PACKAGING AND MERCHANDISING DESIGN - PROJECT 1

15/04/19 - 06/05/19 (Week 3 - Week 6)

Yeap Phay Min (0331073)

Packaging and Merchandising Design

Project 1 - Paper Bag, Book Sleeve Design

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LECTURE NOTES

15/04/19 (Week 3)
Lecture #3: Types of Packaging & Materials

This week, a group presented the topic of types of packagings and materials. Through the lecture, I got to learn about primary, secondary and tertiary packaging in the beginning slides. Then comes the various types of packaging such as corrugated box, boxboard / paperboard cartons, paper bags and sacks. As for the types of materials, it included paper & board, glass, metals, plastic and foam.




Lecture #4: Types of Boxes

Mr Shamsul then gave us a  lecture on boxes type and boxes styles. I learned that the common types of boxes included folding cartons, rigid boxes, set-up boxes, cardboard boxes, corrugated boxes, paperboard boxes and more. There are also common elements in folded cartons, and the most common box styles are tuck top. The two types of tuck top boxes are Reverse Tuck End (RTE) and Straight Tuck End (STE), and there are pros and cons to the both of them. Then there's also the tuck top snap-lock bottom and tuck top auto bottom.




06/05/19 (Week 6)
Lecture #6 : Typography in Packaging Design

For this week, a group prepared a lecture on the use of typography in packaging design. To begin, images of packaging designs were shown to us. Then, they moved on to talk about the importance of typography in packaging design. The importance includes grabbing attention and defining the product. The roles of typography in packaging design were also shared with us, along with the things to consider when selecting the typeface for a packaging. Then, the factors that affects typography and how the typography affects the brand were also discussed about. Overall, the presentation was informative.




13/05/19 (Week 7)
Lecture #7: Image & Imagery in Packaging Design

In this lecture, we got to learn and understand about image and imagery in packaging design. Imagery is the ability to form mental images from things or events. It is used to attract target audience, supports product's message and also to create perception of what the product inside is like. As for image, some points to consider includes the relevance of images to the product and brand, target audience and competitors, quality of the image and also the creativity of using the image.

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INSTRUCTIONS



15/04/19 (Week 3)

In Monday's class, we were briefed on our first project which is in collaboration with the other module — Publishing Design . In that class, we are required to design and create a book. For the project for this class, we needed to come up with a paper bag, book sleeve and an item of our choice. The design should relate back to the book.

To start off, I searched up some visual references and did some rough sketches on the ideas.

Initial Visual References:





Initial Sketches:

Fig 1.1: Paper Bag 

Fig 1.2: Book Sleeve

Fig 1.3: Calendar Cards + Box

24/04/18 (Week 4)

This week, I decided to start with the measurements of each item before moving on to illustrator to work on the dieline. 

Measurements of the paper bag, book sleeve and the calendar cards:

Fig 2.1: Measurements

Once I had the measurements, I decided to start with the dieline so I could create some mock-ups.

Here are the initial dielines for each item:

Fig 2.2: Book Sleeve

Fig 2.3: Paper Bag

Fig 2.4: Box 

With the mockups, I printed them out on A4 papers and tried to assemble them to see how it would look like.

Fig 2.5: Book Sleeve

Fig 2.6: Book Sleeve

Fig 2.7: Paper Bag Option #1

Fig 2.8: Paper Bag Option #2

Fig 2.9: Card Box

29/04/18 (Week 5)

After the first round of dielines and mockups, I got to receive some feedback on them and then make any necessary adjustments to it. Once I updated some of the dielines, I also decided to create more mockups, but this time using art card for it to be more sturdy. 

Fig 3.1: Dieline of book sleeve

Fig 3.2: Process of making paper bag mockup

Fig 3.3: Process of making card box mockup

Fig 3.4: Outcome of paper bag mockup

Fig 3.5: Outcome of paper bag mockup

Fig 3.6: Outcome of book sleeve mockup (when folded)

Fig 3.7: Outcome of book sleeve mockup (when opened up)

Fig 3.8: Outcome of card box mockup

I also started to think about the designs I wanted to include on the items. I roughly made some sketches before moving on to designing it in illustrator. I also made sure to make my design related with my visuals for the book so there is some consistency between them. I plan to pick out some assets and play around with the arrangement of them. While playing around with the designs I kept referring back to my visuals.

Here's the visuals for my book done in publishing design class:

Fig 3.9: Visuals for the book

 Rough sketches of the designs:

Fig 3.10: Rough Sketches

Calendar card design process:

Fig 3.11: Process of designing the cards - calendar

Fig 3.12: Process of designing the cards - quotes and illustrations

Calendar card box design exploration:

Fig 3.13: Box design exploration

06/05/18 (Week 6)

This week I continued to work on the designs for the items. 

