Packaging the Brand

Gavin Ambrose is a practising graphic designer whose client base includes the arts sector, galleries, publishers and advertising agencies. He has written and designed several books on graphic design, branding and packaging. Paul Harris studied at the London College of Communication and has gone on to become a freelance writer and editor. His work has appeared extensively in magazines and journals on both sides of the Atlantic, including style bible Dazed & Confused.

The 'packaged' brand: Key text: Beatrice Warde - The Crystal Goblet; Is packaging branding?; What is packaging design?; Branding and rebranding; Audiences and sectors; Purpose and intent; Retail environments; Bespoke to global; Solo and range; Propriety and own brands; Monolithic, endorsed and unique; Luxury and value; Case study; Student exercise: Neal & WA lf. Research and concept: Key text: Edward de Bono - Lateral Thinking; Responding to briefs; The design process; Market research; Concept generation; Ways of thinking; The promise; Rethinking the expected (transformation); Case study; Student exercise: Reinvention. Design approaches: Key text: John Berger - Ways of Seeing; Visual shorthand; Branding, language and colour; Point of difference; Personality; Persuasion; Humour and appropriation; Protection, attributes and experience; Case study; Student exercise: Ritual. Form and elements; Key text: Dieter Rams - Ten Principles for Good Design; Form and design; Shape and ergonomics; Surface graphics; Print finishing and materials; Front and back of pack; Case study; Student exercise: Type and image. The future: Key text: Marshall McLuhan - The Medium is the Massage; Changing retail environments; Environmental considerations; Ethics of packaging; Case study; Student exercise: Ecological.