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Scrawl Insert Rework
Don't you hate it when this happens?
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What do you do with left over IKEA packaging?
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How do you design awesome packaging?
Read More8 Things Your Packaging Design Should be
What should you consider when design packaging?
Read MoreDesign Ladder
Inspired by an article written by Lars G Wallentin.
Where does your business sit on the design ladder?
I came across this concept of Lars G Wallentin's blog packagingsense.com. I had never seen this before, but it's an interesting concept.
Obviously, as designers we want to create the best possible solutions. But...
Sometimes the highest levels of design is not need, and a waste of resources and time.
Shocking statement I know!
Often excellent design isn't a requirement of the client, often best or good will work just as well and more importantly be more cost effective for all involved with the project.
It's important to understand where on the design ladder a company of project is - to ensure our level of engagement matches those requirements.
This ensures we can work as effective and efficiently as possible, and continue delivering great results that business sound.
Is it your aim to sell?
Inspired by an article written by Lars G Wallentin.
As a packaging designer - I have worked on 100s of packages, and a range of talented creative designers.
It always amazes me when designers focus on making a beautiful piece of design and forget the true essence of what packaging design is for - to make a sale!
When I came across this article 'Is it your aim to sell?' on Lars G Wallentin blog, packagingsense.com. It was music to my ears.
As Lars says in his article:
All too often designers fail to go beyond making it pretty, and forget to design for making a sell.
Managers rely on the brands value to push their products over the checkout line.
We need more effective communication!!
Here are Lars's 4 steps to achieve that goal:
1 - Give the consumer a reason why she should buy your product;
2 - Use words that provoke emotion or enthusiasm;
3 - Don’t be afraid to be more creative and, above all, surprise!
4 - Use numbers when possible, as they are instantly understood.
Next time you’re working on a piece of packaging - take a step back.
Ask yourself:
Does this design really sell the product?
Will it resonate with consumers?
The Best Briefing Questions
Inspired by an article written by Lars G Wallentin.
What is your favourite question to during a briefing?
As creative professionals being briefed on a project or task is a daily occurrence. But we sure to suck at getting the most out of it.
It's time we started reading between the lines of getting a brief, start asking questions, and turn it into more of a conversation.
Conversing back and forth, allows you to pull out key insights that could potentially completely range your approach to a project.
Sometimes it's difficult to just start a conversation - conversations are born out of questions. So let's start there - here are 10 of Lars G Wallentin's (packaging design guru) best briefing questions, these notes were inspired by an article on his website packagingsense.com.
If you're looking to up your packaging design game check out his website, it's full of great wisdom and game changing insights.
Don’t Sell Design – Sell Products
Inspired by an article by the late, great packaging guru Lars G Wallentin, from his blog packagingsense.com
What is the biggest mistake packaging designers make?
The mistake packaging designers make is...
They confuse what looks good, with what sells well – don't sell design, sell product!
It's all too easy to get caught up in the creative process of making packaging look pretty, picking patterns, colours and fonts.
But packaging's main purpose for your business is to SELL PRODUCT!
Don't forget...
Our job's as packaging designers is to show or communicate the product, explaining why your product is better than all the others.
Picking a pretty colour, or nice font is rarely the whole answer.
WHO sells WHAT to WHOM, but also WHEN, WHERE and WHY
Inspired by an article written by Lars G Wallentin.
This is marketing in a nutshell - but it's also important to packaging design.
Understanding all 6 elements of this statement, can form the foundation of a great design brief and build strong creative parameters.
Don't under estimate the power of this statement in the early stages of a project.
The Six Keys To Packaging Design Success
Inspired by a section from the book Packaging Design Workbook by Steven DuPuis and John Silva.
What makes for a success piece of packaging design?
I am a Packaging Designer by day, and I'm always keen to learn new and exciting techniques to improve my process or outcomes.
This book is a great deep-dive into packaging design, from its origins and processes to some insightful case studies. I would definetly recommend it to any one interested in packaging design.
Successful packaging design is the cross roads between so many creative disciplines.
The six keys in this spread of nudenotes highlights that.
Don't react - proact.
Connect on an emotional level.
Don't settle for parity.
Focus on core values.
Collaborate.
This six keys have opened my eyes to some new interesting ideas I hope to weave into my packaging designs.
Which is your favourite key to packaging design success?
Packaging Design 101: Part 3
Packaging Design 101 is the culmination of weeks of research from a tonne of books, podcasts and blogs with a sprinkling of my own insights and a pinch of experience.
Key takeaway:
Free PDF download.
Don’t forget to check out my article Packaging 101, at the end of the article there’s a mini graduation present, a link to a high-resolution PDF of my nudenotes I made in preparation for writing the blog.
There are no catches, it’s a completely free resource for you to use as a reference whenever you need it.
Packaging Design 101: Part 2
Packaging Design 101 is the culmination of weeks of research from a tonne of books, podcasts and blogs with a sprinkling of my own insights and a pinch of experience.
Key takeaway:
Free PDF download.
Don’t forget to check out my article Packaging 101, at the end of the article there’s a mini graduation present, a link to a high-resolution PDF of my nudenotes I made in preparation for writing the blog.
There are no catches, it’s a completely free resource for you to use as a reference whenever you need it.
Packaging Design 101: Part 1
Packaging Design 101 is the culmination of weeks of research from a tonne of books, podcasts and blogs with a sprinkling of my own insights and a pinch of experience.
Key takeaway:
Free PDF download.
Don’t forget to check out my article Packaging 101, at the end of the article there’s a mini graduation present, a link to a high-resolution PDF of my nudenotes I made in preparation for writing the blog.
There are no catches, it’s a completely free resource for you to use as a reference whenever you need it.