Packaging and Merchandising Design - Project 1

21/05/25 - 05/06/25 (Week 5 - Week 7)
Andrea Choo Qin Hui (0366959)

Packaging and Merchandising Design / Bachelor of Design (Hons) in Creative Media

Project 1 (Designing Custom Boxes for Non-Boxed Items) 

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INSTRUCTIONS

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PROJECT 1

            For Project 1, we have to choose two small, everyday items from your surroundings that 

            do not typically come in standard box packaging. Each item should be between 15cm 

            and 20cm in size. Examples include a mug, a book, a pair of sunglasses, a candle, or 

            similar objects.

             ・Chosen Items : 

Figure 1.1 Body Lotions

Figure 1.2 Phone Case

             ・Body Lotion : 

            I chose body lotion because even though it usually comes without a box, adding custom 

            packaging would make it look more attractive and professional. A nice box can protect 

            the lotion, give space to show important details (like ingredients or how to use it) and 

            make the product feel more special. This would also make it a better option for gifting or

            selling in stores.

Figure 2.1 Body Lotion Packaging Inspiration

Figure 2.2 Body Lotion Packaging Inspiration

            I wanted the packaging to have a clear window so that buyers could see the body lotion 

            easily without opening the box. To keep the lotion bottle from moving around inside, I 

            decided to include circular inner packaging that holds it in place.

Figure 2.3 Sketch

Figure 2.4 Dieline of Body Lotions Box

Figure 2.5 Dieline of Body Lotions Box with Measurements

             ・Phone Case : 

            I chose a phone case because I wanted it to have a more luxurious and premium feel. 

            Instead of simple or plastic packaging, a custom box can make the phone case look more

            stylish and high-end.

Figure 3.1 Phone Case Packaging Inspiration

Figure 3.2 Phone Case Packaging Inspiration

Figure 3.3 Sketch

            I decided to have this type of packaging instead of the normal pull-out box because I 

            wanted the phone case to have a sleek and premium unboxing experience, similar to an 

            Apple product box. The clean, lift-off lid design adds a sense of elegance and 

            anticipation when opening, making the product feel more exclusive and high quality. 

            This type of packaging also fits well with the minimalist and modern look I wanted to 

            achieve.

Figure 3.4 Dieline of Phone Case Box

Figure 3.5 Dieline of Phone Case Box with Measurements

             ・Laser Cutting Process : 

            After making sure that the measurements for both the boxes were correct, I booked a 

            slot to laser cut everything. To be honest, this process took me a total of 2 weeks in total,

            because of the amount of people that were using the machine and material 

            complications. 

Figure 4.1 Laser Cutting Machine

Figure 4.2 Laser Cutting Results #1

Figure 4.3 Laser Cutting Results #2

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FINAL SUBMISSIONS

             ・Body Lotions : 

Figure 5.1 Dieline for Body Lotions Box

Figure 5.2 Completed Body Lotion Box #1

Figure 5.3 Completed Body Lotion Box #2

Figure 5.4 Completed Body Lotion Box #3

Figure 5.5 Completed Body Lotion Box #4

Figure 5.6 Completed Body Lotion Box #5

             ・Phone Case : 

Figure 6.1 Dieline for Phone Case Box

Figure 5.2 Completed Phone Case Box #1

Figure 5.3 Completed Phone Case Box #2

Figure 5.4 Completed Phone Case Box #3

Figure 5.5 Completed Phone Case Box #4

Figure 5.6 Completed Phone Case Box #4

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REFLECTIONS

Experience: This experience was really interesting. The hardest part for me was learning how to do the printing and cutting because I hadn't had a chance to use the laser cutting machine before this project. Even though it was a bit tricky at first, I eventually got the hang of it and could use the machine with ease. I got to try things out myself and learned a lot by doing. It helped me understand how to use the tools better and manage my time and materials more carefully.

Observations: I noticed that even small mistakes in how the material is cut or printed can really affect how the final product looks. You have to be super careful and precise. I also saw that different materials like paper or cardboard can make a big difference in how strong or nice the packaging feels. Things like matte or glossy finishes also change how the design looks and feels.

Findings: In the end, I learned that making packaging isn’t just about the design but also about knowing which materials to use and how to handle them properly. Each type of material reacts differently when printed or cut, so it’s important to choose the right one. I also learned that planning everything ahead of time helps avoid mistakes. This hands-on task gave me more confidence and a better understanding of how packaging is made.