Statement of interest for 4th year thesis project

For the fourth year thesis project, I will be creating works that are related to packaging design.[1] I have thoroughly thought about what I am interested in, what I have experienced with and what I might want to do as a career in the near future, and “packaging design” and “logo design” both came to my mind right away. Ultimately I chose packaging design because I had a few experiences with it since I was in high school. I have designed a new package for a McCain juice box for my school project as well as the packaging on the box that was inspired by Anna Sui. The first year at OCAD, I also did a series of 10 cartoonish juice boxes targeted at children, each with different flavor and color.[2]

Packaging is everywhere you look[3] - it’s in your refrigerator, your medicine cabinet, your closets[4], on the streets, in the stores, and many more[5]. Dynamic and unusual package designs can really make a statement in overcrowded markets.[6] [7]Packaging today needs to do so much more than protecting, preserving and promoting the products it contains due to the rise of environmental issues and globalization[8]. It is very challenging yet exciting to designers to create innovative solutions[9] that are also sustainable and eco-friendly. I think it is absolutely true that you can have a great product but the design can take your product a longer way because a great package can lead the consumers to purchase the product[10].

The packaging industry is more competitive every day[11] and therefore, creating a new package that is innovative[12], adds value[13], and makes a connection with the consumer is very challenging[14]. The package of a product can make or break a sale[15]. I am currently taking packaging design at OCAD and it positively helped enhance my knowledge in packaging, as well as develop my creativity and graphic design skill. In the site "Design Council"[16], they provided an overview of packaging design. The information was very helpful in helping me to create a successful packaging[17] and I will be referring back to this website later on when we begin our fourth year thesis project.

5 KEYWORDS (describing the issue):

- consumers product

- advertise

- market

- competitive

- brand

5 KEYWORDS (describing the design disciplines/ media):

- two-dimensional/ three-dimensional

- advertising

- identity

- product packaging

- eco-friendly

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[1] Ian House, “Examples of Package Design,” Exhibits 2006, The American Package Museum, 10 November 2009

http://www.packagemuseum.com/index.htm

[2] “Course Description,” 09/10 Course Calendar, 2007, Ontario College of Art and Design. 9 November 2009

http://academic.ocad.ca/course_calendar/2009/detail.cfm?course_code=GDES%203B04

[3] Grip, 1,000 Package Designs: A Comprehensive Guide to Packing It In (Los Angeles: Rockport Publishers, 2008) 98-295.

[4] John Correll, “Power Packaging,” Custom packaging design 2002, Correll Concepts LP, 10 Nvember 2009

http://www.correllconcepts.com/Pizza_Packaging/_home_packaging.htm

[5] Andrew Gibbs, “Package Design,” The Dieline 2007, The Dieline, 9 November 2009

http://www.thedieline.com/blog/

[6] Tim Robertson, “Getting the Best of Product Package Design,” Product Packaging Design 2006, BigCity International, 9 November 2009

http://www.bigcitygraphics.ca/index.html

[7] Allen Rabinowitz, "Visual Identity in a split second," Package Design 2002, Packaging Graphics, 10 November 2009

http://www.packaginggraphics.net/visual-package-design.htm

[8] Catharine Fishel, and Stacey King Gordon, Little Book of Big Packaging Ideas (California: Rockport Publishers, 2007) 103-109.

[9] Marianne R. Klimchuk, and Sandra A. Krasovec, Packaging Design: Successful Product Branding from Concept to Shelf (New Jersey: Wiley, 2006) 194-201.

[10] Luke Herriott, The Packaging and Design Templates Sourcebook (UK: RotoVision, 2007) 229-280.

[11] Marilyn Gris, “Graphic Design Production – Packaging,” Full Time Programs 2004, Mohawk College of Applied Arts and Technology, 10 November 2009

http://www.mohawkcollege.ca/calendar/gdpPackaging.html

[12] Capsule, Design Matters: Packaging 01: An Essential Primer for Today's Competitive Market (Minneapolis: Rockport Publishers, 2008) 4-25.

[13] Derek Whitney, “Real World Packaging,” Packaging Design 2004, About.com, 10 November 2009

http://desktoppub.about.com/gi/o.htm?zi=1/XJ/Ya&zTi=1&sdn=desktoppub&cdn=compute&tm=131&f=21&tt=14&bt=0&bts=1&zu=http%3A//www.mohawkc.on.ca/dept/pmt/real_world.html

[14] Luke Herriott, Designer's Packaging Bible: Creative Solutions for Outstanding Design (UK: RotoVision, 2007) 2-35.

[15] Marta Serrats, Unique Packaging (UK: Collins Design, 2007) 22-83.

[16] "An introduction to packaging design," Packaging design, 2008, Design Council. 9 November 2009

http://www.designcouncil.org.uk/About-Design/Design-Disciplines/Packaging-design/.

[17] Steven DuPuis, and John Silva, Package Design Workbook: The Art and Science of Successful Packaging (Los Angeles: Rockport Publishers, 2008) 43-47.