Computer Arts Projects issue 109

Packaging is all around us, fighting for our attention. From toys that use every colourful trick in the book to attract pester-power, to organic cheese simply wrapped in greaseproof paper, each product is a design challenge unlike any other. And from Absolut Vodka bottles collected by students to ubiquitous Innocent smoothie bottles, everyone has their favourite examples; we’ve highlighted just a few in these pages.

Undoubtedly environmental issues will have a big impact on packaging designs in the coming years, as consumers demand less waste and materials that are easier to recycle. In our special ‘green’ section we’ve explained the issues and offered a range of solutions I’m sure you’ll find useful.

Kate Evans, Editor

IN THE MAG

GREENER PACKAGING DESIGN

The future of green packaging
Darren Smith looks at how environmental considerations will affect the future of packaging design, and the innovations already in use

Design eco-friendly packaging
Tin Horse’s Martin Bunce reveals how to develop a brief with sustainability in mind, as well as understand a product’s life cycle

How to go green
The very latest solutions to creating sustainable packaging, from recycled glass bottles to compostable food wrappings and vegetable inks

FEATURES

Toy packaging – then and now
From the 1950s to the present day, Dom Hall explains how toy manufacturers have led the way with new techniques to maximise sales

Solutions for success
Ten essential practical points to help your product at the point of sale, from Elmwood’s Jonathan Sands

Packaging design makeovers
Stacey King Gordon compares the ‘before and after’ of five redesigns, which changed the fortunes of struggling products

PROFILES & INTERVIEWS

Honey Creative interview
We speak to Doug James about this British packaging design agency’s approach to branding

Blue Marlin’s favourite packaging
Rob Riley gets inspired by a classic whisky bottle

Pearlfisher profile
Pearlfisher’s creative director Jonathan Ford explains how good packaging designers need to challenge the norm and try something different

JKR’s favourite packaging
Glenn Kiernan celebrates French perfume packs

TUTORIALS

Create a Pink PSP press pack
Follow the development from early concepts to working prototypes and the finished item

Develop packaging for food
Peskimo explains the design principles behind creating labels for food packets and tins

Build a bottle prototype
Create and test a 3D sliceform prototype in Illustrator and 3ds Max

ON THE CD

Packaging showcase
This month your free CD includes samples of packaging designs by Lewis Moberly, Honey Creative, Fluid Studios, and Jones Knowles Ritchie, as well as many more top design agencies and creatives.

PLUS you’ll find PDF extracts from our featured books, and tutorial files…