Research Blog Post #1

    In my beginning stages of deciding a direction for my capstone project, I struggled to put into words what I hoped to achieve. I knew I wanted to fuse packaging and brand design with traditional art mediums because I find both elements interesting and related to my future career, but I believe this article titled Illustrative Design for Packaging: Unwrapping Creative Potential by Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design (RMCAD) allowed me to realize why this collaboration matters and what makes creative packaging design so powerful. 

    RMCAD describes packaging as a “canvas that tells a product’s story before it’s even opened,” where the designer must consider form, function, brand identity, and appearance. These elements make it a storytelling medium that communicates the brand's identity and ultimately allows the product to speak for itself on the shelf. As stated in the article, illustrative packaging draws in consumers by capturing attention, conveying a distinct brand, creating brand identity, telling a unique story, communicating brand values, appealing to personal taste and values, supporting perceived credibility, building trust, and increasing sharability on social media.

    In order to successfully design illustrative packaging, brand personality and color palettes must be thoughtfully considered and executed. Finding the right balance between illustration and text is also important to create a sense of harmony. The article explains that hand-drawn illustrations can bring packaging to life through texture, brushstrokes, and imperfect lines, which add a human touch and make a brand feel more authentic and relatable. It also highlights the importance of balancing detail with negative space so that product information remains clear and easy to understand. After all, the design should support the product being sold, not distract from it.

 

    Overall, this article provides me with extensive tips and research about the best ways to approach the design process and things to keep in mind. They emphasise that packaging symbolizes a canvas that allows a story to be told, and this allows consumers to be drawn in and more likely to buy the product. According to RMCAD, 72% of consumers report that packaging influences their purchasing decisions, demonstrating that illustrative design is not only eye-catching but also highly influential in driving sales.

Citation: 

Illustrative Design for Packaging: Unwrapping Creative Potential. RMCAD. (2025, October 24).

    https://www.rmcad.edu/blog/illustrative-design-for-packaging-unwrapping-creative-potential/

Images: The images attached were brands and specific products that were referenced in the article.

1: Tatcha uses watercolor-inspired illustrations influenced by Japanese heritage to tell cultural stories.

2: Perrier partnered with artist Takashi Murakami to create vibrant, illustrative designs for special bottles and cans.

3: Absolut Vodka commissioned global artist Keith Haring to design illustrative bottle editions.