Useful Link

Came across this useful link that shows eco friendly packaging designs. Very inspirational!

A few particular examples that caught my eye!

Vim Popcorn Packaging

Cutting Board Package

HP Printer Ink Packaging

Questions

Q1. Suggest 3 Ways in which you might minimise your materials use with your package.

1. One way that I am helping to minimise materials is by not using glue and using locking tabs instead. Also, I am planning on having some windows cut out so that the products are visible and instead of wasting these bits, I am planning to turn them into beer mats.
2. I am using minimal ink. I’ve been in two minds about whether to use colour or not but using as little ink as possible would be much better, and whatever needs to be printed onto the packaging would be printed in vegetable ink which is better because it doesn’t contain nasty chemicals.
3. I’m hoping to make my packaging the right measurements so that it fits the products nicely without wasting space and having excess cardboard.

Q2. What might you yourself do to lessen your own carbon footprint in the future?

I already try to do my bit for the environment such as recycle what can be recycled, I try to cut down on using electricity and I know that my family and friends buy the energy efficient light bulbs and as I don't own a car, I walk a lot but I could:
1. Be more strict with recycling. Sometimes I’m unsure about certain materials so I will automatically throw it away without looking it up.
2. I will try and use less carrier bags when shopping and more re-useable ones. I did try doing this at one point but I need to make it become more routine.

3. Also, in the future I would like to get a car that is friendlier for the environment.

Mock up of Design

This is the design I went for. I chose this one because it is simple, can be easily transported, flat packed and easily assembled by hand with no glue necessary. It also has a handle (which is better than the current plastic one that the brewery have on their packaging) and this makes it easier for customers to carry and would save using a carrier bag. I will also have three pop-out pieces that will be beer mats.
The final piece will be made from recyclable card and I'm hoping to have minimal printing, keeping the natural colour of the material.

Packaging Nets and Tests

What sort of product do you think could use a package like this? Do you think the item would fit straight off or would it need extra padding maybe?

I had trouble with this packaging and couldn't work out where certain elements were supposed to go. In the end I was told how it was supposed to be assembled and what it was designed to hold. If I hadn't been told that it was a bottle holder, I wouldn't have known this. I'm still not sure how it works without seeing the real thing in front of me.
 

Do you think that you could improve on this net design? If “yes” then explain in what way[s].

I think the design could be improved, because it does seem a little complicated. It also seems to use a lot of material so I think that could definitely be improved.

 

Does your chosen package use glue to keep it together? If “yes” then does it use it in abundance or in a minimal way? Can you suggest a way that [if glued] this pack might be put together without glue and using ‘locking’ tabs instead? Please note down your thoughts.

This packaging was for a chinese takeaway. It did use a bit of glue (as you can see in the first image in four places where the cardboard has been pulled apart). Clearly it has used minimal glue but I think it could perhaps use locking tabs instead, and only altering the net design slightly. 

What sort of material is your chosen package made from – card, plastic etc? Is this material ‘virgin’ stock or is it re-used in some way or marked as ‘environmentally friendly’ in some way? Do you think it’s an effective material.

The material is card. It was made from 100% recycled paper board and is marked as recyclable. I think it is an effective material because they have made it suitable for Chinese food by having a shiny layer on the inside of the box so that the food doesn't soak through. I haven't seen many (if any) Chinese places that have recyclable packaging, I think more should follow this example.

 

 

 

    Does your chosen package use glue to keep it together? If “yes” then does it use it in abundance or in a minimal way? Can you suggest a way that [if glued] this pack might be put together without glue and using ‘locking’ tabs instead? Please note down your thoughts.

It did use quite a bit of glue. I think this one could definitely be made to use locking tabs instead because it's just a plain rectangular box and that can be easily altered to include the tabs.

What sort of material is your chosen package made from – card, plastic etc? Is this material ‘virgin’ stock or is it re-used in some way or marked as ‘environmentally friendly’ in some way? Do you think it’s an effective material.

This packaging is made from thick cardboard. It didn't say anything about being environmentally friendly or anything but being cardboard, it is certainly recyclable in most areas.

Rough sketches of initial designs

 

These are my initial designs. Very rough sketches at this stage. Here, I have mainly been thinking about the shape of my packaging and the type of materials I would use. All three designs are very similar but I went this way after looking at their current gift pack packaging and it seemed that they liked it (but just wanted to improve the 'green' aspect), but also, it seemed to be most suitable after meeting them and hearing their specifics of the brief.

So one thing they said needed to be improved was the fact that their current packaging has pop-out pieces that just get thrown away. I had the idea of using these bits as beer mats and giving them a design that ties in with WVB and Legges. (Perhaps their logos).

In terms of colour designs, I haven't used any on my rough sketches but have given it a bit of thought (producing colour sketches will be my next step). One idea I have is to keep the natural colour of the box and using minimal colour for logos and text. I really liked the look of the hops bag (see image) and would love to incorporate that into my design somehow.

Another idea I had was to stick with WVB's colour theme of cream and black and have the box completely black, with faded text as part of the background, using words associtated with the brewery and butchers.

I'd like to have the two logos on the front of the box as well so that it's clear to consumers where the product is from.

Other existing packaging

"Secondary package designed  for the Swiss brewery LägereBräu. Made by Oliver Wehn, Thomas LehnerJacob Kadrmas.

