Episodes

The number one rated plastics material expert, Dr. Chris DeArmitt talks about his research on plastic and plastic packaging waste. We discuss how to reduce waste, recycle more packaging, and what questions to ask when considering paper over plastics. According to Chris, his research shows that plastic is the greenest material available for most cases. Listen and you be the judge. This episode is a real game-changer, everything you thought you knew might not be as you expect when you follow...

NOTPLA is a seaweed based material used for packaging liquids and now is being turned into heatsealable films that are completely biodegradable and edible. The zero plastics movement is growing and NOTPla is helping the packaging industry look at new ways to develop materials and packagign that does not look like anything we've ever seen. Pierre Paslier is the co-founder and CEO of NOTPla, join us as we learn what NOTPla is doing now, that verticals it serves, and what is in the pipeline f...

Why did McDonald's need a packaging redesign, what was being solved, or how long ago did this project kick-off? we get into the details with Matt Sia, Creative Director at Pearlfisher. We discuss Matt's sketching, the pitch meeting, how the designers are presented, and really what it feels like to overhaul one of the biggest brands on earth. The good and the bad. In this episode you get to here it straight from the Creative Director behind the McDonald's packaging redesign, so tune in and gra...

Have you ever wondered how packaging designs and brands navigate timelines And manage all of the moving parts of the complex packaging industry? Have you ever tried to manage your own packaging project from design to manufacturing? Well then you know why project managers are the superstars of the packaging industry. Today we speak with the Project Executioner herself, Megan Gamble a packaging project manager based in Atlanta with clients around the globe. We discuss all of the uns...

A big part in packaging design is selecting materials. Are the materials strong enough, flexible enough, do they produce the right amount of cushion? But beyond the protective properties of packaging, we need packaging to connect with consumers and the fastest way to do that is through touch. Selecting paper is an artform. Selecting paper for its printability, scuff reduction, and texture that can communicate emotion is critical. In Episode #40 of Package Design Unboxd, we speak to Sabine ...

When it comes to packaging design education there are many paths to take and many times we're unclear with where those paths can take you. In this episode we discuss packaging education and the program Gerardo Herrera has built at Art Center College of Design in Pasadena California. Art Center focuses on establishing a solid foundation of design, process, and critical thinking in it's to packaging design. Staffed by professional designers the packaging program walks students through the ba...

When you hear the term circular packaging design or circular economy, many people confuse it to mean recycling. Even though the recycling logo is a möbius loop, the process is generally linear, not circular. In this episode we talk with Paul Foulkes-Arellano founder of Circuthon, founder of the Sustainable Design Alliance, and an advisor at A Plastic Planet. A Plastic Planet as of this recording just helped Unilever's Dove launch their first refillable deodorant packaging. Also check out Paul...

How does packaging impact transportation, warehousing, inventory, finance, IT, Automation, even systems management? Learn how fill-rate, box size, and distribution can make or break your business. We talk to Joe Fernandez, Senior Packaging Engineer @ Vera Bradley about how his team focuses on the business of packaging before making critical decisions. Check out IDPdirect.com for factory direct packaging manufacturing. Connect with Joe Fernandez on LinkedIn Learn more about Vera Bradley ...

Struggling to generate leads, not sure where to go, LinkedIn not doing you any favors? Maybe it's time you gave Tiktok a chance. Today we talk to Cory Connors or CoryGated, as he's known on TikTok. We discuss what the platform actually is, how to set up an account, what type of content performs well, and how to build an audience. By focusing on delivering useful information and educational TikTok posts, Cory has been able to generate a consistent stream of leads for his team at Landsberg Oror...

We've all heard E. Adam Peek host his packaging podcast The People of Packaging, so intros episode we turn the tables and ask him a few questions. Gain a new perspective on the future of packaging, insight into labels and the world of Fortis Solutions, and how Adam is writing the first children's book about packaging. Adam has based his career and life on making one good decision at a time. Thanks to Diecut Templates for sponsoring today's episode: DiecutTemplates.com/UNBOXD Listen to The ...

Interested in sustainable packaging? Learn how to source materials, designers, and manufacturers with Guacamole Airplane's Packaging Supplier's Guide.

What is How to Recycle labeling? We talk to Kelly Cramer, the Lead @ How2Recycle.com, a team that helps packaging designers, brands, and consumers learn how to recycle packaging and share the responsibility of recycling packaging today. This goes counter to what we as consumers have experienced historically, where consumers have had 100% of the responsibility to understand how to separate and recycle packaging. Today, How2Recycle.com communicates how to separate packaging components ...

