Define - Product & Packaging?

Product:

- An article or substance that is manufactured or refined for sale.

- A good idea, method, information, object or service created as a result of a process and serves a need or satisfies a want. it has a combination of tangible and intangible attributes (benefits, features, functions, uses) that a seller offers a buyer for purchase.

- "Definition: A product is the item offered for sale. A product can be a service or an item. It can be physical or in virtual or cyber form. Every product is made at a cost and each is sold at a price. The price that can be charged depends on the market, the quality, the marketing and the segment that is targeted. Each product has a useful life after which it needs replacement, and a life cycle after which it has to be re-invented. In FMCG parlance, a brand can be revamped, re-launched or extended to make it more relevant to the segment and times, often keeping the product almost the same.

Description: A product needs to be relevant: the users must have an immediate use for it. A product needs to be functionally able to do what it is supposed to, and do it with a good quality.
A product needs to be communicated: Users and potential users must know why they need to use it, what benefits they can derive from it, and what it does difference it does to their lives. Advertising and 'brand building' best do this.

A product needs a name: a name that people remember and relate to. A product with a name becomes a brand. It helps it stand out from the clutter of products and names.

A product should be adaptable: with trends, time and change in segments, the product should lend itself to adaptation to make it more relevant and maintain its revenue stream."

- http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/definition/product

Packaging

- process ( such as cleaning, drying, preserving) and materials (such as glass, metal, paper or paperboard, plastic) employed to contain, handle, protect, and/or transport an article. role of packaging is broadening and may include functions such as to attract attention, assist in promotion, provide machine identification. impart essential or additional information, and help in utilisation.

"Packaging is anything used to contain, protect, handle, deliver or present raw materials and processed goods. It includes items such as:

• boxes
• pallets
• crates
• labels
• containers
• tubes and cores
• bags and sacks
• tape and materials for wrapping, binding and tying.

If an item is integrated into packaging and intended to be used and thrown away with it, it is still considered as packaging. For example, a mascara brush which forms part of the container closure would be considered as packaging.

An item is not considered to be packaging if it is either:

• part of a product and is necessary to preserve, contain or support the product during its lifespan and use, eg tea bags and pots for house plants intended to stay with the plant throughout its life
• a disposable item designed to be used at the point of sale which does not fulfil a packaging function, eg drinks stirrers and plastic cutlery."

Successful product?

- article - 'the 5 things product packaging must do'

http://www.forbes.com/sites/onmarketing/2014/07/23/the-five-things-product-packaging-must-do/#68e0ebcb79a1

- (in a nut shell)

- Stand out

- be simple

- past the 5 year old test

- trigger emototional engagement

- Create iconic assests

Considerations for - successful packaging;

- COST
- ENVIRONMENT - eco friendly, recyclable, ethical materials.
- PERSUASIVE DEVICES
- DECORATION
- INNOVATIVE DESIGN - USP?

Market and industries;

- Tertiary and quaternary sector

- private sector

- creative industries - advertising, graphic design & crafts

- education, publish in, health & social work

- wholesale and retail trade

My thoughts/ findings:

(see notebook)

- All this research has definitely got me excited about product and packaging, it would be something i would really like to explore.
why? how?
- like the innovative aspects of design that appeal to me. Also the branding - really promoting something...