Nineteenth International Conference on Design Principles & Practices

Abstract

This poster highlights projects from the interdisciplinary packaging design course of fourth year undergraduates in industrial and graphic design. The course integrates principles of design, engineering, sustainability, and marketing to equip students with the skills needed to create innovative and functional packaging solutions. The course bridges the gap between creative design and practical applications, providing students with a holistic understanding of the packaging lifecycle—from material selection to production, branding, and end-of-life considerations. Students work in cross-disciplinary teams, combining their expertise in graphic design and industrial design to develop packaging solutions that are visually communicative, structurally innovative, ecologically responsible, and which address the problem presented by the industry sponsor. The curriculum emphasizes the importance of interpersonal communication and teamwork strategies, empathy for the other discipline, utilization of the design thinking process, and the creation of a wide variety of concepts before refining and testing a final concept that is presented to the industry sponsor. The competitive environment echoes professional design practice. The industry sponsor provides feedback that is based on professional expectations, providing valuable preparation for the workforce. The course highlights the economic impact of packaging decisions, considering factors such as cost, marketability, and consumer behavior. By engaging with industry professionals and hands-on projects, students develop a comprehensive skill set that prepares them for careers in packaging design, product development, marketing, and sustainability. This interdisciplinary approach fosters creativity, problem-solving, and critical thinking, enabling students to design packaging that meets functional and aesthetic goals and aligns with broader environmental and societal values.