Packaging Design – Instructions & Examples
I have this packaging project set up so you can simply download a cake box template I made and start designing for your chosen product.
However, it’s okay to do something else. Just make sure whatever you choose to do fits into the time I’ve allotted in this class. While I’m suggesting you use my cake box template, I’m flexible. If you want to do a different type or size box that’s fine. Or if you want to do a wrap-around label for three varieties of salsa that’s fine. I want you to be excited about what you do.
You’ll design three things for your packaging:
1. Packaging die cut template and a full redesign of all six sides
(Illustrator, 11″ x 17″, CMYK, 300ppi)
2. 3D Digital Mockup of your new packaging
(Photoshop, 8.5″ x 11″, CMYK, 300ppi)
3. Brand Guidelines page
(Illustrator, 8.5″ x 11″, CMYK, 300ppi)
Packaging Overview
Packaging is important. As a graphic designer (and marketing person), you should think of packaging as the last mini-commercial that the customer will see before they buy your product. Will your packaging close the sale? If it’s good enough it will.
Packaging serves several important purposes:
- It delivers the product’s brand to customers
- It advertises the products to the customer
- It correctly labels our food and products
- It communicates important information to the consumer. Sometimes life-saving information like food allergens and other ingredients. It also helps us know where our food and products come from. This helps if there is a food-borne illness outbreak.
- It protects and keeps our food and products safe.
- It allows food and products to be efficiently boxed in cartons so they ship efficiently. This uses fewer resources, gas, and oil.
- It allows products to be displayed (set, stacked, or hung) in a retail store
Focus on efficient and sustainable packaging
Change the packaging to be more sustainable if possible. Less packaging is always better. There are
Grading Checklist
- Redesign packaging for an existing product currently sold in stores. You will completely redesign the package, logo, and all. First, you’ll download my template and redesign all sides in Illustrator. Next, you’ll create a 3D digital mockup and then create a brand guidelines page.
- Choose a package that has something complex to design on all sides. DON’T choose a minimalistic Nike shoe box that is all black with only a white swoosh. This won’t challenge your design skills or impress a potential employer in your portfolio. You’ll also get a low grade.
- Redesign all sides in Illustrator
- Show products and people as often as you can
- Front panel: Show the brand and the product
- Back and side panels: Show customers how to use your product, or tell them about its benefits
- Use typefaces available for commercial use (fontsquirrel.com)
- Shoot your own photos or use quality stock photos from unsplash.com, Pexels.com, or pixabay.com
- Create an appropriate brand guidelines page
- Make a digital mock-up of your new box design in Photoshop
- Typefaces (Adobe, Mac, or fontquirrel.com)
- Colors (your own or color.adobe.com)
- Photos (your own, pexels, unsplash, pixabay)
- Illustrations (your own, pexels, unsplash, pixabay)
Box Packaging Examples & Ideas
Many products are packaged in a box. Muffins, cakes, cornbread, cookie mixes, fruit snacks, granola bars, crackers, cookies, etc. Be sure to choose a packaged product that you are passionate about and maybe even use yourself. It’s also good to choose a box that needs a redesign because it’s currently not so great.
Student packaging examples on Behance
Student Packaging Examples – Behance.net Moodboard
Industry Packaging Examples
Mojo Yogurt – Packaging Example
https://www.behance.net/gallery/2221636/MOJO-yogurt
Bristly Dog Brush – Packaging Example
https://www.behance.net/gallery/76867527/Bristly-Brushing-Stick
Super Nature Packaging
https://www.behance.net/gallery/75233887/Supernature
More Industry Packaging Examples on Behance
Visit my Behance industry packaging collection for more ideas and inspiration.
