Re-create a die for a real cereal box

Intro

History of The Package

History of the package
Learn about how packaging came to be -- from ancient times to current day. Notice how form and function evolve over the ages to fulfill certain necessitiy. Tinning was used to prevent packages from rusting. Canning was applied to keep products air tight. Sustainable packaging is currently relevant because of our society's environmentals concerns. What motivations will drive your innovation in package design?

The Audience

The audience
Think about who you are designing for and what will drive their decision making process. Consider their gender, age, household income, location, and pricing. What shopping mode will your audience be in? Auto-pilot, variety seekers, buzz, or bargain hunters?
Gain insight into the average grocery store shopper & their buying decisions.

Goals of Package Design

Goals of package design
Learn about the two key goals of package design : communicate clearly & get attention.
Typically you will have the following components to assign to a package design:
- Brand name
- Product name
- Product description/claims
- Certification
- Net weight
Package design relies on strategically conveying product information that is relevant to the consumer. They must quickly be able to discern what a product is through design elements.
You want to design brand elements that are completely unique and sets the brand apart from similar products.
Go shopping and observe
Visit the following grocery sections:
- cereal
- natural foods
- beer / or drinks aisle
- chips
- women's beauty
- household cleaning
Take pictures of the brands that pop off the shelf and communicates the most effectively in each section.
- What are they doing better than the rest?
- Who do you think their audience is?
- What tools are they using to communicate to their audience?
- What are obvious visual strategies for this type of product?

Reading Dies

Dies
Review a basic die.
Look at different dies and learn the intricacies of each.
Keep in mind the type of product you are designing. You’ll want to lookout for how packaging changes when the package is filled with product. Be sure to place brand assets where they will be easily viewable.

Window Placements

Product windows
Learn all the ins and outs of using product windows.
Product windows are a great way of reducing a consumer’s fear of the unknown. Keep in mind window height and fill lines when creating product windows. You want to have enough padding so your client gets the best picture of the product.

Certifications

Certifications
Learn regulations around certifications & net weight.
There are many types of logos and certifications:
- Non GMO
- Certified Organic
- Kosher
- Vegan
- Gluten Free
- Environmental
- Dept. of Agriculture
My strategy is to group each certification into the same visual space. Net weights are usually located towards the bottom of packages.

Around the Package

Around the packages
Learn about regulations for the nutrition label, ingredient listings, allergen statements, etc.
Food product packaging must include:
- Nutrition label
- Ingredient list
- Allergen information
- Distributed by information
- Barcode
Alcohol labels are dependent on area regulations, and must include a government warning in bold.
Make a die for cereal
Go to the store. Purchase box of cereal and make a die out of it.
While you're at it, give your cereal your own name, product/flavor name, develop your key differentiating messages and decide who you're main market for the cereal will be (healthy folks? kids? adults? adults who love kids cereal?)

Dena Wood

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