The Package
Design Project

As an introduction to both package design and 3D mockups, the Package Design Project offers a good entry point. You are encouraged to make either:

  1. A hot sauce bottle - designing the bottle, label and seal.

  2. A cereal box - designing the front, side and top panels.

(Note: You can propose other package design options based on models you create or find as well.)

Note that good package design:

  1. Gets good attention and stand out from the crowd. Strive for something original, clever, or unconventional.

  2. Clearly communicates what the product is (coffee, pizza sauce, etc) - and in a desirable way.

To ccomplish these goals, you’ll need to create original artwork for a product and container of your choice. While you are welcome to attempt a real, physical package design (i.e., to design, print, cut, fold, and glue a product) using this small box dieline template, you can also take a digital 3D mockup approach.

This involves:

  1. Creating or selecting a 3D model of your product.

  2. Designing the labels and/or faces of your product.
    Rendering your 3D mockup.

  3. Adhering to FDA design standards for food labels.

To help assure originality, all artwork should be created using Illustrator or Photoshop. To assure effort, a minimum of 2 labels are required (e.g., front label and seal).

To learn some essential Package Design Workflows we will use the following resources:

You can also use one of the 3D product models within Adobe Dimension (Note: but more effort will be award to those who start from scratch).

Assessment

As with all projects, your Postcard Project will be assessed by:

  • Professionalism - Project is done "to spec", follows directions, and fulfills all requirements.

  • Craftsmanship - Project exhibits an admirable application of design principles, an aesthetic style, and use of app workflows.

  • Challenge - There is producible evidence that the final design underwent the entire design process and was significant challenging.

  • Originality - Project content is unique (not copied, derivative, a template, AI generated in part or whole, or a reproduction of a tutorial).

    Note: Images referencing drug use, guns, violence, hate speech, etc. are not permitted.

Process

1. Communicate

Because the Package Design Project requires you to be both the client and the designer, the design process is simplified from the traditional Graphic Design Process. But you will still communicate, just with yourself. Do some self-examination, and write a short design brief based on the following questions:

  • Do you have a favorite sauce or cereal?

  • How would you rebrand this product?

  • What types of images, visual effects, and fonts would be thematically aligned to this rebrand?

2. Research

Based on your design brief, visit the following websites and others to conduct focused research:

Google
Behance
Dafont
Google Fonts
TextureLab
Pexels

When an images resonates with you, screen grab it (CMD+Shift+4 on a Mac, Win + Shift + S on a PC) and drop the collective images into gomoodboard. Note: You should have at least 20 images to reference.

3. Ideate

Based on your moodboard, grab your sketchbook and draw at least 6 possible solutions.

From these initial 6 solutions, selected one favorite (or a combination of your top two) . Flip the page over and draw 6 new variations based upon the initial solution you selected.

From this second round of 6, pick your top solution.

Before you fully commit, get some feedback from classmates, family, . . . anyone you can. Listen to learn - and be open to suggestions - you might come up with an even better solution with some outside feedback.

4. Formalize

Using Illustrator, either draw from scratch or import/trace your favorite solution. Paying close attention smooth curves, aligned edges and other professional standards (see “Specs & Standards” below).

Specs & Standards

 

Your Package Design Project will make use of Adobe Dimension and Adobe Illustrator (Photoshop optional). Be sure to match the proportions of the label with the 3D model of your choice.

Your Package Design Project should be submitted with the following specs:

  • .jpg file format

  • File name standard: lastname-firstname-project-version#.jpg

Issues and
Guidlines

The Package Design Project presents a number of design challenges. Scroll down to view some common issues and helpful guidelines.

Avoid overly simple, boring labels - try to show (with images), not just tell (using just type alone) with your label design.

Avoid overly generic solutions - consider showing your product.

Mascots an illustrations can be helpful - but be sure they create a positive association with the product.

Use appropriate color schemes that align with the product and its intended audience.