PACKAGING & MERCHANDISING DESIGN // EXERCISES

PACKAGING & MERCHANDISING DESIGN // EXERCISES

Rebecca Thoo Hui Ying / 0350359
Bachelor of Designs (Hons) in Creative Media 
Packaging & Merchandising Design Task 01

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INSTRUCTIONS: 

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LECTURES

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EXERCISE

Exercise 01: Case Study (31.08.2022)

✧ In week 1, we are to pick and explore an existing packaging that looks interesting to base the case study exercise on.

✧ The product packaging I have chosen was: Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate 2019 Christmas Edition packaging

Fig 1.1 Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate 2019 Christmas Edition Packaging

Photo-Shooting:

Fig 1.2 Kiehl's 2019 Christmas Edition Packaging (Front)

Fig 1.3 Kiehl's 2019 Christmas Edition Packaging (Front & Side)

Fig 1.4 Kiehl's 2019 Christmas Edition Packaging (Side & Back)

Fig 1.5 Kiehl's 2019 Christmas Edition Packaging (Front, Back & Open Front)

Case Study Slides (Submission, 14.09.2022) :

Exercise 02: Box Making (14.09.2022)

Inspiration
✧ We were required to pick two products to either recreate its packaging or create a packaging for a product that does not have one to begin with.
✧ I picked a butterfly and a flamingo decoration light as the items to create a packaging for. I threw away the original packaging ages ago and hence there is no photo record how the packaging looked like.

Fig 2.1 products picked for the exercise

✧ References for the exercise: 

Fig 2.2 Butterfly Box Reference

Fig 2.3 Flamingo Box Reference

Attempt #1 (24.09.2022)

✧ After analysing the reference pictures, I went onto Ai to create the basic layout. 

Fig 3.1 Box layout Attempt #1

✧ I then printed it out in A4 to test out the accuracy of the box.

✧ Below are my (failures), which is a good thing as it enable me to correct the miscalculations and reconstruct it before laser cutting it on the actual material.

Fig 3.2 Butterfly Box layout Attempt #1

✧ Errors: 

• Proportions are off, so will need to recalculate the width and height

Fig 3.3 Flamingo Box layout Attempt #1

✧ Errors: 

• Some parts are not needed, in order to close the box better
• The top & bottom claps needed to be made so that it is easier to close as well as close tighter
• Inner box: would need to create the indented area to let the product sit better in the box. Currently there is no space for the Flamingo to sit

Final Attempt (04.10.2022)

✧ With the amended files, I consulted Ms April before going ahead with the laser cutting. Ms April advised me on which items i would need to change before the actual print.

✧ The attach are all the end results laid flat

Fig 4.1 Flamingo Box Final

Fig 4.2 Butterfly Box Final

Final Presentation Slide (04.10.2022)

Fig 5.1 Final Box Making Presentation

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REFLECTIONS

Experience 

This is the first time for the cohort to have physical classes. It was also the first time we got to explore and use the equipments that were catered to assist us in our projects. Working with the laser cutter was different and intriguing. Witnessing the machine cutting points speedily is a fun process to watch. With that being said, working with the machine proves that we need to be articulate and as detailed orientated as possible as even putting a line in the wrong colour could result in minor errors.

Observations

Through this course, I've gathered some interesting observations. Packaging is not as it seem. A packaging might look simple but it requires a lot of thinking went into the end results. A simple box structure comes with a lot of calculating too. Making sure each flap closes at a certain angle is crucial when it comes to making the box. 

Findings

I particularly like working on the case study exercise. We often took packaging for granted, discarding it right after we've consumed the product within. It was an exercise that allow me to take a step back and analyse the design on it and raise questions of: why are symbols placed there? what is the function of the barcode? what is the purpose of text & pattern embossing? I also got to analyse a brand that i frequently consume that got to open up my eyes more to why the brand would choose the certain symbols or colours. 

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