Packaging & Merchandising Design [ Final Project : Merchandising & Promotional item ]

 24.04.2025 - 04.07.2025  week 1 - week 11

Sheryne Axellia Putri / 0367267 / Bachelor of Design (Honours) in Creative Media
Packaging & Merchandising Design

Final Project 

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Instructions

2. Feedback

3. Reflection

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          LECTURES          

*All lectures are noted in exercise blog.

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          INSTRUCTIONS          

Final Project

Students will build upon the existing packaging design and food product to create a cohesive brand experience through merchandise and promotional initiatives. They will identify opportunities to enhance brand visibility, attract new customers, and foster brand loyalty by designing merchandise items and implementing promotional strategies tailored to the target audience and market context. 

Students will be required to create FIVE (5) merchandise items, including a POP Display based on Project 2. The project aims to develop students' skills in creating and designing merchandise that reflects the brand and the packaging design.

1.1 Progress - Ideation

We had to consult with Mr. Shamsul regarding our merchandise. Our goal was to create something useful for customers who purchase our bottles. During our discussion, we realized that we wanted to expand our target audience beyond just adults seeking a healthy lifestyle. As a result, we brainstormed merchandise ideas that would help customers in practical ways, specifically focusing on how to stay healthy and hydrated while traveling.

Therefore, our theme will be centered around travel, and our merchandise will include:

• Bottle strap (Aisya)
• Cleaning kit set (nylon brush, microfiber cloth, and small soap) (Sheryne)
• Foldable shopping bag (Jovan)
• Notebook (journal, tracker, planner) (Lizzie)
• Bottle case (Jovan)

Moodboard

1.2 Progress - Cleaning kit set

I initially thought the pouch would look like a zippered cloth. However, after consideration and feedback, we don't think this type of pouch is suitable for the cleaning set since the size of the brush is quite large.

So we agreed to use this type of pouch for the mockup, it's not too big and small, perfect for everyday bring.

I was looking through inspirations about what kind of brushes and how they usually look for bottle cleaning, and I came across this brand for baby bottles.

I created a sketch of how the pouch would look because, at that time, I couldn't find a mockup that matched my vision.

I wanted the pouch to have this silicone cover and also be very light. We compiled our design ideas and showed it to Mr. Shamsul for further insights:

#1 Compilation

After receiving feedback, Mr. Shamsul said we can proceed with our mock-up, particularly focusing on finding one that aligns with my sketch. He also encouraged us to work on and consider our advertising materials.

I found a pouch mock-up that closely resembles my sketch.

This is the outcome we agreed upon. Personally, this approach is my first experience, as I'm not really accustomed to minimalist style. However, it is more important for all our merchandise to look cohesive with each other.

I found a brush that is the perfect size for the bottle cleaner. I noticed the hole in the handle, which I added DYO's ":" element to resemble the logo.

This is the soap packaging as an additional for the set, that comes in a small size. I placed 'handwash' on the front, because I took note that DYO's bottle can be washed using a handwash. So this is the compilation the cleaning kit set:

#2 Compilation

After presenting our merchandise from the last consultation, Mr. Shamsul stated that our design is balanced, but it would be best to remove the soap idea so we can focus more on the cleaning set rather than the soap.

Final cleaning kit set

1.3 Progress - Advertisement material

• We divided the tasks for this:

Aisya: Bottle strap, bottle prototype, Instagram ad, and travel app advertisement

Jovan: Foldable shopping bag, portrait billboard, and bottle cover

Lizzie: Travel journal, product shelve display, and bus stop billboard

Sheryne: Cleaning kit set, bottle tracker prototype, Instagram ad, and LRT station ad

Hydration Tracker

Aisya selected this tumbler as our bottle prototype because Dyo does not have its own prototype. She chose the design from the brand TYESO and included a pill compartment.

To make the bottle resemble the Dyo Care sketch created by TDS students, I edited the image using Photoshop to add a tracker. It was a bit challenging to figure out how to track it while keeping the design minimal and easy to read.

I searched on google for reference how hydration tracker on bottles look like, and I used this as a reference, it tracks based on what time you should drink refill your water.

I decided to make the tracker glass transparent (that's why the background is the stainless steel), so people could see the height of their water inside, to easily remind them when to drink and refill their drink. 

#1 Instagram ad

For the Instagram post, since we mainly promote the product, I had an idea to make the bottle appear alive by editing this mockup photo of our DYO's tumbler.

I used the app Ibis Paint to edit the lighting and perspective more accurately, as I am more experienced with it. I found it challenging to adjust the shadows of the bottle because it is made from matte material, and I needed to ensure that it didn't appear too shiny.

This post is to highlight to the viewers on social media the uniqueness of DYO care.

After the the feedback during our final presentation, we decided to make our design look more connected, by using Aisya's transition element.

I changed the hue to be less yellow/orange, into a more cool tone. And remove the background.

• Final IG post

Same layout and text, but just with different direction.

LRT station - digital signage 

For this signage design, I wanted to do the same direction as the IG posts I did, but this time using Aisya's bottle strap prototype.

I found a mock-up of a woman holding a bottle of water. I specifically chose an image where it looks like the person is walking, so the final look of the signage resembles the people in the LRTS station as they walk by. When they see the signage, they will be able to relate to it and connect with the traveling lifestyle.

Since the shape of our bottle is different from the mock up, I edited it using ibis paint again, while adjusting the shadows and colors of the bottle so it'd look real.

This is the signage I chose, because we agreed the location resemblance a LRT station in Pasar Seni and KL Sentral.

2. Final Outcomes

• Merchandises

• Advertisement material

• PPT slides

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          FEEDBACK          

Week 11

Broaden the merchandise theme beyond DYO's intended audiences while still maintaining a connection to them.

Week 12

Find the mockup for your design, but overall, the design looks balanced. 

Week 13

Please continue with the advertisement materials, like billboards, and ensure they align with your theme. For example, the billboard could be located around KL or at an LRT station. For the cleaning kit set, please remove the soap mock-up.

Week 14

The portrait billboard needs to harmonize with the overall promotional design style. Mr. Shamsul suggested using the transition element Aisya made and incorporating it into our posters.

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          REFLECTION          

Experience

While I’m glad that we completed our presentation and designs on schedule, but I somewhat wish I could have managed my time better or been less hesitant to explore more with DYO Care, as I still believe we need to design for the TDS students. Ultimately, I’m happy that we finished on time.

Observation

I never noticed that the transition elements from our bottle packaging could be used as a design direction for our advertisement materials. This realization made me understand how poor time management and a lack of awareness can cause someone to overlook important details. I'm grateful that Mr. Shamsul pointed this out, as I believe it has helped our designs look more balanced with each other.

Findings

It's important to consider your design direction beforehand. In this case, while still using real-life pictures, we can further improvise by combining those elements with the transition circle to create a cleaner layout.