Packaging & Merchandising Design : Exercise 2

Angelique Svetlana Pekasa / 0377365

Typography / Bachelors Of Creative Media / Taylor's University

Task 1: Exercise 2 

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Table of contents

1. Lectures
2. Instructions
3. Exercise 1
4. Feedback
5. Reflections
6. Further Reading

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Lectures

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 Instructions

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Exercise 2

In this exercise we were tasked to create a custom box for a non-boxed item. 

Task Description:

Item Selection: Choose a non-boxed item from your daily surroundings. The size of the item is between 15cm t0 20cm. This items should not come in traditional box packaging but should be relatively small in size.

Justification: Provide a brief justification for your selection of these items, explaining why custom box packaging would enhance their presentation and functionality.

Box Design:
Box Structure: Create detailed diagrams or sketches of the box structure for each item, including dimensions, flap designs, and closure mechanisms. Ensure that the proposed box is functional and secure.

Prototype: Create physical prototypes of the custom boxes for both selected items. You can use cardboard or other suitable materials to bring your designs to life.

For this task, I choose to use to make a box packaging for 2 products, "Sambel Goreng Teri Kacang" and "Sambel Goreng Teri". These are a kind of chili anchovies made from a local business called "Pangestu" from my hometown Cirebon, Indonesia. Shown below are the products selected.

Fig 1.1, Product images, (week 3, 06/10/2025)

 

Fig 1.2, Product images, (week 3, 06/10/2025)

After that I searched for inspiration on pinterest.

Fig 1.3, Inspirations (week 3, 06/10/2025)

After that I drew some sketches for the box packaging. Shown below are the sketches that I made.

Fig 1.4, Sketches (week 3, 10/10/2025)

My main objective for the box packaging is to make the product easy to be carried, and after consultation on week 4 (refer to week 4 reflection), I decided to go on with sketch no 1. After that, I began to make the box packaging, first I measure the size manually and cut the cardboard manually to make sure that everything fits right where it should be. I do it manually first in order to include the thickness of the cardboard into my calculations.

Fig 1.5, Manual process work (week 4, 15/10/2025)

I made 2 parts of the packaging, 1is the main box for the packaging, and the other is a tray inside the box to hold the products in it. 

 

Fig 1.5, Manual process work (week 4, 15/10/2025)

After finalizing the measurements, I went to Illustrator to make the die line. I first used the rectangle tool to make the sketch, as I could input the height and width of it easily, after that I trace it using the pen tool, and make sure that it is 0.5pt. 

Fig 1.6, Illustrator process work (week 4, 15/10/2025)

After feedback (refer to week 5 feedback), I made changes on the die line. Shown below is the final result of the die line I used for the laser cutting machine, and because the laser cutting machine couldn't do the folding lines, I deleted the folding lines in the Illustrator file and fold it myself.

Fig 1.7, Illustrator process work (week 5, 21/10/2025)

Fig 1.8, Final measurements (week 5, 21/10/2025)

After that I began input the file into the machine for it to cut. 

 

Fig 1.9, Laser cutting (week 5, 21/10/2025)

I laser cut on mainly 2 different type of cardboard to know which one works best for the inner tray. I also used 2 different designs for the inner tray to see which one works best. The first few attempts was a failure as the width tray was too small.

Fig 1.10, Failed attempt (week 5, 21/10/2025)

Fig 1.11, Laser cutting (week 5, 21/10/2025)

I decided to go with the thinner cardboard and the same design I used in Fig 1.7. After that I began to fold the main cardboard. It a while to get the measurements just right, and a few trips to the laser cutting room, as the height of the handle needs to be just right for it to be pushed down when opened, a different in just 1mm will make the opening awkward and weird.

Fig 1.12, Laser cutting (week 5, 21/10/2025)

I then do some finishing by gluing the inner tray to the box and a thin layer of plastic for the window. Shown below are the pictures of the finished product.

 

Fig 1.13, Final product (week 5, 21/10/2025)

Fig 1.14, Final product (week 5, 21/10/2025)

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Feedback

Week 5: 

• Specific feedback: In this week there was no class, however there was a demonstration on how to use the laser cutting machine. I was given feedback to use the thinner cardboard, and make spaces in the die line to allow some room for folding the cardboard later on. 

Week 4: 

• Specific feedback: Go with either sketch 1 or sketch 4. Sketch 4 could be suitable however, the sides of the cardboard might not be strong enough to last long or to carry it. Try to think of an alternative to both display and carry it, if not then just go on with sketch no 1. In sketch no 1, make sure that the handle is not too big or too small for your hand.

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Reflections

In this task, I learned a new aspect of design. I learned how a design could also serve as a function to protect a product. In this task I learned a lot on accuracy, as an accurate measurements is needed, I  learned through consultation how we need to make space for the cardboard to fold as it is thick.

I was also reminded time and time again through failures to take the thickness into measurement. I learned this while making the tray, as the first attempt was 1cm too small causing a gap between the tray and the box. However, through out those failure, at the end I was able to make an accurate measurement for the size of the tray which made the product stay in place even when it's laid on the floor (Fig 1.13, middle top picture).