Packaging & Merchandising Design / Project 2: Innovative Packaging

28.09.2022 - 26.10.2022 (Week 05 - Week 09)

Adeline Wong Chyn Nee / 0344017 / Mr. Shasmsul & Ms. April

Packaging & Merchandising Design

Project 1 / Promotional Packaging

INTRODUCTION

Project 2 / Innovative Packaging (Collaboration project with School of Biosciences)

Week 08- Week 11

20% - Group

For project 2, we were tasked to be in a collaborative group task with the students from School of Bioscience where we have to create packaging for their created food. In this semester, it is Banana Sweet Potato Balls. Not just that, Kawan Food, which is one of Malaysia’s leading exporter and largest manufacturers of frozen Asian food, will be involved in this collaboration and in the end, a final design will be picked by them.

Project Brief:

Our task is to propose and produce a packaging design for a selected project from SBS. The packaging should be able to communicate and be marketable in the local or international market. The design should communicate the benefit of the product and you may require to create the brand for the product.

A. Forming of group:

In class, we formed together our group members very quickly as we know each other and were sitting together at a table, we figured it would be suitable. From this discussion, our group members would be me, Adena, Jacklyn, and Maisarah. We then decided on our group name, we set it on JAAM as it is all the first letters of our names combined, and it is also a food name, we figured it would be suitable.

We created a Whatsapp group for group communication and discussions, we would then carry on to have discussions and update our progress on a collaborative online whiteboard platform called MIRO.

B. Weekly Progress:

1. First Meeting:

Fig. 1.1.1 First Zoom Meeting (Screenshot)

We had our first Zoom meeting the day after our week 8 class to discuss our brand name and colour. We all shared our own ideas and voted on the best one, in the end, we chose Banana Pom. it is a mix of the letters "potato" and "blossom", symbolising the ingredients used in the Banana Sweet Potato Balls.

2. Voting for Colour and Typeface:

Fig. 2.1.1 Colour Ideas

Next, we went on to discuss the colour palette for our brand Potato Pom, different colours are laid out for the members to choose, and we can vote for two.

Fig. 2.1.2 Votes from members

The members each voted for their two colour picks and in the end, we decided on green and yellow as the main colours.

Fig. 2.1.3 Colour Palette Choices

Fig. 2.1.4 Final Colour Palette

After deciding on colors, we voted on which type family to use in our designs, we put down three votes and this time we got two choices, which we put the most voted as the main typeface and the second as the second option.

Fig. 2.1.5 Typeface Choices and Votes

A reason for missing members on this part of the project:

Before anything, our group had thought that we had to include a standee in our final submission due to miscommunication from one of our members.

By then, we had already split the group work into packaging design to standee design whereas I and Adena would work on the packaging and Jacklyn and Maisarah would work on the standee. So this is our split work with Adena during week 9, starting with research and dissecting some existing packaging.

3. Research and Dissecting:

Fig. 3.1.2 Research on other packaging

To understand the good and bad of the current packaging market of similar products, we researched things to avoid and things to take away from the packaging.

Fig. 3.1.3 Dissecting Kawan Food packagings

We then dissected the elements of two Kawan Food packaging like the descriptions, visuals, textures, information, etc.

Fig. 3.1.4 Dissecting a Bibigo packaging

We also dissected the elements of a Korean F&B as well as a frozen food brand, Bibigo. We learned a lot of what good elements to include from here such as how to show the filling attractively and what other elements to include.

4. Inspiration Boards

Fig. 4.1.1 Splitting the roles

I and Adena split our work for the packaging which she focused on the information and I focused on the visuals, however, we had a collaborative work meeting to design the final first draft of the design.

Fig. 4.1.2 Inspirations for packaging

Me and Adena also compiled some inspirations that could help us in the form of an idea for our packaging design. [click on the image to expand]

While Adena worked on her part of the packaging, I went on to create the visual on Blender.

5. Inspiration Boards

For this part of the packaging process, I created from scratch the potato ball visual for our packaging design use, I started by creating a round shape then I applied the colours and textures with a sweet potato ball reference behind it.

Fig. 5.1.1 Potato balls development in Blender #1

Fig. 5.1.2 Potato balls development in Blender #2

Fig. 5.1.3 Potato balls textures in Blender

Fig. 5.1.4 Potato balls export #1

Fig. 5.1.5 Potato balls export #2

Fig. 5.1.6 Potato balls export #3

6. 1st Attempt on the Packaging Design

For our initial design idea, we went for the safest route and attempted to stick with the familiar Kawan Food design style, which came out looking pretty outdated like the original packaging.

Fig. 6.1.1 Design Development

Fig. 6.1.2 Chosen layout sketch

Fig. 6.1.3 Typeface element

Fig. 6.1.4 Visual element

Fig. 6.1.5 Final first attempt

Fig. 6.1.6 Final first mockup attempt

After feedback sessions with Mr. Shamsula and Ms. April, we decided that this is not the suitable design style route we should go for and instead, choose something that would appeal to the younger audience.

