Packaging and Merchandising Design | Project 2

on

10.11.2025 - 24.11.2025 (Week 8 - Week 10)
Caitlin Ong Lynn Dee / 0343801 / Bachelor of Design (Hons) in Creative Media
Packaging and Merchandising Design
Project 2

INSTRUCTION


Project 2: Innovative Packaging

This task is where 5 people are group together to create a packaging design based on one of the briefs. 

Group Members:

  • Maria Ashley Sundoko (0372793)
  • Anggia Tsani Rachmadayanti (0368487)
  • Valerius Ethan Wirawan (0372774)
  • Angelique Svetlana Pekasa (0377365)
  • Caitlin Ong Lynn Dee (0343801)
Fig 1.1 Packaging Brief (31/11/2025)

Initial Research

Our group choose to work on Brief 1. Bass Tech Ltd (Wireless Headphones). From there, each of us given our own individual task, we have to provide Visual Reference, Research on the product, Packaging Reference, Mood Board. Visual Style, Sketches. Sample physical packaging. As for me I did have any time to do some research on the product, but I did manage to create mood boards and sketches for the logo and packaging.
Fig 1.2 Initial Individual Research Compiled (10/11/2025)

Mood Board & Concept

As for the conceptual theme, we did further exploration to understand how graphic design is being made back in the day and how can we use it to evoke that nostalgic feeling to everyone. 

Fig 2.1 Retro Research & References, (10/11/2025)


After consultation with Mr. Shamsul, we realized that just only targeting 'teenager' is too general. So, we discuss further on how to come up with more specific direction for the concept, target audience, and visual search.

In the end, we decide that Bass Tech is streetwear brand with a retro-futurism concept. Geometric shapes will be use as graphic elements complement with vibrant color palette and bold typography.

For the packaging design, we have decided that the secondary packaging will be in a rigid box style holding two trays serving as the primary packaging. The top trap contains the headphones while the bottom tray contains the charging cable. As for the manual book it will be placed inside a slot located on the cover flap of the rigid box.

Fig 2.2 Mood Board Progress (10/11/2025)


Logo

During week 8, we tried revising and coming up with new ideas for the Bass Tech logo. After making several tweaks from the first digitized logo. We finalized it to have sharp edges to elevate the retro and bold look representing the brand's Identity.

Fig 3.1 Other Group Member's Logo Exploration (17/11/2025)

Fig 3.2 My Logo Exploration (17/11/2025)


Fig 3.3 Final Logo Design (17/11/2025)


Visual Design & Product Information

As for art direction of the box design we aim to apply a retro vibrant color gradient with geometric shapes and patterns that was commonly used in 80s trend. In addition, the design will be modernizing in order to make it appealing toward to fit the youth's today's standards.

Fig 4.1 Shapes Used Design Element (17/11/2025)

At the front of the box, we decided to advertise some of the key selling points of the headphones

Key Selling Points:

  1. Bluetooth 6.0 (latest version in the market)
  2. Noise cancelling (commonly found in today's headphones)
  3. AI translator (new added feature inspired by Samsung Galaxy Buds 3) 
  4. 72-hour battery (long-lasting battery helps upscale the sales)

Fig 4.2 Packaging Visual Sketch (17/11/2025)

Box Description:

  • Front: include information on which devices are compatible with the headphones: Phone, iPod, Tablets.
  • Back: include a detailed description about the product informing the users on how to the product's key features (key selling points, touch controls, soft ear cups). As well as a brief brand story of Bass Tech. Other than that, it also includes information on the utilities include along with the headphones, such as additional charging cable and manual guidebook.
  • Magnetic Flap: include a tagline for the brand "Built for Beats. Born for Vibes" with an additional music wave element.


Headphones

For the headphone, we have decided to use one of our headphones in order to present the product in the box. A photoshoot set-up was created; we can acquire a professional looking photo. Later on, we erased the background using Photoshop.

Fig 4.3 Headphone Photo Set Up (20/11/2025)
Fig 4.4 Headphone Photo Background Removal (20/11/2025)


Packaging Dieline

Before we can procced on creating the final visual packaging design, we have to create a dieline for the rigid box packaging and the tray for both the headphones and the charger. The headphone in the picture below serves as a reference for the measurements.

Fig 5.1 Measurement of our headphone (24/11/2025)


Fig 5.2 Initial Dieline Process (24/11/2025)


Fig 5.3 Final Dieline (24/11/2025)


Visual Design

Once the dieline is finished, we can start creating the visual design based on the design direction that we agreed upon. During the design's early stages, we started to explore with different types of gradients, color combination and texture.

Fig 5.4 Front Side & Magnetic Flap Design (20/11/2025)

Fig 5.5 Front Side Design (20/11/2025)

Fig 5.6 Back Side Design (20/11/2025)

After consulting with Mr. Shamsul, he suggested to keep the design cohesive and meaningful to the brand. By using relevant design element, such as using a sound wave instead of using a star and removing unnecessary object to prevent visual clutter.

Fig 5.7 Visual Design with Consultation Notes (21/11/2025)

Fig 5.8 Final Visual Design with Dieline Guide (26/11/2025)


User Manual Booklet

My task is to create the user manual for the headphones. After I was notified about the key selling points of Bass Tech, I tried to find a manual of an existing headphone that matches the description of the key selling points. I finally found a good match; the headphones shall be based on SoundCore Q20i headphones.

