Monday, October 20, 2008

Iconic package

Packaging is paramount in product marketing insomuch as a consumer's first impression of a product often lies in its packaging. Thus, manufacturers must convey what they feel is most notable about a particular product on the facade of its packaging. A year ago, I was at the store with my mom as she searched for a new home phone system. Of all the dozens of phones on display, one particularly angular, high-end system by V-Tech was packaged as if it were a jewel. We picked that one.

The packaging of luxury goods are often iconic such as the eye-catching, bright yellow box of Fendi; the orange and chocolate, equestrian marked box of Hermes; or the warm bronzen box of Gucci.

Usability issues that exist for packaging center on if the packaging facilitates intended use of the product. For instance, a poor water bottle design would consist of a bottle whose orifice was some strange shape. This would not promote use of the product as a strange shape does not conform to the contours of a mouth. A good packaging design, such as that of Playstation 3, contains the device snugly, but provides for easy, uncumbersome removal and re-storage as needed. No pesky, needless, asinine compartments here!

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