Week 35 - Week 48
Sangeetha A/P V Supramaniam | 0339644
Lectures
Lecture 1 : Introduction to the module
Week 1 | 29th August 2019
On the first day of class, our lecturer, Mr Shamsul, briefed about what to expect in the coming 14 weeks. He took us through works of our seniors to set expectations, quality benchmark and basic requirements for the class as a whole. There were many examples as students tend to make Packaging their Final Year Project (FYP).
Instructions:
The first lesson focused on the Purpose of Packaging. It is more than something easy to open, carry or look at. After a few minutes of research time given, we were meant to list on the board: the purposes of packaging. Check out our compilation below:Instructions:
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| Image 1.0: Students take on the Purpose of Packaging |
1) Protect (safety, preservation)
2) Convenience (portion control, utility)
3) Brand/ Identity
4) Communication
5) Sustainability
After that, we dived into Brand/Identity aspect, talking about the difference between a branded house and house of brand. A branded house means to have one brand market a range of other different brands (e.g. P&G, Unilever). House of brand means that company itself is the brand and it's products and services are subsets of the main brand (e.g. Google, FedEx).
We were briefly told of our upcoming Projects as well.
Project 1: Book sleeve
Project 2: Participation in the Asia Student Packaging Competition 2019 (AsPac)
Final Project: Collaboration with the Bioscience students
We were then briefed on the upcoming pair presentations. Azmina and myself was allocated the week 6 presentation slot regarding Merchandising & Visual Merchandising Design. With minimum 5 slides and to mention different phases/levels to the designs.
Next week: To bring a sample packaging to class (preferably one we admire or special) to be reviewed together as a group.
Week 7: It was mentioned we would be conducting Thermoforming. Note to bring a thick plastic sheet and any product that can withstand heat to prevent melting. No sharp or complex shape. We would be learning about display packaging/products.
*All submissions has to go through Google Drive then posted on Google Classroom.
Lecture 2 : Anatomy of Packaging
Today we talked about the history, evolution of packaging, as well as packaging in our modern day and the different types of packaging. It was presented by our classmates that were allocated the topic for this week. The presentation can be seen below:
There are 3 different Levels to Packaging:
Primary: Touches the product or in direct contact. e.g. perfume bottles
Secondary: To protect the product, inform and attract customers. With branding and design
Tertiary: To protect both the primary and secondary packaging. e.g. sealed cardboard box
We talked about the perceptions that come with the packaging of a product. Cleaner and less fuss designs tend to be more premium and towards luxury products. Whereas, more cluttered packaging design with cheap materials meant products of lower cost.
The front panel of a box is meant for brand and product introduction. The side and back of panels are for other information or ingredients of the product.
Lecture 3 : Colours and Typography in Packaging Design
Today we talked about the role of colours and type in packaging design. Classmates presented regarding what colours could mean, the typography aspect, trends in typography in packaging and the typography technicalities in packaging.
Lecture 4: No class due to haze
Exercise 1 : Box Constructing
Week 2
We were tasked to design a box for our own choice of product. I chose a wallet to be placed in a rigid box. Creation of the basic prototype is shown below.
However, it's the basic shape. I intend to use mounting board as the main material and cover it with paper. Also, will be adding a die-cut at the front and an added flip mechanism upon opening the box to provide more interaction between product/brand and consumer.
Next week: Complete the die-line (0.3 pt stroke with mm for artwork measurement) of the box on Adobe Illustrator prior to class. It will be checked by the lecturer before we head to the laser cut studio. *No shorts and slippers (open toe shoes) within the studio. Bring along PVC glue/cow glue for sticking using brush. Mounting board and 80-100 gsm white paper to construct the rigid box.
Exercise 2 : Bottle label
Week 6
We each chose a bottle wrap to redesign. I ended up choosing a drinking yogurt bottle as shown below.
After considering the downsides of the label, I've redesigned it to enhance the personality of the Farm Fresh brand.
Week 7
I managed the first draft of the label design. However, it was not a successful attempt as it was too messy and lack of pop of colours.
Week 8
Below shows the final revamped label for Farm Fresh and reasoning behind the changes:
Exercise 3 : Thermoforming
Week 7
We began with a trip to the wood working studio to be introduced to the equipment.
Image 1 shows the first stage of thermoforming whereby the block of wood (object) is placed beneath the plastic sheet on a platform. Then the heating tool is used to soften the plastic sheet. In image 2, once the sheet is soften (you may judge by pressing your finger on the plastic), slowly pull up the lever to raise the platform towards the plastic. In image 3, the vacuum machine is activity to remove the air surrounding the object.
Below shows my thermoforming of a thumdrive:
We were briefly told of our upcoming Projects as well.
Project 1: Book sleeve
Project 2: Participation in the Asia Student Packaging Competition 2019 (AsPac)
Final Project: Collaboration with the Bioscience students
We were then briefed on the upcoming pair presentations. Azmina and myself was allocated the week 6 presentation slot regarding Merchandising & Visual Merchandising Design. With minimum 5 slides and to mention different phases/levels to the designs.
Next week: To bring a sample packaging to class (preferably one we admire or special) to be reviewed together as a group.
Week 7: It was mentioned we would be conducting Thermoforming. Note to bring a thick plastic sheet and any product that can withstand heat to prevent melting. No sharp or complex shape. We would be learning about display packaging/products.
*All submissions has to go through Google Drive then posted on Google Classroom.
