My husband, ever the pragmatist, sighed, “It’s just tissue, honey. It works the same no matter what.” He was referring to my armful of ‘designer’ tissues. Yes, designer tissue! As a graphic designer and writer who specializes in branding and packaging, I should have known better. I fell hook, line, and sinker for clever marketing. But hey, I’m also a consumer, and I’m a sucker for great packaging.
And these were gorgeous! They had a ‘nature lover’ design, a ‘fruity’ design, a ‘woman on the go’ design, and even a ‘kids’ design. I grabbed four of each, a scene reminiscent of an action movie, complete with screaming kids and an exasperated husband trailing behind.
Seriously, the packaging was so appealing that after using the tissues, I carefully cut out the designs and added them to my ‘inspiration’ folder. I’m highly selective about what goes in there, but these packaging designs were exceptional.
This illustrates the power of effective packaging. It’s easy to think, “It’s just packaging! People throw it away. Why invest so much?” Maybe you believe the money would be better spent on product development, faster shipping, or wining and dining clients. That’s your prerogative.
But as a graphic designer and a consumer, I can tell you that investing in compelling packaging matters. The more effort you put into the design, the more likely customers are to stop and notice your product. And when they stop and notice, your chances of making a sale increase dramatically.
Packaging grabs attention. In a sea of competing products, eye-catching packaging is your silent salesperson. It’s your product’s best chance to stand out on the shelf. Once you’ve captured their attention, you’ve won the first battle. So think about it: the power of packaging is undeniable.