Portfolio Clinic: Window Packaging Design

Portfolio Clinic: Window Packaging Design
Instructor: Karen Justl

Graphic design and illustration can often work hand in hand to create a unique and impactful narrative for package design. In this workshop, students will explore how illustration, typography, colour, composition, and branding work together across different surfaces of a package to tell a story. 

Starting with an initial concept and design sketches, students will develop their ideas to execute a final 3D package mockup for an imagined product. They will be introduced to window packaging, where a die-cut opening or window reveals part of the product inside, otherwise known as peek-a-boo packaging. This playful and interactive approach encourages students to think about packaging as both a visual and physical experience. Students can combine graphic design techniques with illustration skills to create their piece. Whether you prefer to work traditionally through drawing or painting, mixed media, or digitally, students from all different art and design backgrounds are welcome! 
 

What you will learn:

• How to develop a concept and design through sketching, brainstorming, and critique 

• Explore how to combine traditional and digital approaches to communicate your ideas and personality 

• Incorporate graphic design techniques and illustration skills to create eye-catching and thoughtful packaging for products

• Learn how process work and research support portfolio development
• Experiment with problem solving, visual branding, and marketing strategies

Materials will be provided by OCAD U. However, we always encourage students to bring:

• Your sketchbook to document sketches and ideas
• A phone or digital camera to document photos throughout the process
• Optional: If you have any past original work (ex: illustrations, design work that you have made) that you would like to incorporate in this package design workshop, we encourage you to bring them or bring a USB with those files!