Lecture 2 : Anatomy of Packaging
Week 2 | 05th September 2019
Today we talked about the history, evolution of packaging, as well as packaging in our modern day and the different types of packaging. It was presented by our classmates that were allocated the topic for this week. The presentation can be seen below:There are 3 different Levels to Packaging:
Primary: Touches the product or in direct contact. e.g. perfume bottles
Secondary: To protect the product, inform and attract customers. With branding and design
Tertiary: To protect both the primary and secondary packaging. e.g. sealed cardboard box
We talked about the perceptions that come with the packaging of a product. Cleaner and less fuss designs tend to be more premium and towards luxury products. Whereas, more cluttered packaging design with cheap materials meant products of lower cost.
The front panel of a box is meant for brand and product introduction. The side and back of panels are for other information or ingredients of the product.
Lecture 3 : Colours and Typography in Packaging Design
Week 3 | 12th September 2019
Today we talked about the role of colours and type in packaging design. Classmates presented regarding what colours could mean, the typography aspect, trends in typography in packaging and the typography technicalities in packaging.
Lasercut:
Create a dieline. Different colours for cutting and folding lines. Ensure all lines are joined to one another. There should not be any grouped images, compound paths or layers within the file. When using the machine, the folding line is set at a much lower number compared to the cutting line. Folding line is usually set at 10-15, cutting at 100 or more. Note that it's subjective to the thickness and type of the paper.
Usually in mass production of packaging, a steel cutter (steel plate) that is shaped as your packaging is used. Which includes an impression for folding.
Project 1 Brief: Book sleeve and paper bag + a third item
Lecture 4: No class due to haze
Week 4 | 19th September 2019
Exercises
Exercise 1 : Box Constructing
Week 2-4
Week 2We were tasked to design a box for our own choice of product. I chose a wallet to be placed in a rigid box. Creation of the basic prototype is shown below.
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| Image: Sketches and measurements for the rigid box with added mechanisms |
Next week: Complete the die-line (0.3 pt stroke with mm for artwork measurement) of the box on Adobe Illustrator prior to class. It will be checked by the lecturer before we head to the laser cut studio. *No shorts and slippers (open toe shoes) within the studio. Bring along PVC glue/cow glue for sticking using brush. Mounting board and 80-100 gsm white paper to construct the rigid box.
Week 3
At the laser cut studio we went through process of downloading the file into the lab pc and uploading it onto the software to instruct the laser-cut machine to perform the cutting. In the Illustrator file, it is important to ensure all lines are at 0.3 mm (strictly set the rulers at mm format) and joined by the ends.
Process of using the computer > laser cut machine. Firstly, use your thumb drive to transfer the DXF file into the computer desktop. Open it and set the max and min power and speed of the cutting. Download document to transfer the file to the machine. Note that USB is for the second machine (left). At the machine, before placing the chosen paper, ensure the laser power is off and only switch it on when the door is closed shut. Click origin and box to check the area in which the cutting will take place. Adjust with the arrow keys if necessary and repeat origin - box to double check.
Process of using the computer > laser cut machine. Firstly, use your thumb drive to transfer the DXF file into the computer desktop. Open it and set the max and min power and speed of the cutting. Download document to transfer the file to the machine. Note that USB is for the second machine (left). At the machine, before placing the chosen paper, ensure the laser power is off and only switch it on when the door is closed shut. Click origin and box to check the area in which the cutting will take place. Adjust with the arrow keys if necessary and repeat origin - box to double check.
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| Image: Note that when exporting the file from Illustrator, export a DXF format as shown. |
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| Image: Box after folded and paste together at the ends with masking tape and cello tape. |
Week 4
Covering and wrapping the box with sticker paper for the finishing touch and a cleaner look.
Image: Top and side view of box after wrapped with sticker tape.
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| Image: 45 degree view of finished box |
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| Image: Side view of finished box. |
Exercise 2 : Bottle label
Week 6-8
Week 6We each chose a bottle wrap to redesign. I ended up choosing a drinking yogurt bottle as shown below.
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| Image: Farm Fresh bottle label (front) |
Week 7
I managed the first draft of the label design. However, it was not a successful attempt as it was too messy and lack of pop of colours.
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| Image: First draft of label design that needs to be improved further. |
Below shows the final revamped label for Farm Fresh and reasoning behind the changes:
Exercise 3 : Thermoforming
Week 7-8
Week 7We began with a trip to the wood working studio to be introduced to the equipment.
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| Image: The process of Thermoforming |
Below shows my thermoforming of a thumdrive:
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| Image (left) is the front view and image (right) is a side view. |
Feedback
Week 2
Consider adding another usage or aspect to the box instead of just a plain rigid box.
Week 3
Ensure all the lines are joined together and rulers are placed at mm format. Export to a DXF format and save it to a pen drive to upload it onto the machine software. Using the mounting board with tape, you may cover it up with sticker paper or rather wrap it up with sticker paper.
Week 4
There was no class due to the haze condition.
Week 5
Feedback was on Project 1.
Week 6
Mr Shamsul mentioned how I may tackle the redesign of the bottle label. Consider the current hierarchy of information and how I can make it better or make it more easier to be received by the consumers. Also, consider the colours and background of the product. Hows about the information at the back, what can I do to make it better?
Week 7
My bottle label wasn't looking too good. It's not there yet. Currently too messy and only using blue makes it look flat and unappealing. Add some pops of colour to provide variation. There are currently too many elements, the eye can get confused looking at everything everywhere or all over the place.
Week 8
Label is much better. Just increase the image a little and its good enough to submit on Google Classroom. For Thermoforming, try not to melt the plastic - which happened regardless the warning.
Reflection
Experiences
I was astonished that we will be learning many different packaging aspects such as Thermoforming and Laser cutting through workshops. Looking forward to them.
Observations
I realized having 9 other classmates does not cause me anxiety or nervousness. In fact, I feel more at ease being in a smaller group.
Findings
The purposes of Packaging can go beyond just aesthetics and basic functions. There is as much theory behind a simple plastic bottle as there is to a rocket (not that much but you get point).
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