Book sleeve design exploration:

Fig 3.14: Book sleeve design exploration

Fig 3.15: Book sleeve design exploration

Initially for the book sleeve I wanted to get it printed on both sides, but I remembered that the printing shop only does double sided printing for up to A3. My book sleeve was on an A2 artboard, so I had to make changes to my design later on.

Paper bag design exploration:

Fig 3.16: Paper bag design exploration

Fig 3.17: Paper bag design exploration

08/05/18 (Week 6)

On Wednesday's tutorial class, I also got to laser cut an actual size mockup of my paper bag.

Fig 4.1: Laser cut process

Fig 4.2: Laser cut process

Fig 4.3: Laser cut process

Fig 4.4: Outcome of actual size mockup

I was glad that I did the actual size mock-up as I now know that the curves were too big and it doesn't look nice. Hence why I decided to change my dieline again to make it better.

Fig 4.5: Updated dieline

I also finalised my designs this week so I could get it printed at the end of the week. I had two designs  for the paper bag and card box so I could print both and see which one I liked best. I also just had a feeling that things may not go like I hoped it will so by printing two copies I would have a back-up.

Final Designs

Paper Bag:

Fig 4.6: Paper Bag Design #1

Fig 4.7: Paper Bag Design #2

Book Sleeve:

Fig 4.8: Book Sleeve Design

Fig 4.9: Pocket Design for Book Sleeve

Calendar Cards & Box:

Fig 4.10: Calendar Cards - Monthly Dates

Fig 4.11: Calendar Cards - Quotes & Illustrations

Fig 4.12: Box Design #1

Fig 4.3: Box Design #2

11/05/19 (Week 6)

On Saturday, I went and got my designs printed and I could start to cut and assemble them.

Fig 5.1: Printed designs

Fig 5.2: Process of cutting the cards

Fig 5.3: Creating rounded edges

Fig 5.4: Printed book sleeve

Fig 5.5: Printed Paper Bag

Back home I continued to cut and assemble the card box and the book sleeve. I left the paper bag untouched for now as I wanted to get it laser cut in campus.

Fig 5.6: Box

Fig 5.7: Book Sleeve

Fig 5.8: Book Sleeve

Fig 5.9: Pocket

Fig 5.10: (Random Picture) Part of the mess created 

13/05/19 (Week 7)

On Monday, I got to try and laser cut the paper bag and one of my calendar box as I had printed extra copies of it.

As for the paper bag, the alignment was off and it didn't cut exactly where the design was and it burned the synthetic paper a little at the sides. And for the calendar box, the alignment was pretty accurate, however the setting was too high in which the scoring line cut through the material completely. 

Fig 6.1: Laser cut process - Paper bag

Fig 6.2: Laser cut process - Paper bag 

Fig 6.3: Failed laser cut on box

Back home I tried to trim and assemble the paper bag so at least I have an idea of what it looks like.

Fig 6.4: Failed paper bag

The laser cut studio was fully booked on Wednesday and if we wanted to get it laser cut again it would be on Saturday.  Since I had to get my designs reprinted, I also decided to make some changed to the design of my paper bag so it didn't have any curves as I wanted to try and hand cut it instead of laser cut. As for the card box, I made the semi-circle hole smaller so it would be easier to hand cut as well. 

I also thought about the material selection again. The art card material made some ugly creases when it was folded. However, the material of sticker laminated on an art card was good, as it did not result in any bad creases and folds pretty nicely. Therefore I decided to reprint the box design on that material, and it would match the material of the book sleeve as well. For the paper bag, since I had to get it printed on A1 paper, the printing shop I went to only prints A1 on synthetic paper so I decided to go with that material again, this time with an attempt to hand cut it. 

16/05/19 (Week 7)

I had no class this day so I decided to get my designs reprinted.

Updated files for printing:

Fig 7.1: Paper Bag

Fig 7.2: Calendar Box

Process of cutting and assembling:

Fig 7.3: Process of cutting the box

Fig 7.4: Folding the paper bag

Fig 7.5: Failed paper bag with the bottom & sides being messed up

The calendar box turned out okay, however the paper bag was kind of a fail to be honest. The folding part was a little messy and I wasn't happy with how it turned out, so I ended up folding the first A1 paper I printed on in the previous week. 

Finally, after a lot of struggles with printing, cutting and assembling everything, I completed all three items. Then, I took pictures of the items and compiled all the final images of the 3 items into a set of slides, including the rationale on why I chose the 3rd item.

Final Images:

Fig 7.6: All 3 items

Fig 7.7: All 3 items

Fig 7.8: Paper Bag

Fig 7.9: Paper Bag

Fig 7.10: Paper Bag

Fig 7.11: Inside of Paper Bag

Fig 7.12: Items Inside Paper Bag

Fig 7.13: Book Sleeve - Front

Fig 7.14: Book Sleeve - Back

Fig 7.15: Book Sleeve- Pocket Inside 

Fig 7.16: Calendar Cards Box - Front

Fig 7.17: Calendar Cards Box - Back

Fig 7.18: Calendar Cards + Box

Fig 7.19: Calendar Cards  - Front

Fig 7.20: Calendar Cards - Back

Fig 7.21: Quotes + Illustration on Cards

Fig 7.22: Both sides of cards

Here is the compilation of the final images in a set of slides, including labels and rationale for the third item.

