The online retail business is more significant than ever, but you must recognize the importance of good packaging design. It is a crucial element of branding and marketing that needs careful consideration. Why? Eye-catching packaging affects brand awareness, sales, and revenue. Check out this guide to learn what does a packaging designer do. Doing this will help you determine the skills, places to hire, average salary of a packaging designer, and more.  Let’s dive in! 

Table of Contents 

Why Packaging Design Is Important 

The answer is simple: good packaging design is what sells your product. Many new products fail to succeed in the market because the company needs to invest in creating a high-quality brand design. Below are a few things to think about when brainstorming for a packaging design

  • An attractive and unique packaging design will make your product popular, which can translate to increased sales. 
  • Packaging design affects buyers’ perception of the product quality. A study shows that seven out of ten customers decide which product they will buy based on their visual perception. Frequently, the one with a visually appealing design ends up in the shopping cart. 
  • Good packaging design separates you from the competitors. That’s why it should be designed with a targeted audience to help you achieve a shelf impact. 
  • Good packaging design strengthens brand awareness. An easy-to-recognize design will build brand awareness and drive revenue for your brand.

Let’s consider Apple as an example. Apple is renowned for its clean, elegant, simple, and sophisticated qualities, which are prominently displayed in the design of its product packaging. The packaging embodies the brand’s message of “Think different.” It also ensures the product inside is securely protected during transportation despite its minimalist design. 

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What Does a Packaging Designer Do? 

A creative professional packaging designer designs safe, attractive, cost-effective, and sustainable packaging for different products. Packaging designers primarily work as part of an agency or in-house marketing time, collaborating with various creative professionals to create a final product. The primary role of a packaging designer is to understand and implement the design brief given by a client or in-house marketing team. Sometimes, a packaging designer may consider the product the company is selling and plan the appropriate design. This can be done by understanding the market and design trends and then applying them to the product they are working on. 

The core responsibilities of a packaging designer include: 

  • Supervise the design process
  • Present design ideas to clients
  • Work with clients and understand their needs and preferences
  • Study market trends
  • Consider budgeting and the environmental impact of packaging design
  • Improve design based on feedback

What are the Skills of a Packaging Designer? 

Here are the primary skills that a packaging designer should possess: 

  • Keen Attention to Detail. Since plenty of people see a product’s packaging, the designer must have an eye for detail. This skill enables the packaging designer to ensure that the packaging is consistent with brand guidelines, including colors and typography. 
  • Excellent Communication. Verbal communication skills are necessary for packaging designers working with stakeholders such as clients and other creative talents. These skills allow them to communicate well with clients, explain their ideas and design process, and answer questions. 
  • Design skills. Design skills involve the capacity to formulate and execute new designs while considering the latest design trends in the market. By using these skills, packaging designers can craft mockups that meet brand goals while pushing the boundaries of innovation. Design skills include understanding typography, color harmony, and the impact of form on aesthetic appeal.
  • Problem-solving. A packaging designer often encounters challenges involving the design, client requirements, and other underlying factors. Some clients may have goals requiring the packaging designer to think out of the box. These skills help designers look at the project from various perspectives and create an innovative solution supporting client goals and objectives.  
  • IT skills. A packaging designer performs his role using computer-aided design (CAD) and similar tools. Specific software training is necessary to build accurate digital versions of their prototypes. Having extensive IT skills will give a packaging designer an edge over their competitors. 

Where to Hire Packaging Designers

Upwork, Fiverr, Freelancer, and Toptal are four popular websites where you can meet and hire packaging designers. Before working with an agency or individual, you must first understand how these platforms work.

Upwork

The leading freelancing platform allows businesses and individuals to check out packaging designers with the skills to execute their design projects. How does the platform work? It is simple. Upwork connects freelancers with clients seeking various services. Clients post job listings, and freelancers submit proposals to compete.

Fiverr

On Fiverr, clients needing packaging designers can browse listings of designers offering their services. They can review designers’ profiles, portfolios, and ratings before choosing one to hire. Clients then specify their requirements, provide necessary information, and work with the selected designer.

Freelancer.com

On Freelancer.com, clients post packaging design projects with details and budget specifications, and freelancers bid on the projects. Clients then review the bids and profiles of freelancers before selecting one to work with. 

Toptal

Toptal, on the other hand, carefully vets freelance talent and matches clients with top-tier packaging designers based on their specific project needs. Clients can directly interact with the selected designer and manage the project through the Toptal platform.

Work with Penji for Quality Packaging Designs 

An unlimited graphic designer service is one of the most cost-effective options for all your packaging and branding requirements. With a flat monthly rate, you’ll receive unlimited designs and revisions without hidden charges. Instead of searching extensively, Penji offers a solution for developing attractive, cost-effective, and innovative packaging designs. Don’t hesitate to schedule a demo now to explore Penji’s range of services.

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