Product and Packaging Research

Product packaging has been an area which I haven't really explored in much depth but is surely an important side to graphics design. So I have decided to take a look around on the internet to see what interesting and inspirational designs I can find.

I found some great examples of packaging designs and products on www.dddddd.com which go a little further than your average products. The first out of these is a design for a box of chocolates which has been inspired by the boy scouts. They have managed to include a interactive element within the box which encourages you to earn each bite through completing tasks.

Each of these and many more interesting and inspirational ideas

can be found at www.thedieline.com

Merit Chocolate Bars

I love these novelty ideas, It reminds me of a one of those drinking games you can buy. I believe these small unique touches are what captures the consumers imagination which could lead to a sale. I could see this type of idea working around the holiday season such as Christmas or Halloween where people have parties. I like how they have drawn inspiration from the scouts way of earning their badges and applied this to their game, also you can see this inspiration within the design of the box. Not only is the box in the shape of a typical triangle badge, the wooden material which has been laser cut ( An important thing to take note) instantly reminds me of the great out doors and gives the box an authentic rustic feel

Designed by One Long House ,Country: USA, City: Los Angeles, Chocolatier: Cocanu

Juniper Ridge

These selection of scents and soaps are made and crafted using ingredients from the earth. They include all sorts ingredients from moss to tree bark. What a amazes me more is the craftsmanship that's ton in to making the packaging. The bottles are caped with hand crafted wooden caps and on the side of each bottle is a wilderness painting which as been designed by Obi Kaufmann. Yet again, this company has played on their products materials and name "Juniper Ridge" and directed that theme and injected it right into their products packaging. It' this way of thinking that I would need to take if I wish to go down this route in more depth.

Designed by Juniper Ridge, Country : USA

Stitch Bears (Soap)

This product is another clever idea, its a brand of soap used for babies which is made up using organic goats milk from New Zealand. It's good they have designed the product to look just like a sweet ice cream which is surely a link to the sourced material. What interests me more is the series of designs (or press adverts) that they have created, each one has a colour that is related to the type or flavour and are colours that you would associate with babies such as pastel pinks and baby blues. I like the simple tag line 

"Delicious Milk Soap" which has been stacked like a bunch of babies building blocks, overall a nice clean piece of design for a cleansing product which is surely the point?

Design: Ahhaproject, Client: Stitch Bears, Country: Germany & South Korea 

Dave's Shower & Shave

This last look and my personal favourite out of this small look into unique packaging products is a shower and shave product. The reason isn't just because of the name, but because of the overall design. The product has been designed with convenience in mind, the soap is obviously used for both showering and shaving and comes with a built in shatter proof, fog free mirror. The inner packaging also allows the man to place on the shower wall with it's built in suction cup! 

I love the design of the outer packaging, it reminds me of the new charitable campaigns such Movember and the distinguished gentleman's ride out. The graphics fonts and colours are have a retro look to them and a real masculine look to them, they where designed and crafted for the Man!!

Designed by Webb deVlam, Client: Dave's Sower & Shave, Country: USA City: Chicago 

Creative Director: Jason Campbell, Illustrators: Paris Lowitz& Jason Campbaell

This has been a very interesting piece of research, I must admit I feel like getting stuck in and start creating but, I have to hold back and explore other ways within graphics design. I do have one idea which would be a good experiment to go with, my Trails real ales product idea would be a good way to gain a little experience in designing a package. I could create the labels and beer carrier in illustrator, all the graphics are done, I would just have to design a template. It would be a good experience and if it turns out well, a great piece for my portfolio.