VISC 304
Better Packaging
Redesign a packaging experience for a kitchen utensil/office supply/tool with consideration to it’s sustainability. In our throw-away society, manufacturers usually specify their packaging choices based on conventional sizes/materials or perceived budget restraints. Not often enough is consideration is given to the user’s experience of it, how it leverages their brand or how it impacts the environment.
Create a package that expresses how it looks, what is does, what it is like to use it. Pay specific attention to how the package holds the object (protect), shows the object (communicates a story) and is an extension of the experience (so someone can keep the package or be able to up-cycle it).
Designers can have a power impact on all phases of the user experience. Often our involvement is limited to the duties of creating graphics and specifying materials. This project is meant to challenge your design muscles and give you an opportunity to think up and down the entire design process. Research and concept are as the form of the design.
Deliverables:
1) Object fully packaged
2) Dieline
3) Final Poster 3-5 Images and your brand elements (11x17 print)
Office & Art supplies (with Brand Name)
Pencils (Carbon)
Paintbrushes (Inkwash)
Pens (Penpoint)
Erasers (Blankspace)
PaperClips (Wire-o)
Scissors (Chop Chop)
Stapler (Standard Staple Co.)
Staples (fixx)
Pushpins (Gallery)
Rubber bands (Binder Brand)
Binder clips (Stack)
Bottle of Ink (Artisan)
Xacto Knife (Cross cut)
Highlighters (Glooco)
Tape and/or Tape Dispenser (Tape Mate)
Glue Stick or Glue (Grip Equipment)
Post-it Notes (Story Stickers)
Hole Punch (Punch)
Rubber Bands (Flexi)
Magnets (snap)
Label Maker (Tag)
Correction Fluid (Fixit)
Tape Measure (Pro Rule)
Acrylic paints (ChromaVibe)
Watercolor paints (AquaFusion)
Colored pencils (Color Flex)
Oil pastels (Blend)
Graphite pencils (graph line)
Small Sketchbook (mini canvas)
Paintbrushes (brush-craft)
Protractor (precision angle)
French Curves (curvve)
Palette knives: (PalettePro)
Linoleum blocks (BlockCraft)
Calligraphy pen (script style)
Fountain pens (Flow Inc)
Charcoal sticks (CharcoChic)
Colored markers (ChromaWave)
Fixative spray (Fixible)
Drawing pens (Precision Pen)
Linoleum carving tools (LinoCraft)
Wood Block Carving tools (WoodCraft)
Clay tools SculptStyle
Calligraphy/India ink: InkStyle
Artist's tape (ArtTape)
Blending stumps (fuse art)
Cooking & Kitchen Utensils (with Brand Name)
Whisk (Mix It Up)
Spatula (Flip Flop)
Garlic Press (Press Co.)
Peeler (Pare & Peel)
Basting Brush (Baste Mode)
Measuring Spoons (Exactly)
Citrus Squeezer (Main Squeeze)
Microplane (Zester)
Meat Thermometer (Ready Roast)
Salt and Pepper Shaker (Sal & Pep)
Chip Clips (Chipper)
Can Opener (Latchkey)
Pizza Cutter (Slice)
Wine Opener (Uncorked)
Ice Cream Scoop (Joy Co.)
Salad Tongs (In the Mix)
SCHEDULE:
2 / 8 / 24
HOMEWORK
Word List or Mind Map
Brand Audit for Existing Brand
Dive deep and think conceptually with these. It will make your brand stronger.
(75) Sketches for symbols / Pattern / Wordmarks / Illustrations / Icons / Etc. This can be for mutiple objects.
Distinct pencil concepts. You may have to do more to fully explore all your ideas. Remember that the goal here is visual range. Think about how to represent the ideas from your concept map? How can you combine ideas together? A logo is not always a picture of an object. Logotypes, etc.
2 / 13 / 24
IN CLASS
Review Packaing Choices / Research
Review Mind Maps / Names
Review sketches / pencil exploration
HOMEWORK
Continue to Sketch / Refine your ideas.
Choose your top (15) minimum marks and move them into the computer. Explore style, legibility, simplification, etc.
Think about a mix of logo and logotype as well as how they can work together? What similiarties can they share? What typeface did you choose and why? What visual characteristics do they logo and logotype share?
