MIAMI UNIVERSITY COURSEWORK 2025
THE PaCKAGING PROJECT
The Packaging Project was assigned to me as a part of my Miami University coursework. The goal of the Packaging Project was to successfully develop visual branding and unique and functional packaging for a product or service.
For my project, I developed the brand Scenta, a quarterly perfume subscription for the seasons. I decided to create hexagonal boxes with detachable lids and small pamphlets.
Through many phases of ideation and iteration, my project came to life in the form of four different packages.
PROCESS
IDEATION AND ITERATION
I began the Packaging Project by researching specific packaging I felt worked successfully. I sketched out ideas and practiced physically with paper prototypes and templates.
In the next phase of the project, I started using materials such as cardboard to develop my packaging, while playing around with colors. I chose colors from seasonal palettes I found online. However, during critique, my peers informed me these colors did not accurately represent the seasons, so I went back to the drawing board. I was also told to add a design to the outside of the packaging. The previous packaging was one solid color and the logo, as I was aiming to acheive a minimal look.
In the third phase of the project, I created a simple, wavy design to go around the packaging. I wanted the design to fill the empty space, while still maintaining a minimal, polished look and feel. I also altered the color palette to more accurately represent the seasons.
Images from sketchbook and personal process
FINALIZING AND REFLECTING
The last phase of the project involved bringing my vision to life physically. Throughout this process I had been building versions of my packaging. However, I wanted the final product to be polished and refined. I even created four packages that were meant to be the final, but when I wasn’t happy with them. The raw edges were showing, the printer did not accurately produce the colors I had chosen, and the material did not line up where necessary. Therefore, I decided to create four final versions more while running on a tight deadline.
These packages requried intense precision when it came to measuring. The smallest mistake when measuring could lead to matieral overlap or skewing of the packaging or design. The material had to be clean cut. I had to use specific printers to ensure the color printed correctly on both the packaging, as well as the pamphlet.
I created templates for the packaging material with specifications on where to cut and where to fold. I worked in partnership briefly with an employee from Pratt Industries, using their 100% recycled corrugate as the material for my packaging. I created templates for the design that wraps around the top (lid) and bottom of the packaging. Lastly, I created template for the pamphlet. The pamphlet rest inside the box on top of the bottles, so when the user opens the box, the pamphlet with names and descriptions is the first thing they see.
Overall, this project took an incredible amount of time and effort, as well as many iterations. However, this was my first time attempting packaging design, and I ended extremely pleased with the outcome of Scenta.
Images from personal process and Adobe Illustrator files