Fig 6.1 SoundCore Q20i headphones User Manual (21/11/2025)


I even created mood board for the design of the manual

Fig 6.2 User Manual Mood Board (21/11/2025)

Afraid that just copying the content of SoundCore Q20i headphones User Manual is consider plagiarism I ask Mr. Shamsul if he allows it. But luckily, he told me he allows it. At that point wasn't inform of the dimensions of the slot where the booklet is going to be place. So, I started creating the layout in Figma. 

Fig 6.3 User Manual Layout Planning (21/11/2025)

Once I am done, I show my layout to my teammate, and I asked them for a slot dimensions. I was told to look into the dieline AI file that Anggia have created, I measure the slot, and it is in A5 size. From there I finally got to work. During the whole process I made so edited to the pictures to algin with our brand.

Fig 6.4 Assets Used for the User Manual (22/11/2025)
Fig 6.5 User Manual Booklet PDF (23/11/2025)

After I finish the booklet design, we print it out on an A5 paper, but unfortunately it didn't turn out like we hope. So, we made several adjustments due to the lack of capabilities of the printer. We remove the dark grey backgrounds to achieve a cleaner look.

Fig 6.6 Final User Manual Booklet Physical Mockup (24/11/2025)


Packaging Test Mockup

To test out the functionality behind the dieline, we created a test mockup. This helps us to understand further how rigid boxes work and to test out their compatibility. And to envision on how the final outcome of the box will look like.

Fig 7.1 Packaging Test Mockup (24/11/2025)


Assembling the Final Packaging

Once the final visual design and the dieline for the box completed we all went to Mummy Design to order a rigid box with magnet, so we can pick it up in 2 days.


Fig 7.2 Printing the box in Mummy Design Shop (29/11/2025)

After Mummy Design finally finished printing the box, we created a dieline for the envelope slot, print it out, fold it and stick it in the middle of the box's flap. The envelop slot is carefully measured so the user manual book can easily slide in and out.

Fig 7.3 Assembling the Box (29/11/2025)

Fig 7.3 Pasting the Envelop Slot on the Box's Flap (26/11/2025)

Before printing, we made several adjustments to the design in order to fit into the box. In result, there are some minor printing errors by the printing shop. The design was slightly distorted and stretched but it's a good thing it is readable.

The box is made of rigid chip board box material while the visual design was a printed sticker done by the shop (Mummy Design), and the flap at the bottom was secured with a functional magnet.


Fig 7.4 Compilation of Box Packaging in Different Angles (29/11/2025)

Lastly, we use high-density foam as the primary packaging. The foam was cut manually to create the shape to fit the headphone and charger in two different layers to be specific.

The foam layer for charger is placed at the very bottom of the rigid box packaging, while the first layer containing the headphone is able to be lifted up out of the box.

Fig 7.4 Process of Manually Making the Foam Tray (29/11/2025)

Final Outcome

Packaging Prototype:

Fig 8.1 Final Packaging Prototype; Closed (30/11/2025)

Fig 8.2 Final Packaging Prototype; Opened (Without Product) #1 (30/11/2025)


Fig 8.3 Final Packaging Prototype; Opened (Without Product) #2 (30/11/2025)


Fig 8.4 Final Packaging Prototype; Opened (With Product) #1 (30/11/2025)

Fig 8.5 Final Packaging Prototype; Opened (With Product) #2 (30/11/2025)


Fig 8.6 Final Packaging Prototype; Close Up (With Product) #2 (30/11/2025)

Fig 8.7 Final Packaging Prototype Showcase (30/11/2025)

Digital Mockups:

Fig 9.1 Final Packaging Digital Mockup Closed #1 (27/11/2025)

Fig 9.2 Final Packaging Digital Mockup Closed #2 (27/11/2025)

Fig 9.3 Final Packaging Digital Mockup Closed #3 (27/11/2025)

Fig 9.4 Final Packaging Digital Mockup Opened (27/11/2025)
Fig 9.5 Final User Manual Mockup (24/11/2025)

FEEDBACK

Week 8
  • Mr. Shamsul said that we have to finalize one specific target audience from the Teenagers. As a group we finalised it to doing streetwear direction and a visual direction of retro/futiristic. We plan to also add geometric shapes and gradients for the design. Mr shamsul said the logo shouldn't be too decorative and complicated, just make it simple but impactful. Sir told us we can add a small ripple or radio wave icon in the logomark for Bass Tech so it kind of shows "Music". The font we chose to do for the logo is more to sharp edges but sir said we can rearrange the orientation and placement of the letters so it doesn't just stay in one straight line as we need to show the feeling of movement and energy, so the texts should be placed more freely. 
Week 9
  • Suggested to make the typography in the logo with sharp edges, later for the elements we need to blur it out with a gradient and Gaussian blur to appear neater and more blended, while the shape should represent music-related elements more. And the last note was to have consistency with the chosen typeface.
  • For the systematics of the box, he suggested to have a half-circle cut at the edge to help lift our layered packaging between the headphone and the charger, and to use a foam material for it.
  • The contents of the user manual must include two languages, English and a Malay

Week 10
    • Mr. Shamsul said we can print and do our final box in Mummy print shop.
    • The design of the User Manual looks professional 

      REFLECTION

      Experience
      Unlike the Exercise 2 I find hard to figure out on how to properly now as a group I don't feel overwhelmed. Although at the beginning I made some fumble a bit, worried my team would think less of me because of those mistakes. That the one thing that scary me while working on this project but luckily, I manage to pick myself up.

      Observation
      Observing my friend on designing the packaging design allows how to better improve my graphic design skill in the future and it show me that simplistic is key and to not over think.

      Findings
      During a group work. Sometimes we are off doing our task individually which make it is hard to maintain consistency and hard write about how the everything come together to produce the final packaging prototype.

      Comments

      Post a Comment