Don't just draw your object. Think about what it does? When do you use it? Who is for etc?
2 / 15 / 24
IN CLASS
Review Computer Explorations
HOMEWORK
Refine top (10) Explore style, legibility, simplification, etc.
Think about a mix of logo and logotype as well as how they can work together? What similiarties can they share? What typeface did you choose and why? What visual characteristics do they logo and logotype share?
2 / 20 / 24
IN CLASS
Review Computer Explorations
Type Pairing and Logotypes
HOMEWORK
Refine your two brand systems and build out each one in a distinct concept. These should be visually different from one another.
Think about type, color, pattern, shapes, icons,etc. How do they work as a system?
What colors typefaces, iconography style, patterns, or color can you build out that represent your brand?
2 / 22 / 24
IN CLASS
Review Brand Systems
Sophomores (Class of 2026)
https://arcd.ku.edu/interaction-design
https://arcd.ku.edu/visc-curriculum-2026
https://arcd.ku.edu/ixd-curriculum-2026
Survey https://forms.gle/TxBBVopwbUJqcSCF9
HOMEWORK
Refine two brand systems.
Think about type, color, pattern, shapes, icons,etc. How do they work as a system?
What colors typefaces, iconography style, patterns, or color can you build out that represent your brand?
2 / 27 / 24
IN CLASS
Reivew Brand Systems Exploration
IN CLASS
Finalize your brand system. Continue to refine both the logo and logotype as well as the typographic and graphic elements that make up your system.
Pay close attention to scale and legibility at small sizes.
What colors typefaces, iconography style, patterns, or color can you build out that represent your brand?
Due Next Class (1-2) 11x17 Brand Boards with all your elements. Think about this as a toolkit for branding your packaging.
Show alternate logo formats, colors , patterns, iconography, typography, etc.
Think about how to lay this out and show us your elements in an interesting way.
02 / 29 / 24
IN CLASS
Brand Board Due!
HOMEWORK
1. Create a full-size packaging prototype in color that includes all info:
Brand Name/Logo
Tagline and/or Descriptive text
Identify Item/Product
Quantity (if multiple)
Size and Weight
Barcode
Company info
2. Design an 18x32 inch poster (same aspect ratio as as IG story) that walks viewers through the project. Design it so it works both in print/onscreen. Print at 60% scale to fit on an 11x17 for feedback.
What to include on your Packaging Poster/Post:
your product, any images of product or
other objects that inspired redesign original packaging problems/packaging goals
(could be images w/ call outs or could be bullet point list)
your product/brand identity kit of parts
new packaging dieline
final images with any callouts to show unique features of the design
03 / 05 / 24
IN CLASS
Review poster prototypes.
Review packaging prototypes.
HOMEWORK
1. Create a full-size packaging prototype in color that includes all info:
Brand Name/Logo
Tagline and/or Descriptive text
Identify Item/Product
Quantity (if multiple)
Size and Weight
Barcode
Company info
2. Design an 18x32 inch poster (same aspect ratio as as IG story) that walks viewers through the project. Design it so it works both in print/onscreen. Print at 60% scale to fit on an 11x17 for feedback.
What to include on your Packaging Poster/Post:
your product, any images of product or
other objects that inspired redesign original packaging problems/packaging goals
(could be images w/ call outs or could be bullet point list)
your product/brand identity kit of parts
new packaging dieline
final images with any callouts to show unique features of the design
03 / 07 / 24
IN CLASS
(Work Day / Class Optional) Alex will not be on campus. Get feedback from Jeremy if you need
it or email me.
Your final printed poster is and printed packaing are due on the return to spring break on 3/19
HOMEWORK
1. Create a full-size packaging prototype in color that includes all info:
Brand Name/Logo
Tagline and/or Descriptive text
Identify Item/Product
Quantity (if multiple)
Size and Weight
Barcode
Company info
2. Design an 18x32 inch poster (same aspect ratio as as IG story) that walks viewers through the project. Design it so it works both in print/onscreen. Print at 60% scale to fit on an 11x17 for feedback.
What to include on your Packaging Poster/Post:
your product, any images of product or
other objects that inspired redesign original packaging problems/packaging goals
(could be images w/ call outs or could be bullet point list)
your product/brand identity kit of parts
new packaging dieline
final images with any callouts to show unique features of the design