OUGD402 - Self Branding Research - Packaging Design

After determining that I want to produce my own line of hair products for my self branding I have looked into the style of packaging that I find most engaging. This style is very reminiscent of the distinguished gentleman style.

To ensure I produce a well informed design I am researching visual elements of a variety of packaging.

I have looked into the styles of stock used for the labelling and decided a textured stock or textured effect will suit the style of design the most. From the examples of packaging I have looked into, the designs demonstrate the use of creased texture or stained stock. This process can be achieved using tea or coffee to create an interesting texture. Another process I have noticed is the burning of edges. All these techniques give the finished design an aged quality.

I have experimented with the shapes of the labels of the designs I have looked into. All of these designs feel like an old fashioned style of packaging through the use of the shapes used to produce the label. I will experiment with this technique in order to make my designs have a similar tone of voice.

Many of the colours used in these designs are organic and low in tone. Often reds and oranges are used; these colours are eye-catching and draw attention. Often one colour is used at a time as well as the black used for typography. Sometimes the typography is coloured in a grey tone and the label stock is an off white cream colour. These affects give the design an aged look.

A variety of typefaces are used in each design. Many labels use a variety of styles in the same fonts as well as a mix of different fonts. Both serif and sans serif fonts have been used. I have looked into a variety of fonts that suit the distinguished gentleman style and that fit this tone of voice of packaging. I am going to experiment with letterpress for my packaging design as this will create an authentic style.

To make the designs more engaging, often small shapes and illustrative flourishes are used. This creates the effect of making the design look busy. It also creates the effect of labels being handcrafted which gives it more of an old fashioned aesthetic. 

All of these techniques create the distinguished gentleman style and give the packaging designs an aged look. This aesthetic is the design that I find most engaging and what I would like to pursue for a career the most. In creating my own brand of products for my self branding it will give any future clients an example of my design skills.