Packaging and Merchandising Design - Project 2
This project is a collaboration between the Design School and the School of Biosciences. Students from TBS and SLAS have developed a food product in the previous semester, and they now require packaging design for their product.
For this project, TBS, SLAS, and TDS will collaborate to create a commercially viable product that includes a business model, financial plan, packaging design, consumer profiling, media visibility, and marketing strategy for a water bottle product called “DYO.”
Objective:
The main goal of this project is to
apply critical thinking and design skills to create packaging that
effectively communicates the brand’s message while remaining visually
appealing.
Tasks:
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Research and Analysis: I need to conduct research and analyze both the product and its target market to better understand the audience and identify the product’s unique selling points (USP).
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Concept Development: I will develop packaging design concepts that reflect the brand and product values. These concepts must be original, aligned with the brand message, and resonate with the target audience.
Requirements:
My task is to propose and create a
packaging design for a selected TBS project. The packaging must effectively
communicate the product’s benefits and be marketable in both local and
international markets. I may also need to create the brand identity for the
product.
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| Figure 1.1 The bottle sketched from Business Students |
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| Figure 1.2 Template and die line for the box |
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| Figure 1.3 3D Mockup for the packaging box |
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| Figure 1.4 Packaging process in Illustrator |
On the left side, I have built a muted color palette featuring earthy shades like beige, brown, and soft grey. These tones were chosen to convey a calm, minimalistic, and sustainable feel that reflects the DYO brand’s personality. I have also included notes on typography and layout guidelines to maintain consistency throughout the design.
The middle section of my artboard shows multiple design variations for the packaging panels. Here, I experimented with vertical logo placements, the hierarchy of text elements, and the overall balance between color blocks and white space. Some variations also include abstract graphic elements and minimal patterns that add visual interest without overwhelming the design.
At the bottom, I explored additional elements, such as a water texture and an organic abstract line pattern, which could potentially be integrated into the packaging background or as subtle details. These visuals emphasize DYO’s refreshing and modern character while keeping the aesthetic sleek and simple.
My next step is to finalize the strongest concept and apply it to 3D mockups to visualize the packaging in a realistic setting. I will also refine the type hierarchy and finalise the layout, ensuring that the design communicates the product’s benefits clearly and is market-ready.
During this project, I observed how important it is to create packaging that is both visually appealing and able to communicate the brand identity and product benefits clearly. While working on the DYO packaging, I noticed that small adjustments such as color changes or logo placement can greatly influence the overall mood and readability of the design. I also realized that understanding the target audience plays a big role in shaping the design direction. For example, I selected muted and earthy tones because they match the preferences of eco-conscious consumers who appreciate minimal and sustainable aesthetics.
Findings
Through research and design exploration, I discovered that effective packaging must achieve a balance between practicality and aesthetics. Working on the die-cut templates taught me how essential it is to think about real-world applications, such as how the box folds and how the printed layout aligns. I also found that maintaining a consistent visual language, which includes typography, color palette, and patterns, helps strengthen the brand identity. Experimenting with textures and abstract shapes showed me how small design details can create a more unique and memorable look.
Experience
This project has given me
valuable hands-on experience in Illustrator, from building packaging
templates to creating mockups that reflect the final product. It has also
taught me how to iterate and refine my designs based on visual balance and
brand alignment. I enjoyed experimenting with different layouts and patterns
while learning how to present product information in a clean and structured
way. This experience has improved my critical thinking as a designer and has
helped me understand how design decisions can influence how a product is
perceived. My next step is to finalize the strongest concept and prepare it
for 3D mockups to ensure it looks professional and market-ready.
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