Classwork - Comparing Packaging
The principles of packaging design: Using coca cola
Yes there are principles of Graphic design, but they are much different to the principles of packaging design, and are definitely more specified towards the individual subject, rather than a range of principles that can be applied across all graphic products. There are 5 core principles, and all should be taken into account before finalizing a product
1) Identification and product identity:
The company identity should always be abundantly obvious on the product that you're producing, whether it be through stylistic choices of color palettes, or adding a logo, or even using a specific type face to give your product the individuality of the company. A good example i saw was how coca cola can easily be distinguished from Pepsi, although both package a similar looking, similar tasting product. Coca cola has their signature text and their color palette of red, blacks and whites dependent on the coca cola being produced - normal, diet, and zero are the most commonly known ones. Not only that, but they have their signature shaped glass bottles which were sold, and still are sold today, just not quite as commonly. The shape of it gave way to making it its own unique icon, which, in a way, can also be classed as a logo
Steelseries box
Yes there are principles of Graphic design, but they are much different to the principles of packaging design, and are definitely more specified towards the individual subject, rather than a range of principles that can be applied across all graphic products. There are 5 core principles, and all should be taken into account before finalizing a product
1) Identification and product identity:
The company identity should always be abundantly obvious on the product that you're producing, whether it be through stylistic choices of color palettes, or adding a logo, or even using a specific type face to give your product the individuality of the company. A good example i saw was how coca cola can easily be distinguished from Pepsi, although both package a similar looking, similar tasting product. Coca cola has their signature text and their color palette of red, blacks and whites dependent on the coca cola being produced - normal, diet, and zero are the most commonly known ones. Not only that, but they have their signature shaped glass bottles which were sold, and still are sold today, just not quite as commonly. The shape of it gave way to making it its own unique icon, which, in a way, can also be classed as a logo
Plain coca cola logo
Coca cola logo, with the incorporation of bottles in the background, each signifying their own different type of Coca Cola - Left to right: Diet, classic, zero, life
6 pack of coca cola glass bottles, including a the large coca cola text in the forefront, grabbing the attention of people who walk by, as well as having a glass bottle behind it, like the logo has popped off the label attached to the bottle. Each specific bottle on the inside is labelled with a wrapped red coca cola logo on a central indent in the glass, giving it the functionality of a place to grip the bottle by, so that it does not fall out of the drinkers hand.
2) Functionality
The packaging of a product should help serve the function of the product if possible and at least protect it. It should also give visual cues as to the functionalities of the product inside and what the product is so it becomes distinguishable.
The packaging of a product should help serve the function of the product if possible and at least protect it. It should also give visual cues as to the functionalities of the product inside and what the product is so it becomes distinguishable.
Coca cola six pack - This looks like it was built solely for the purpose of protecting the product on the inside by this photo. The product inside are bottles of coke, rather than cans, hence its unusual height, and would be built out of a material that would absorb impact so that the product on the inside faces no abnormalities when opened - the base function of a package
Coca Cola 10 pack - this package is built to make a coca cola can always show at the front of the box, so it can have several functionalities outside just protecting the cans inside from damage. For example, it can be used in stores when cans of coca cola are on shelves so that none of the stock remains at the back, and a can will always be visible and on show. Or it can be stored in a fridge and kept chilled but still left in its compact box packaging, again, so the can of coca cola falls to the front so its easy to grab and access, as well as making it easier to store other items in the fridge its in. Finally, it can just be used for its base purpose, for getting the product inside from one place to another without damage, and then thrown away once removed from the product inside.
One product served the base functionality of a package and had imagery on the front to identify the product inside, and the other had little imagery on the front related to the look of the product inside apart from the logo, but served a range of functionalities. This packaging does all what the other two couldn't do. its basic design is easy to store in warehouses in shops and can easily be stacked on top of on another for display, its compact design means that no products will move inside the packaging, not so much that it would cause any damage anyway, and the corrugated card protecting the products on the inside will absorb most of the impact if it were to be dropped or fell for example. It has a handle built in to the top of the box, which makes it easy for a single person to carry, even with things in their other hand, and typically on this product, although it cannot be seen in this photo here, it would have perforations in a corner, allowing for the same functionality of the previous product, to always have a coca cola can on show. The product here inside is easily displayed on the product, giving the a visual representation of what is inside: a red coca cola can (although the logo isn't popping out of it like on the graphic).
3) Navigation
Every product within a category always has a specific look to it, for example, hair care products are typically kept within a cylindrical bottle, and depending on their size, can be tall or small. Most of these bottles squeeze to extract the product from a resealable lid, and are stored in a plastic bottle. Not only does this make it easy to store hair care products in shops, but it makes the type of product identifiable just by the package design because other than other care products, this packaging isn't used elsewhere
Steelseries box