The print substrate is a cartonboard named Frövi Carry that is commonly used for packaging solutions like this one. We decided to turn the coated white side to the inside to reveal the original material through the untreated brown side of the carton sheet. The box is printed in three colors: yellow (a special spot color mixed for the brewery), an opaque white as first coat printed under the yellow and finally black for the texts. The printing plates for the texts can be varied to define the particular sort of beer the box is made for. A matt varnish is printed nearly all over the box with just the corona left open to achieve its unobtrusive and subtle appearance. Laterally information about the producer is placed. On one side there is a short text on the brand «LägereBräu» itself. On the opposite side a short description provides further information on the particular sort of beer. If you open the box at the perforation it reveals the inner coated surface of the cardboard. We printed the entire inside with the yellow spot color to support the idea of the box being just a physical container that on its opening discloses all the ideas and values connected to the brand and it’s product.”

 More Russia - Tomatdesign designed this limited edition beer with participation of famous French wine-maker Jean Claude. Via The Dieline.

Found: http://ambalaj.se/ (7/11/11)

The Raja Group. 

When researching existing sustainable packaging, I came across the Raja Group. http://www.rajapack.co.uk/

"RAJA Group is a French company with a wide international presence covering 14 European countries via 17 subsidiaries, one of which is RAJAPACK UK.
Created in 1954, RAJA Group is the leading European distributor of packaging throughout Europe. With the widest range of packaging of any European wide supplier and also business supplies, consumables and equipment we are able to supply the business needs for your entire company across all industry sectors.

The largest choice of packaging in Europe
RAJA is the leading European distributor of packaging with over 9000 products to meet all your business needs from protection, sealing, shipping and wrapping. A policy of constant innovation combined with a real understanding of our products allows us to offer you a product range that has the richest and widest selection on the market."

I looked through their packaging and found it very inspirational. These 2 items are the ones that caught my eye:

"Each bottle box contains built in partitioning which keeps the bottles separate. The bottle boxes for two and three bottles also contain viewing windows so the labels of each bottle can be read. This presentation bottle box is manufactured from high quality single wall micro-flute corrugated board. The micro-flute design of these bottle boxes makes them very attractive and enhances your bottle presentation.

Cut-out carry handles on the two and three bottle sized bottle boxes makes the boxes easy to carry. These incredibly strong bottle boxes are secured shut using a tongue fastening that is reusable. Why not add some raffia to create a complete gift package.

These presentation bottle boxes are delivered flat pack for easy storage and are 100% recyclable."

"A stylish alternative to ribbon, this natural raffia is approximately 1 kg and 130 cm in length.
Natural raffia can be knotted or tied to produce a contemporary feel to any wrapping. Raffia is naturally strong and secure and looks great when used with classic kraft paper."

 

 Existing packaging in Supermarkets

These images are scanned in from the Asda supermarket magazine. I thought it would be helpful to see what is currently in supermarkets packaging-wise for alcohol and how they've been designed and presented. 

Research on Legges, Wye Valley Brewery & competitors

 This is WVB's existing packaging for their gift packs containing 2x beer and a glass.

Wye Valley Brewery 

"Wye Valley Brewery is a family-run business dedicated to brewing the best cask-conditioned beer possible and championing pubs as important parts of local communities. We use only the finest quality raw materials – sourced locally wherever possible – and are proud to be recognised as the leading cask ale brewery in the county." http://www.wyevalleybrewery.co.uk/brewery/index.html

Legges

Legges choice of condiments to include in gift pack:

 

 

 

"We're a farming family, and we're passionate about farming and food. On this website you'll find lots of wonderful food from our own family farm, or from many other farms and producers in Herefordshire and neighbouring counties."

http://www.leggesofbromyard.com/

Competitors

Hall & Woodhouse

"For many years Hall & Woodhouse have been brewing and marketing traditional bottled and cask ales."  http://www.hall-woodhouse.co.uk/beers/badgerales/index.asp 

This is from the famous Badger range and is the only gift set they do (contains 16 bottles of Badger ales). This image was taken from their online store. I do like how they have the images of the beer on the front of the box. The top is left open which leads me to assume that when delivered, or if in a shop, the top would be covered up.

Whilst they have a huge section on their website called 'beer and food' which gives recipes and beer and food combination ideas, they have no beer and food gift pack.

Fuller's

"Over the years Fullers' has built up a reputation for operating great pubs and brewing outstanding beers." http://www.fullers-ales.com/history.php

"Fuller's Griffin Brewery is home to a family of beers recognised as among the best in the world.

What makes Fuller's beers so special? Insisting on the best malt and hops perhaps. Or maybe it's our unique yeast. But more than these, it takes skill, patience, long years of experience, and a fierce pride in being the best." http://www.fullers.co.uk/rte.asp?id=3

These are examples of types of packaging that fuller's use. Images were taken from their online store.

 

Wells & Young's

"Wells and Young’s Brewing Company is the epitome of all-round business excellence, demonstrating sustained growth for its beers and stockists whilst combining traditional family values with innovation and development.

Firmly placed as the UK’s largest private brewing company, it is fiercely independent, and with an enviable portfolio of some of the UK’s most loved cask beers and speciality lager brands."  http://www.wellsandyoungs.co.uk/home/about-us

I could not find any examples of packaging from Wells and Young's.

Hook Norton

This is the only example of packaging I could find on their website. I think it is a reasonably good example; it looks like it could be made from recycled card (if it isn't then it could be). It looks like it's assembled by hand with no use of glue. It looks sturdy (and clearly must be if it's carrying 6 bottles). However, if I was to apply this packaging to the brief, I don't think it is suitable for housing a condiment; changes would need to be made.

Overall designs come across as simple with their brand/beer name being the main attraction which is clearly important as people want to know what they're buying, especially if in a supermarket and the packaging is competing with other brands. Colour seems to be secondary to this, but important nonetheless. I think most if not all of these designs I've found are quite smart, stylish, simple and minimalistic. Colours are usually kept to one or two and I think that works well.