Dr. Andrew Hurley offers the answer to "Will your packaging design changes deliver a measurable ROI?" His platform Package Insight offers an eye into consumer thoughts, emotions, and how they actually interact with your packaging in a real world environment before you go to market. Do design trends really drive consumer purchasing patterns or are packaging designers allowing their own preferences and biases dictate the results? Thanks to International Direct Packaging for their sponsorship: ID...

Today’s Guests are Chris Cook & Audra Nebolini, ACDs at CBX. Here's what we discuss and what you can learn more about: Packaging design strategy, what it's like in a major brand strategy session Setting benchmarks for success How brands can communicate purpose using design cues on shelf We discuss how you can take a brand like Clorox who previously was seen as an under the sink product with skull and crossbones for its ability to kill everything and creating a 180 degree turn in the consumer...

What do professional designers do when they want to learn something new? They can’t always run off to the fanciest packaging design schools. They look for what fits into their busy lives. Online design education, from YouTube to skill share we search for anything to fill those gaps. But what do you do when it’s something as technical as packaging science? You seek out PackagingSchool.com, an online packaging science educational platform that is licensed through Clemson University. Today’s gue...

Michael Keplinger joins us to discuss the packaging design and brand building strategies it takes to launch a Smashbrand. We'll talk about testing, substrates, print processes, and how to view packaging as a start-up or an established brand. Michael has also launched several of his pwn products bringing that experience to the table when we talk about start-up packaging design and the research you should do before anyone launches a product. Connect with: Michael Keplinger on LinkedIn Smashbra...

Markus Joutsela is a Visual Communications lecturer at Finland's famous Aalto University. Markus also founded the Pack-Age program which takes students from every discipline and combines them to create packaging innovation machines that work with some of the world's biggest brands. Markus and Evelio discuss the types of projects the students collaborate on and how they interact with the brands they work with. We also discuss why there is so much innovation coming from the Nordic region of the wo...

With over 35 years of experience in design and print, we only scratch the surface of Lisa’s experience. But lucky for all of us, Lisa has also launched a print production class online to teach you how to design to print and how to successfully translate package design for printing. We discuss the production process, questions every designer should ask, and how to short cut experience by learning production as part of your design education. Lisa's Print Production class at https://mas...

In episode 26, we discuss everything you need to know in order to begin designing cannabis packaging. Our guest Jared Mirsky is one of the most well-known cannabis brand agents in the game today. He's shared his story about growing cannabis brands with his team all over the world and has worked with some of the most notable names in the game. Whether you're a seasoned packaging designer or just cutting your first box, cannabis if a whole new ballgame. You need to understand the industry and stra...

We speak with Logan Steinfeld, Staples' Manager of Product Design who oversees product development and packaging design to understand not only what packaging guidelines are for, but what they entail. Logan's team recently launched a 300+ page set of packaging guidelines for Coastwide, a facilities solutions company under the Staples umbrella of brands. Learn what's included in these 300 pages, why they are so important and why a brand would invest this much time and effort into such an in-depth ...

1) What is the product and how many skus will there be to start? For example if the product is a pair of sun glasses and it comes in 10 colors, those are 10 SKUs you will be designing packaging for. 2) How Much? What will the product retail for? The retail price is an indicator to how much the brand may invest in the packaging. It also allows you to analyze the appropriate competitive landscape. Having a baseline for retail pricing can help to begin determining materials, processes, and product...

Deon Mixon, like so many other designers of color have experienced being the the only African American designer in a design class, a design agency, and in front of the client. Deon developed DesignEye | The Graphic Design Education Game to introduce youth of color to design as a way to communicate concepts, ideas, and introduce them to the possibilities design creates for your future. Deon: "But one thing I never failed to notice was: (1) I'm one of a very few Black American graphic designers in...

Understanding how Prop 67 impacts your business's packaging design and manufacturing. What it means, and what you need to do including these four things: The name of the manufacturer: 1) The manufacturer, not the reseller, the broker, or the agency that designed it, but the name of the actual manufacturer. This is not an opportunity for your broker to market their brand it’s to provide legal documentation as to where the bag was made. Check your bags, and make sure it’s not promoting a reseller ...

We've all seen those Boxed Water is Better milk cartons, but are they really better? Can they be recycled and how much does that packaging design actually reduce the product's carbon footprint? Find out by listening to the latest episode of Package Design Unboxd. Rob Koenen, CMO of Boxed Water is Better shares a few key stats from the brand as well as the materials used to create the carton and how Boxed Water is looking to the future of sustainability. Contact Boxed Water is Better: he...