7. Attempt #2!!

With one less member in our group, we still managed to make it work, we started by looking at our own preferred design styles and each created designs according to our inspiration boards.

A. Jacklyn's Inspirations

Fig. 7.1.1 Jacklyn's Inspiration

B. Adena's Inspirations

Fig. 7.1.2 Adena's Inspiration

C. Adeline's Inspirations

Fig. 7.1.3 Adeline's Inspiration

8. Developments

After rethinking our overall ideas, each of us executed our own design ideas.

A. Adena's Box Design

Adena's design style leans toward colourful illustrations of organic shapes while including the visual I did on Blender <3

Fig. 8.1.1 Adena Banana Pom packaging

B. Adeline's Box Design

I did two different design approaches, one software packaging looking, and one a Taiwan fun illustration style. both focusing on the colour orange/ yellow.

Fig. 8.1.2 Adeline Banana Pom packaging

C. Jacklyn's Box Design

Jacklyn went with a minimalistic illustration design style with vibrant colours.

Fig. 8.1.3 Jacklyn Banana Pom packaging

D. Uploaded mockups on MIRO:

Fig. 8.2.1 Adena Banana Pom packaging (horizontal-front)

Fig. 8.2.2 Adena Banana Pom packaging (horizontal-back)

Fig. 8.2.3 Adeline Banana Pom packaging #1 (vertical-front)

Fig. 8.2.4 Adeline Banana Pom packaging #2 (vertical-front)

Fig. 8.2.5 Adeline Banana Pom packaging #2 (horizontal-front)

Fig. 8.2.6 Adeline Banana Pom packaging #2 (horizontal-back)

Fig. 8.2.7 Jacklyn Banana Pom packaging (horizontal-front)

Fig. 8.2.8 Jacklyn Banana Pom packaging (horizontal-back)

E. Die-cut layouts

Fig. 8.3.1 Adena Banana Pom packaging (die-cut)

Fig. 8.3.2 Adeline Banana Pom packaging #2 (die-cut)

Fig. 8.3.3 Jacklyn Banana Pom packaging (die-cut)

9. Presentation

After compiling all the designs in presentation slides along with the introduction of our brand, we did a presentation to the lecturers, professors, Kawan Food representatives, and the BSB students. This is our presentation slides.

10. Improvements

A. Chosen one (after feedback)

Fig. 9.1.1 Chosen design after feedback (front)

Fig. 9.1.2 Chosen design after feedback (back)

Fig. 9.1.3 Chosen design after feedback (die-cut)

FINAL SUBMISSION

A. Final Packaging design:

Fig. 10.1.1 Final packaging design (front)

Fig. 10.1.2 Final packaging design (back)

Fig. 10.1.3 Final packaging design (die-cut)

B. Presentation:

FEEDBACK

Week 09

Specific Feedback:

We were told to look into more trendy styles rather than following the style that Kawan Food does. We could look into more organic shapes and new vibrant colours that would attract the younger generations.

We were advised to edit and photoshop the pictures. To understand the market, we were advised to dissect the existing packaging. We were told to focus on the texture and have a theme and target that market. Finally, we have to set text, visuals and style for a consistent look.

Week 10

Specific Feedback:

We were advised to exclude the use of leave to give a different perception and use the plate instead. make sure all info is there. The first looks like a software packaging design. We have to make sure to have a margin for the second one, the third one looks like a book. We have to also make sure to have all the necessary info on the packaging. The wave is too much, have a more simplistic style wave.

REFLECTION

Experience

Throughout this group project, I've learned many things, but mostly, what I've learned is to work collectively in a group despite facing difficulties in the beginning. It was really important for us to just support each other and give constructive criticism when needed because that way, we made things work so much better and faster.

Observations

For this project, me, Adena, and Jacklyn went for a free design-sharing approach where we execute our own design idea and make a mockup of it, we then show them to the lecturers for feedback. The chosen idea would then be further developed and improved collectively. I found that this way, we get to put out the best work as our outcome while still working together.

Findings

Through this project, I find from my group mates that it is okay to take action against irresponsible and uncooperative group members. just not being afraid of calling them out will change everything as it did for our group. Our progress had immediate improvements when only hardworking people are working on it. Next time, I'll make sure to not look past such mistakes.

FURTHER READING

After our first feedback, we had a struggle with which design style to set on and so I've decided to do a further read on packaging design trends for the next year to prepare myself with the knowledge.

Fig. 11.1.1 Packaging article by 99design

Fig. 11.1.2 10 packaging design trends for 2023

After reading the article, I learned that the top 10 packaging design trends for 2023 are:-

1. Illustrated ingredients in punchy palettes

2. Tactile texture

3. Wrap-around patterns

4. Typographic scrawl

5. Mascot variations that tie products together

6. Ecstatic colors

7. Cartoon charm

8. Product visuals with a creative twist

9. Sticker book aesthetic

10. ’70s vintage

From the top 10, I have chosen 3 of my favorites this I would like to try in the future. They are 1, 7, and 10. With that, I went to Pinterest to match the styles I prefer, and with the inspirations found there, I could use them for my future projects.

1. Illustrated ingredients in punchy palettes