Product Package Design

Lesson Plan

Engineering a product package using Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop, Typography, and a Die cut template.

Course, Subject

AICE 9704, Art & Design

Grade Levels

9-12

Description

Who hasn’t been frustrated by hard-to-open, clumsy containers? Maybe it is a product that that the packaging just doesn't make sense, and needs to be improved. Assuming the role of engineers, students learn about the design process and examine the packaging of everyday products. They then analyze a specific product and devise a better design, producing a better product for the consumer, and documenting their process along the way.

Duration

This project will take 12-16 class days depending on speed and abilities of the class, and how detailed the student wants to make this project.

Learning Objectives

Students will be able to:

• learn about the engineering design process
• identify packaging requirements and problems of a product
• design a prototype for an improved product package
• compose a written report that contains recommendations for their new design

Materials

• Pencil
• Sketchbook
• Digital Camera
• Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop software
• Computer
• Internet Connection
• AICE Rubric

Step by Step Procedures

Day 1:

• Introduce Project
• Show samples
• Start the Process, brainstorm.
• Sketch product/packaging, and add details to develop a drawing/rendering.

Day 2:

• Continue to develop with your drawing/rendering.
• Artist Study: Find the person(s)/company who developed the product/packaging, and report on the findings. Tip: Include how you could better the product.
• Think about about initial colors that you are attracted to.

Day 3:

• Color Theory: Create color swatches & talk about color schemes
• Understand the reason you are choosing the colors for the consumer.
• Add color to your product packaging
• THINK about style or look of a font(s) you would want to compliment your product packaging design.

Day 4:

• Font Study: Sketch out fonts ideas in your sketchbook
• Apply the font sketches on your packaging (start on the sketches first then the more detailed color drawing)

Day 5:

• Font Study (cont.): Use one of the reference fonts sites to research downloadable fonts for your product packaging design.
• Download the fonts to experiment with. NOTE: Your final design will have no more than three (3) different fonts.

Day 6-12:

• Computer Lab: Use Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop
• Illustrate any graphics necessary for your design
• Build in Layers: Name your Layers so they are easy to identify.
• Build on top of your template. NOTE: DO NOT create a design larger than a U.S. letter size (8.5” X 11”)
• Build your product packaging i.e. print, cut-out, glue NEATLY

Assessment

Students are assessed with a rubric. See attachment in Materials section.