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I do quite a bit of package design for surface graphics. I have always found finding inspiration for package design online and in books quite difficult, it just seems to be an area which is not as popular as other areas of graphic design. The type of package design work often featured in books is for areas such as cosmetics and food rather than looking at all areas.
On a recent project to design some packaging for some surge protector trailing sockets I was searching for some inspiration one of the best sites I found is a blog called the dieline which is a feast for the eyes in package design. Broken down into different categories the dieline features all different types of package design not just the more popular areas.
I have searched for package design on Flickr before with little success, but what I discovered when I looked again is that I had done the wrong search. A search for “packaging design” rather than “package design” was much more promising yielding nearly 9000 results (not bad!).
I also ordered and received a book from Amazon called Packaging: Design Successful Packaging for Specific Customer Groups (Demographics) which is very good, it splits packaging design down by target age, kids, young adult etc etc. I wasn’t sure what to expect from this book as the cover looks quite eighties, but the content inside is good.
What packaging design inspiration sites and books would you recommend?
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12 Comments
Cool Packaging.. You should check out the packaging of Fresh and Easy products. A U.S based organic market. SO simple and so clean.
The packaging is the first step in marketing. This is what make me buy a product or not, at least for the chocolates
Hi Tara,
I envy you. Package design is something I have yet to create or learn. I just don’t get those type of clients yet. We practically do everything else but package design. I would love to learn someday.
Do you use InDesign for it? Do you know of any posts around that explains the process of package design? That would be a nice read as I really want to learn this soon.
Nice post, and funny how the results changed so much for “packaging design” rather than “package design”!
Thanks for your commnets Sean and Seocontest2008.
Brian – I use quark with illustrator guides (guides supplied) to create the surface graphics. I then use Strata 3D to make the 3D visuals of the boxes. I don’t know of any posts about this I am afraid the process is similar to other design jobs.
Ha, wow! I just discovered this site last week too! I was looking in my Communication Arts magazine and saw a featured design group that I really liked. I went to their website and they had a new blurb that they were featured on Die Line. I immediate subscribed to DL when I got there. I love the work they show!! Have you seen the student entries? Those are pretty incredible!
Hi Lauren,
I think I have looked at nearly all of it including the student work – some great stuff!
Cool package design. I am a beginner in this field, but interesting to learn more.
Its really hard to come up with a concept with no idea on hand. Inspirations really is a time saver in creating an artwork.
Its amazing how something so simple like the GU chocolate design can be SOOO attractive. I totally beleive that the simpler the design the better it is most of the time.
The cover design reminded me of a book I once had – Paper Engineering: 3D Techniques for a 2D Material. Got in from amazon a couple of years back.
Love the typography used in GU. Packaging design is not something I have done to much of. Think I am a little scared of it! With every project being so different I take my hat off to designers that rise to the challenge. I agree with the comments above that simple package is so much more attractive than busy in your face designs.
TI tell you the truth we hardily ever touch upon package design at our studio and printing works. This is down to the nature of the local economy.