For my Advanced Visual Media class, we were challenged to take an outdated or “ugly” package and redesign it. While I don’t think the Handi-Snacks Breadsticks n’ Cheese Package is hideous, I was intrigued by the possibility of creating a cup-like package instead of the plastic cartridge. I was inspired by Yan-Yan, a similar Japanese snack. This project really challenged my knowledge of Illustrator and InDesign, but I’m glad to say that I learned and accomplished a lot. I particularly learned a lot about working with vectors and shapes instead of using freehand drawing, which is my preferred design method.
To create the package, I took apart a Yan-Yan package and scanned it into Illustrator so I could trace its rough shape. Working with a tapered cylinder was the most difficult aspect of this project. All of the graphics I created had to be tapered on the bottom to follow the shape of the package. I used an online tool to generate the Nutritional Facts panel and WhattheFont.com to figure out which fonts to use. I was able to download the Hand-Snacks logo from the internet, then live traced it in Illustrator to make a version I could edit. I made the barcode simple by using a barcode font from dafont.com. All of the other elements of the package I made using the shape tool and pen tool, including the mouse lid. I printed the lid on 100lb glossy cardstock and the label on sticker paper, and I constructed the package using pieces from the dismantled Yan-Yan package and lots of glue.
As part of the assignment, I also created a product design booklet to use in my “pitch” to Handi-Snacks. I used InDesign for most of the layout and content. A notable exceptions are the product packaging itself (made in illustrator, as mentioned above), the product photo (shot by me and edited in Camera Raw), and the print advertisement, which I created in Photoshop using a photo I took myself of my cousin and her son. I used the quick selection tool to cut them out of the original photo and replaced the background with a a cartoon background vector (Kitchen Background by ~kellistrator at deviantArt.com; used with permission). To add an extra touch of whimsy, I used the brush tool and doodled onto the image.