Towards the end of the semester, I decided to reprint my book sleeve to not only switch up the design a little but also make it smaller. It is no surprise that I struggled a lot in this project. However I kept telling myself to keep on trying and trying, even after folding a total of 5 book sleeves.

In the end it worked out, I hope. Here are pictures of the updated book sleeve.

Fig 8.1: Updated & Final Design - Sleeve

Fig 8.2: Updated & Final Design - Pocket 

Fig 8.3: Book Sleeve - Closed

Fig 8.4: Book Sleeve - Opened

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FEEDBACK

24/04/18 (Week 4)
Specific feedback: The material for the paper bag and book sleeve should be similar so there is consistency between them. The item I've selected is okay and I can proceed with it. To move on from my visual references and sketches, I should start on the dieline and structure of my designs.

29/04/18 (Week 5)
Specific feedback: This week, I got to show some mock-ups that I've done. Mr Shamsul mentioned that for my book sleeve, the slit is too big so I could try a different approach and not have it in a shape of a semi-circle.

06/05/18 (Week 6)
Specific feedback: Ms Maria mentioned that for my book sleeve it could have those little gaps for the lock to be better. For my paper bag, she mentioned that the creases in my mockup could be due to the material and also the size of it.

08/05/18 (Week 6)
Specific feedback: Mr Shamsul said that the mockup for the book sleeve seems okay, and for my paper shouldn't have an extra paper wrapped around it. I could straight away print my design on the paper bag, and laser cut on it later on.

13/05/19 (Week 7)
Specific feedback: For the book sleeve's flap, I could trim it to be smaller so that it would be easy to slide in and out. As for the card box, the curved cut out should be smaller. The material of the sticker laminated on art card and synthetic paper are okay.

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REFLECTION

EXPERIENCE

15/04/19 (Week 3)
I got to have the experience of coming up with ideas for the design of the 3 items for our book which seems interesting, and hopefully things will go well. *fingers crossed*

24/04/18 (Week 4)
I got to start doing more sketches, take measurements and create the dielines for my design.

29/04/18 (Week 5)
We had an extension for this project, allowing us more time to work on the dielines and designs before printing them.

08/05/18 (Week 6)
This week, I continued to make changes to my dielines, laser cut my paper bag as an actual sized mockup and also finalise my designs for printing as I wanted to print them out this week.

13/05/19 (Week 7)
I spent this week printing, cutting and assembling the products. Honestly, it was quite a struggle for me as I couldn't get it right initially and had to get the design reprinted again.

OBSERVATION

15/04/19 (Week 3)
I observed that there are so many designs out there, but I need to make sure whatever I design suits the idea of my book, maintaining both aesthetic and functionality of it.

24/04/18 (Week 4)
I observed that creating mockups and rough drafts of my design does help me further visualise how I want it to look like in the end.

29/04/18 (Week 5)
I observed that I was a little lost with how I wanted my visuals to be incorporated in my designs so I had to experiment with different designs.

08/05/18 (Week 6)
I observed how it is important to make sure the designs for all three items should have some sort of consistency between them to make it match. It is also important to be careful while trying to cut and assemble the packaging.

13/05/19 (Week 7)
Through this assignment, I observed that the choice of material used is important as it reflects how it looks like when printed and folded. I also observed that it was satisfying to see all 3 items printed out due to the similar visuals and colour palette.

FINDINGS

15/04/19 (Week 3)
I found that I got a little lost while trying to come up with the designs, as I just started to come up with the visuals for my book. Once I'm done with the visuals, maybe it'll be easier me to come up with the designs to make sure it all matches.

24/04/18 (Week 4)
I found that I felt stuck at times and unsure of how I want to create the dielines, but by searching up references of the dielines it does help me a lot.

29/04/18 (Week 5)
I found that making more mock-ups and playing around with the designs helped me in deciding which are the ones I wanted to use for printing.

08/05/18 (Week 6)
Through this week, I found that I was kind of satisfied when I saw the printed designs, but it was stressful to cut and assemble the packaging because I was constantly worried about the folds and creases.

13/05/19 (Week 7)
I founded that creating a packaging from scratch is not easy for me as there were times where I struggled with creating them. In the end, I managed to complete all 3 items but I wished I could've done a better job at it. 

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FURTHER READINGS

Basic Pack by Index Book

Book Cover

This book showcases various packaging designs from categories such as entertainment, fashion, health and beauty, home and office, industrial, food and beverage. Through the contents of this book, I got to look at all these photographs of packaging design and take it as an inspiration.

Here are some snapshots of my faves.