What is packaging design? Definition, objective, examples.

What is packaging design?

Packaging design is the process of conceptualizing and executing the physical form, and visual look and feel of a product's outer packaging. It is a marriage of typography, imagery, illustration, structure, size, and colour.

It requires that the designer is intimately familiar with these three things:

1) The design of competing products on supermarket shelves. 

2) Where the brand's product is likely to be placed, so will it occupy the bottom two or three shelves, which isn't in the consumer's direct line of sight? Or will it be placed on top towards the end of a row? Unless it is a market-leading brand, the product is unlikely to be placed in the centre.

3) Lastly, where it will be sold, so what markets. Design for largescale retail stores its very different from designing for boutique stores.

This all affects the recommendations a designer makes.

What is the purpose of packaging design?

Unsurprisingly, the role of packaging design is to protect the product within and to make the item easy to transport. Whether it's being loaded into boxes for unpacking at store level or placed in a plastic bag to be carried home, it needs to be practical and durable.

It also needs to keep perishable goods fresh for longer.

A secondary function of packaging design is to stand out on retail shelves. The aisles in retail stores are tightly packed with thousands of brands vying for shoppers' attention.

And with competing brands accounting for at least 60% of a store's market, small boutique brands can't secure prime position on the shelf.

That's where great design comes in handy. Intelligent or insanely creative packaging design can overcome shelf placement, regardless of whether it's at eye-level.

It can increase sales, and even entice the staunchest critic to switch brands, so make sure you do your homework when choosing a packaging design company.

What are the types of packaging?

The most common types of packaging include: 

• cardboard or corrugated boxes
• glass jars
• plastic bottles or containers
• paper
• aluminium tins such as sodas or cookie containers.

As packaging design evolves, creatives have switched up from the standard rectangular box to cylindrical cardboard tubes. Glass jars range from square to oval, and some take on a fluid-like shape—this is most evident in perfume bottles.

The packaging of artisanal chocolates comes in all shapes and sizes. From hexagons to pyramids, these designs engage the consumer and create an experience. You want to pick it up and touch it.

Is packaging design eco-friendly?

While not all packaging is eco-friendly, its simply too expensive, consumers are pushing for more reusable or recyclable packaging. People want to reduce their carbon footprint and positively impact the world. 

We've seen consumers forgo plastic milk cartons in favour of refilled glass jars. Instead of purchasing biscuits in cardboard boxes, shoppers now choose decorative biscuit tins that can be reused or repurposed. 

And manufacturers are innovating their packaging by producing biodegradable cardboards. Add a little water, and your tea box becomes excellent fertilizer.

First world countries lead the way for environmentally friendly packaging, but there is a surge in manufacturers trying to offer more eco-wise packaging in third world countries. 

While it can be argued that cost and demand initially hindered this move, retailers and shoppers are now insisting on it.