and Umbrella Week 5 (22/5/2025)

Mr Shamsul also told me to do a prototype for each of the packaging to visualise the packaging better and see where it needs to improve, and so I started working on it.

I work on the measurement for both of the items and draw on a piece of A4 paper and use a cutter to cut it out.

This is the outer box for cotton pads.

fig 1.7 Outer box for Cotton Pads Week 5 (23/5/2025)

This is the inner part of the packaging, which is the refill part.

fig 1.8 Inner box for Cotton Pads Week 5 (23/5/2025)

Here is the finished Cotton Pad Packaging Prototype.

fig 1.9 Finished Prototype (Cotton Pads) Week 5 (23/5/2025)

Moving on to the Umbrella Packaging. This is kinda confusing for me because of the hexagon part and i get my measurement wrong for this one and I can say making a prototype for both of the non-boxed items does help alot.

fig 1.10 Packaging for Umbrella Week 5 (23/5/2025)

Here is the finished prototype.

fig 2.0 Finished Prototype (Umbrella) Week 5 (23/5/2025)

Next, I work on the dieline in Illustrator.

Cotton Pads.

fig 2.1 Dieline in Illustrator (Cotton Pads) Week 5 (23/5/2025)

Umbrella.

fig 2.2 Dieline in Illustrator (Umbrella) Week 5 (23/5/2025)

After some discussion with Mr Shamsul, I've made some minor changes to both of them.

fig 2.3 Changes in Dieline in Illustrator (Cotton Pads and Umbrella) Week 6 (30/5/2025)

During Week 7, me and my friends went to box shopping for our laser cut.

fig 2.4 Box Shopping Week 7 (4/6/2025)

The next day, which is our tutorial time, Mr Shamsul spend some time to teach us how to use the machine.

fig 2.5 Process of Laser Cutting (Trial) Week 7 (4/6/2025)

Umbrella Box (First Try)

 

fig 2.6 First Try for Umbrella's Box Week 7 (4/6/2025)

Cotton Pad Box (First Try)

 

fig 2.7 First Try for Cotton Pad's Box Week 7 (4/6/2025)

Both box are okay but I'm still not happy with it especially for the umbrella one, as the closing cannot close properly. Cotton Pad box is fine but I'm not satisfied with the box material and the opening need to be bigger.

In week 8, I try it again with my classmates. 

Umbrella Box (Second Try)

fig 2.8 Second Try For Umbrella Box Week 8 (11/6/2025)

Still need to fix the slit opening again...

Cotton Pad's Box (Second Try)

fig 2.9 Second Try For Cotton Pad's Box Week 8 (11/6/2025)

Finally satisfied, I change the box material to brown card and it looks so much better and sturdy.

SUBMISSION

Umbrella's Box

fig 2.10 Final Umbrella's Box Week 8 (12/6/2025)

This hexagon shaped box is specially designed to store a folded umbrella in a neat, compact and eco-friendly way. Made from durable corrugated cardbox with angled sides and a flat base that securely holds the umbrella in place. The top flap opens upwards, functioning like a lid, and is connected to the back panel. When closed, the flaps folds over the opening and tucks into a slit on the front panel, creating a secure locking mechanism without the need for glue or tape. To use it, you simply just lift the top flap, place your umbrella inside and close the lid by sliding it into the front slit. This design makes the box not only practical for storing but also protects your umbrella, at the same time, it is also easy to open and close. Lightweight and reusable.

Cotton Pad's Box

fig 3.0 Final Cotton Pad's Box Week 8 (12/6/2025)

This is a basic cotton pad dispenser that is eco-friendly designed out of brown card that is both functional and sustainable. The box is tall with an open top that makes it convenient for the consumers to refill the inner box by stacking more cotton pads inside the box at any time. A small semicircular cutout is the dispensing slot at the bottom. It is easy to remove one cotton pad at a time through this opening and the rest of the pads remain stacked neater inside. The size of this refillable package is small and minimal, which makes it convenient to use in bathrooms or on vanity tables. It is also a convenient, eco-friendly option since its material can be recycled, and the design can be reused.

After showing to Mr Shamsul and got my feedback, he said to laser cut again as the side of my umbrella box is not align and for the cotton pad box, I change it again because I change the cottons into the thicker ones.

fig 3.1 The side Of The Umbrella Box Is Not Aligned Week 8 (12/6/2025)

SUBMISSON AFER FEEDBACK

fig 3.2 Final Cotton Pad's Box After Feedback Week 10 (24/6/2025)

fig 3.3 Final Umbrella's Box After Feedback Week 10 (24/6/2025)

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FEEDBACK

Week 5: For cotton pads, go for the 1st one. The umbrella one, go for the 6th. Well done, drawing is neat. Make sure to do the dieline for the packaging and do prototype 

Week 6: Can start laser printing next week and see need any changes.

Week 7: No Feedback Given.

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REFLECTION

Working on the custom box design project for non-boxed items was a challenging but rewarding experience. Unlike standard packaging assignments where dimensions and forms are predictable, this task pushed me to think outside the box, literally and figuratively. I had to take into account the unique shape, size, and fragility (or flexibility) of the product, which meant that every design decision had to be intentional and tailored to the specific object.

The initial stage involved a lot of observation and research. I had to understand how the product behaves, does it roll, bend, or shift? and how users might interact with it during unboxing. Prototyping played a huge role; I created several mock-ups before landing on a structure that balanced functionality with visual appeal. Throughout the process, I had to constantly revise my ideas, especially when testing revealed weak structural points or usability issues.

One of the most important things I learned was how critical user experience is in packaging. A box is more than a container, it’s an extension of the brand and the first physical touchpoint with the product. I also gained deeper appreciation for materials and closures, learning how they can enhance protection and presentation without overcomplicating the design.

Overall, this project helped me build confidence in translating unconventional design challenges into creative, feasible solutions. It taught me to be more resourceful, to trust the iterative process, and to always think about the end user.

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