One Girl Creative: it's all in the package

as a graphic designer, i am frequently approached about my taste and opinion on specific things in life—color scheme, layout, where should i hang that picture—the list can be endless. but one thing i am never asked is how do i choose a specific product for my home. i'm sure it's under the assumption like the rest of society, that how we choose our favorite product is strictly based on its use which is suitable to each individual's needs.

unfortunately, this is where i differ from the average consumer. i am a little more choosy when it comes to picking my everyday household products, such as shampoo, dishwashing liquid, toothpaste—the possibilities are infinite. how i look at this dilemma is simple—if it looks good out in the open, i'll buy it. regardless of what i choose, the packaging is a huge contributing factor to my ultimate decision. i will even go as far as paying more for a product, as long as the packaging is "cool" and has the right look in my home. to most, this is a foolhardy approach when purchasing an everyday product such as tampons, but for myself—the quintessential artist and designer—i am much more particular.

there are reasons why the product companies go to such lengths to hire expensive—sometimes aloof—advertising agencies to design their next cool package. because they are in search of the few picky consumers like myself, only to fall prey to their beautiful, modern packaging in hopes of owning such a “masterpiece.” considering within each store, there is an overabundance of products to choose from. how does one choose? what better way than with cool packaging to “jump out” at the consumer.

as we know, this is the ultimate goal of a particular product and its advertising affiliates. but the majority of consumers don't care about how the package looks, but simply, how it works. i would say that advertising execs would refer to me as their "ideal consumer." going shopping in search of that ‘perfect’ bottle or box. intoxicated by the superfluous of bright colors on the shelves, looking out at me, wishing i would pick it up, if only for a moment, to appreciate and enjoy.

i immediately place it into my shopping cart beaming as i am en route to the cashier. i have—albeit momentarily—fulfilled my goal.

at times, i admit that occasionally i will have to bend my rules and purchase a plain and simple bathroom cleaner or deodorant, perhaps something a bit more user-friendly, if only for practical purposes. i assure you, they will be hidden out of sight with the rest of the ‘packaging rejects’ to not take away from my bright, polychromatic loft.

pantone colored buttons