A package is an essential part of a successful product. Even though we’d like to believe that we choose a product for its qualities, the truth is that the initial impressions often depend on the type of story the packaging can tell and the associations it evokes.
Because of that, packaging designers are as sought-after as ever. They can bring any product to life, connecting it to an audience’s desires and helping the person buying the product recognize how the product aligns with their needs, as well as what they believe in.
But how can you find the right packaging designer for the job? And what qualities are the most important in a freelance packaging designer?
Let’s answer these and other important questions below.
What is a Packaging Designer?
A packaging designer is someone who makes the shopper want to buy a product. They are responsible for designing the package that will appeal to the right person, using various elements to showcase features, boost aesthetic appeal, and highlight how the product is different from others.
But that’s not all that a package designer is responsible for. They must also consider the practical aspects of package graphic design, as it’s not just about how it looks but also how durable it is. When the product is being shipped, it’s essential that the contents of the package remain secure and that the packaging itself doesn’t get damaged, which would reduce its appeal if it happens on a larger scale.
Then there are considerations such as how easy the package is to open, whether it makes consuming or using the product convenient, and countless other user-end packaging challenges that product packaging design companies must contend with.
Because there are so many aspects to consider when designing a successful package, it’s easy to see why package designers are in such demand. Even the best product will be hard to sell if the package isn’t designed in a way that captures attention and instills confidence.
The Top Qualities of a Package Designer
To better understand what makes package and box designers good at their jobs, you need to know the types of skills and qualities that they should have. What’s more, there are certain clues that you can look for to make your search easier and be more confident that a candidate knows their stuff.
For starters, it’s a good idea to look for a packaging designer who has experience creating various styles. Some package graphic design specialists focus on a particular style or aesthetic, which can look great but might be a bit limiting when exploring the options that might suit your product best. Unless you’re confident about a specific style you want to pursue, it’s better to look for packaging designers who can offer you more choices. Look for package designers who have a portfolio that they showcase, as that can be a good way to form an initial impression.
You also need a packaging designer who has a strategic mindset and can understand your market, audience, product, and how to connect them all in a seamless design that captures attention and connects with your buyers.
Finally, consider if the fit is right based on what you were able to find about their style and approach to designing packages. If they have relevant experience (especially in your market), that could be an advantage when creating a package that stands out and is aligned with what your customers expect.
How to Pick a Packaging Designer
There’s no objective measure of which packaging design firm will be the best for your situation. And in many cases, the only way to find out if a candidate is a truly good fit is to try them out and see what types of results their design can deliver.
At the same time, there are a few key aspects of picking the right designer that you should focus on:
Style. First, you need to ensure that the style the packaging designer uses is a good fit. You probably already have a brand and other products, so hiring someone who’s known to create designs that are completely different might not be the best choice. However, if the designer has experience creating various styles, that’s an advantage because they can combine techniques to match your company and product.
Your Branding. Your brand is the central part of who you are as a company. The packaging designer you choose must understand and be able to translate your brand’s visuals onto a product design.
Messaging. Finally, since messaging is a vital part of the package, make sure to talk about how the way that the message is displayed, both through visuals and text, will impact the product’s appeal and positioning.
Where to Find a Package Designer
Even though finding the right packaging designer can be a challenge, the good news is that there are plenty of places to look for them.
For starters, you can always go to freelance sites like Behance, 99designs, Dribbble, and many others, all of which have a variety of packaging design professionals at all price points and expertise levels. Being able to look at many different options can be very reassuring and provide you with new ideas. The drawback of this approach is that you can never be entirely sure about the person you hire, and without expertise in the subject of packaging design, you might not be able to pick the right person yourself.
Another option is to hire packaging design companies, which can provide you with a more comprehensive packaging experience. But for that to happen, you need to choose the right agency that can meet your requirements and simplify the complex process of designing the package and even manufacturing it.
At Epic Packaging Group, we provide a complete package of services, including the design, manufacture, and assembly of custom packaging created for various clients. We have experience working with a broad range of industries. We can provide you with detailed input and suggestions on what might work best while also considering the practicalities of your product, shipping, storage, and everything else.
Bottom Line
Finding the right packaging designers for your product can be the difference between success and failure. At Epic Packaging, we have the tools, experience, and end-to-end solutions for maximizing your chances of success.
To learn more about our custom package solutions, call us at 424.208.2082 or drop us a message today!