4. Creating an Information Architecture
Think again about these three questions. Especially who buys your product and where you find it. You can use this information to create an information architecture for the package.
You can provide beautiful pictures of your products, great ratings from your customers, witty explanations that show off your looks, and great graphics that show customers how to use the product. However, when the buyer looks at the package they will probably only remember one thing.
What do you want?
Choose what you want to know about the product. It should be the center of your design. You can then select a product or click on the link to add two or three items to display after the transaction is completed. Let's take an example.
1) Lelini's brand name is the most important. Next, there is a tagline that indicates what the product can do to buyers.
2) The most important thing that consumers need to know is that they are organic. And the picture tells you how you prepared the product.
3) Look at the picture. Are not you hungry? You can see exactly what is in the bag. And second, it tells you how easy it is to prepare at a glance.
You have a great idea! Now is the time to give some feedback. Here are a few things to consider:
1. Is your product clear?
When looking at the package, is it clear what role the product plays and for whom? Buyers will spend money on understanding. If the packaging is not intentional, make sure it is not similar to anything else. You will not want to confuse the consumer.
2. Is packaging the honest expression of your product?
One of the worst things you can do is to misdirect the product to packaging. Make sure the photo in the packaging is actually a product photo. If you show a picture of a muffin filled with raisins and there is actually one raisin per muffin, you might think that you are cheated.
3. How will this package look in 3D?
A good designer should provide a model of print preparation (flat) and three-dimensional design. You can also print a print on white paper and assemble it into a box or tube to create a full-scale model. This will tell you things you would not otherwise notice. Sometimes the image looks good when it is flat, but it looks bad when it is created in 3D (or vice versa). Make sure you understand the differences.
4. What does this package look like in the store?
How the package looks on the shelf is very important for products sold in stores. You should consider the following:
How much packaging do you see? If the products are side by side, you usually only see one side. Make sure the most important information is front and center.
What do they look like when these products are stacked side by side and on top of each other? Is there a pattern created? Do you want to be there?
What is the appearance of the product compared to the competition? Go to one or more stores where your products will be sold to figure out where your products will be placed. Most products are one color? How can you make your things stand out and get your attention?
5. Is this design versatile?
Can I easily modify the design to match the new variant of the product?
6. Can I reuse packaging materials?
This is not important for all products, but you may need to consider (and if you want to) reuse the packaging. For example, can you put your bag in a grocery store? If you are selling gardening gloves, can I rebuild the box with pollen? It is smart and functional.
6. Feedback collection
Before deciding on a 100% packaging design, make sure that key stakeholders and employees who have never heard of or have never heard of the product and have never used it before
Even if you are a neighbor across the street, people who are not close relatives to your product will notice things you never did. Consider the following questions:
What is the role of this product?
Who is buying this product?
What are the main messages you get when viewing the packaging?
Their answers to these questions will help you determine whether the package delivers what you want. If not, go to the designer and see what you can change.
7. Getting the right file from the designer
We decided on the packaging design. Now go back to the information you got from the printer and make sure you have the right files. Here's what you need:
Packaging drawings in vector format: Maybe Adobe Illustrator (.ai), .pdf, or .eps file. You need one for each package change you make.
Color Code: If your printer uses a custom color, check the Pantone or CMYK color code to get the desired result.
* Dielines: Flat pattern of product packaging. Designers and printers use these tools to create the proper layout of the package.
