The packaging engineer for a large consumer products company
Assume you are the packaging engineer for a large consumer products company. In this company, the Packaging Design Briefs are initiated by the marketing group and forwarded to the Package Engineering group. You currently are working on three packaging design briefs. Copies of these design briefs are attached. Note that the marketing department has completed some information on each brief and the Package Engineering department will complete the remaining information.
1. Review the Marketing Department's Input:
- Carefully examine the sections the marketing team has completed on each design brief. This will provide you with crucial information about the product, target audience, and desired marketing message.
- Look for details like:
- Product description and functionality
- Target market demographics and preferences
- Brand positioning and messaging goals
- Sustainability considerations (if any)
- Initial size and shape ideas (if provided)
2. Identify Missing Information:
- Determine the information missing from each brief that you, as the packaging engineer, will need to complete the design. This could include:
- Material selection (considering factors like cost, durability, sustainability, printability)
- Structural design (boxes, pouches, bottles, etc.) and functionality (resealable closures, tamper evident features)
- Weight and dimension limitations (shipping considerations)
- Printing and graphic design specifications (compatibility with chosen materials)
- Cost analysis and production feasibility
3. Next Steps:
- Once you understand the missing information, you can start researching and brainstorming solutions.
- Consider consulting with other departments like manufacturing or procurement to discuss material options and production feasibility.
- Utilize industry resources and software tools to explore different packaging designs and functionalities.
- Maintain clear communication with the marketing team throughout the process, especially if you have questions or need clarifications.
Additional Tips:
- Pay attention to current packaging trends and innovations that might be relevant to these products.
- Ensure your designs comply with all relevant safety regulations and labeling requirements.
- Always consider the environmental impact of the packaging throughout its lifecycle.
By following these steps and effectively collaborating with the marketing team, you can use your packaging engineering expertise to create functional, cost-effective, and marketable designs for these consumer products.