{"id":4949,"date":"2023-07-26T16:42:53","date_gmt":"2023-07-26T20:42:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/refinepackaging.com\/?p=4949"},"modified":"2025-01-02T06:53:42","modified_gmt":"2025-01-02T11:53:42","slug":"how-to-find-a-packaging-designer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/refinepackaging.com\/blog\/how-to-find-a-packaging-designer\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Find an Incredible Packaging Designer (5 Critical Factors)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Packaging designers are the secret stars behind popular brands, developing imagery and messaging that consumers love to recall and relive over and over again.<\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

At a time when thousands of new companies\u2014and, therefore, new products\u2014enter the market annually, businesses rely on these experts to see their products enjoy their day in the sun. The food industry alone welcomes<\/span> 15,000 new products<\/span><\/a> every year.<\/span><\/p>\n

But with so many freelancers and agencies offering their design services, how would you know who can translate your unique selling proposition (USP) onto your brand’s visual identity?<\/span><\/p>\n

This article will discuss how you can prepare for your collaboration with a packaging designer, including the factors to consider in selecting the one who can support your goals.<\/b><\/p>\n

Before we dive in, allow us to show you some stats for insights on the consumer market from a wider angle. The figures below show how important it is to take product packaging seriously and seek the right path toward customer-centric packaging.<\/span><\/p>\n

Impact of Packaging on Sales<\/b><\/h2>\n

Attractive packaging design remains at the heart of the<\/span> unboxing experience<\/span><\/a>. According to a<\/span>\u00a0Macfarlane poll<\/span><\/a>, branded packaging made up 59% of all boxes shipped by merchants in 2022. <\/span>Moreover, 41% of respondents said that printed packaging produced memorable moments, which made them want to buy again.<\/b><\/p>\n

The outcome of this UK-based survey reflected similar sentiments of American shoppers in<\/span> Dotcom Distribution’s study<\/span><\/a>. 47% of participants who bought luxury shoppers over the past year said that “visually appealing\/gift-like” boxes (32%) and personalized packaging parts (15%) made them share photos or videos of a purchase. Meanwhile, 24% valued <\/span>sustainable packaging that is eco-friendly<\/span><\/a> and paper-based.<\/span><\/p>\n

Project Brief: Clarifying Your Vision<\/b> \"Project<\/span><\/h2>\n

Packaging designers would ask you to share the details of your project in a project brief (also called a design or packaging brief).<\/span> It lays the foundation of understanding between you and the designer or design agency by establishing your project’s purpose, scope, timeline, and budget.<\/b><\/p>\n

The brief can take time to write, but it\u2019s the most effective way to organize your thoughts and make the most of your meeting with your chosen designer. The document will serve as your playbook and prevent your designer from saying, “We didn’t realize or know you needed that” midway through the project.<\/span><\/p>\n

Here are the sections to include in your project brief:<\/span><\/p>\n

Project overview<\/b><\/h3>\n

Start the document with a short project description to help your designer envision what they need to deliver. <\/span>Include the name of your brand and product, its back story, your USP, and how you want to communicate with customers through packaging.<\/b><\/p>\n

Describe your product’s physical qualities, including its fragility, its appearance, smell, and so on.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Custom Printed Eyelash Boxes<\/h5>\n <\/a>\n\n Learn More <\/i><\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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Custom Cardboard Boxes & Cardboard Packaging<\/h5>\n <\/a>\n\n Learn More <\/i><\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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Custom Kraft Boxes<\/h5>\n <\/a>\n\n Learn More <\/i><\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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Custom Printed Medicine Packaging Boxes<\/h5>\n <\/a>\n\n Learn More <\/i><\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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Custom Hanger Boxes<\/h5>\n <\/a>\n\n Learn More <\/i><\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <\/span>\n\n <\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/span><\/p>\n

Company profile<\/b><\/h3>\n

This section describes what your company does, its values, and general objectives.<\/span><\/p>\n

Goals<\/b><\/h3>\n

Discuss your reason for getting the designer’s services. If you’re launching a new product, your goals may include brand awareness, ensuring shelf appeal, and providing a pleasurable unboxing experience.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

However, if you’re hiring a designer to improve your existing packaging, identify your current problems\u2014for instance, high production or transport costs, weak box structure, too simplistic design compared to rivals, or poor print quality.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Share your competitor\u2019s design or packaging to help your designer or agency grasp how you want to carve a unique presence in your market or niche.<\/b><\/p>\n

Providing your designer with the above information will deepen their insight into your needs, possibly giving them a list of factors to eliminate when they start<\/span> brainstorming your design<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Target audience<\/b><\/h3>\n

Define your target buyers\u2014their demographics, preferences, and buying behavior. Be specific: trying to reach senior citizens who want to safely use their home bathtubs is different from trying to reach bathtub owners of any age.<\/span><\/p>\n

Scope (design, material, and dimensions)<\/b><\/h3>\n

\"scope<\/p>\n

The scope covers your project’s technical details. <\/span>Specify the style (box type), shape,<\/b> measurements<\/b><\/a>, preferred material (including any sustainable aspects or methods you wish to apply), and finish or texture.<\/b> Remember to provide your brand style guide: logo, color palette, and<\/span> proprietary artwork<\/span><\/a>. Also, include all legal or mandatory copy you want to appear, such as ingredients, manufacturing information, warnings, and barcode.<\/span><\/p>\n

Are there any elements that you don’t want your packaging to have? Incorporate them in the brief to help reduce revisions in the future.<\/span><\/p>\n

If you’re changing your existing packaging, tell them about its shortcomings and get their feedback on how to improve it.<\/b> Also, tell your designer about your shipping, distribution, and display methods so they can recommend suitable materials.<\/span><\/p>\n

Timeline<\/b><\/h3>\n

Set your target dates, from when you want to see the design studies or samples to your expected delivery date of the printed boxes. Divide the timeline into stages depending on the urgency and output volume.<\/span><\/p>\n

Budget<\/b><\/h3>\n

State your budget, but be open to discussions with your agency so you can balance quality with cost-effectiveness.<\/b><\/p>\n

Deliverables<\/b><\/h3>\n

List the items you expect your designer to produce: mockups, digital files of the design, quantity of boxes, and any extras you may need. Discuss and agree on the approval process\u2014ask how you expect them to deliver their output for your approval for each stage.<\/span><\/p>\n

Contact information<\/b><\/h3>\n

Your project’s success will depend on regular communication between you or your team and the design agency. <\/span>Include phone numbers and messaging contact details where your designer can reach you.<\/b><\/p>\n

After your initial discussion, you may need to review the brief with your designer again to explore any changes. Amend as necessary and work together to ensure both sides share the same understanding of the brief.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Where to Find Designers or Design Agencies<\/b><\/h2>\n

\"Where<\/p>\n

There are several<\/b> places you can search<\/b><\/a> to find a designer or design agency:<\/b><\/p>\n