A WebQuest for 9-12th Grade Communications Systems

Designed by
Angela Dudney
Career & Technology - Drafting
AngelaDudney@nisd.net

Congratulations! You just graduated from college with a degree in graphic design. You and 2 of your college classmates are forming your own packaging design firm. Your reputation as up and coming designers is so outstanding that a major company (HHS Industries) has sought you out to design and construct a package for their innovative new product. Because HHS has so much confidence in you and your firm, you have been given two weeks to complete this task.

This important job will require all of your knowledge from drafting as well as research on the elements and principals of design to create a package to be used on store shelves.

You will present your technical drawings and package to your client (me) and a board of consumers (your classmates). Your design, package, and presentation should be professional, as it will also be posted on this site to advertise your company.

During this WebQuest you will…

• Organize into groups of 2 or 3
• Brainstorm as a group and choose a professional name for your design firm.
• Investigate existing packaging design firms to gather ideas.
• Explore this site for definitions and examples of the principles and elements of design.
• Design a package (box)  for a new invention.
• Each group member will sketch ideas for your package including graphics and color. The group will decide on the best idea.
• The group will designate a draftsperson, a template and box designer, and a graphic artist.
• Each person will perform their own tasks as well as work with the group to create a presentation quality box ready to be marketed on store shelves.  The group must use at least 2 of the elements and principals of design.
• All group members will participate in a professional and enthusiastic presentation of your package and drawings to your clients and consumers.
• Each design will be displayed on the Portfolio page of this website .

2. You have been so busy setting up your new company you could probably use a refresher on the components of good  design. Take a look at the link below and make notes and sketches of the information.

3.  Now that you have reviewed what it takes to design a great package, take a moment to check out the competition.  Each group member should explore the links below to see how professional packaging firms market products.  On a separate sheet of paper make note of the following:

What elements and principals of design are used on their packaging? Cite specific examples on specific sites.

In your opinion, which website markets products the best? Why? (package shape or design, color, graphics, etc.)?

Which website doesn't market products as well? Why?

Make sketches of any designs or graphics that you think are cool enough to MODIFY for your package design. All work must be original!

This research should be included with your preliminary sketches when you turn in your final project.

4. Once you have checked out the competition, group roles must be assigned.  Each group should have a draftsperson, a template designer and builder, and a graphic designer.  Look at the following job descriptions and determine which group member is best for the job.

• The draftsperson will take the groups brain storming solution and  draw a technical multiview and isometric presentation of the package including graphics and color on 18 x 24 or 24 X 36 Vellum. Be very careful with your measurements - your product must fit in the box!! The drawings should be scaled to full size or 1/2" = 1". You are responsible for the layout. Use our conventional title block and border and title the page "Packaging Project". Remember to label the views of the drawing and title the pictorial with the product name. You design firm name should be in the space where you would normally put your name.

• The template designer will design and cut out a template to be constructed into your box.  You will be given a 20 x 30 sheet of poster board on which to design the template and cut the pattern. Use the template designs on pages 144-146 in your text book as a guide.  Using elmer's glue, the template designer will also assemble the box after it returns from the graphic design department. You will only be given one sheet of poster board. It would be wise to make a mock up of your template on scrap paper before cutting your presentation board.

• The graphic designer is responsible for drawing all graphics on the template before it goes back to the template designer for assembly.  You may use markers and prisma pencils for the graphics.  The graphics should be a formal representation of the final brainstorming sketch and technical drawing and should include at least 2 of the elements and principles of design.

5.  Now that the owner's roles have been established, HHS industries will give you a prototype of their new invention.  Using the elements and principles of design you are to create a package that best markets this product.

6.  Each group member will sketch ideas for your package including graphics and color. The product name must be recognizable on the package and may be in the form of a logo.  Choose the best design or a combination of ideas to create the best design.  Remember to include the elements and principles of design in your graphics and box shape. Be very careful in dimensioning your package.  The product must fit in the package!

7.  Once you have settled on a final design, each group member should begin working on their respective jobs.  The template designer and graphics designer may want to assist one another.

8.  All group members will present the  package and final drawing to your client and consumers.  This presentation should be professional and enthusiastic.  Be sure to introduce your company and explain why you chose the colors and design elements you used.  Tell us why consumers would buy your package instead of the competition's?

9.  Finally, each group will take a digital photograph of the technical drawing and the final box and place it on the portfolio page of this site to "advertise" your design.

 

Possible Points for  a perfect presentation	A         You’re a millionaire!- Your design was a hit!	B You’re on the road to success!	C You’re on the right track…	D Needs Improvement	F Back to the old drawing board!
15 points	You presented your client an original, creative, outstanding design for the product.	You presented your client an original design for the product.	You presented your client with a design for the product.	You presented your client with a design for the product.	You presented your client with a design for the product.
15 points	The product name  was present and discernable. Used at least 2 principles or elements of design.	The product name was present and discernable.Used at least 2 principles or elements of design.	The product name was present.Used at least 1 principle or element of design.	The product name or logo was not present. Used at least 1 principles or elements of design.	The product name  was not present. Did not use the principles or elements of design.
20 points	Drawings  are extremely neat  and accurate with excellent line quality, correct dimensions, and title block information.	Drawings are extremely neat and accurate with good line quality, correct dimensions, and title block information.	Drawings were neat but with some inaccuracy. Line weight and/or line quality was lacking.	Drawings were not neat and /or were inaccurate with poor line weights or line quality.	Drawings were not neat or inaccurate. Drawings had  poor line weights or line quality.
15 points	Your presentation was professional and enthusiastic.  Proved why your design would sell the product or best identifies the product.	You presentation was professional but needed more enthusiasm.	Your presentation did not sell your design. Enthusiastic but needed better explanation of your design decisions.	Your presentation did not sell your design.  Needed more enthusiasm or a better explanation of your design decisions.	Your presentation was unprofessional.  Try to be more enthusiastic and mention the design decisions you made.
10 points	All preliminary sketches, research,  and notes were included.	All preliminary sketches, research, and notes were included.	Some preliminary research, notes and sketches were missing.	Missing some preliminary research, notes or sketches.	Missing research notes and sketches.
10 points	The product fits in the box.	The product fits in the box.	The product fits in the box.	The product fits in the box.	The product fits in the box.
15 points 100 points	Each group member will give themself and their partners a participation grade.	Give yourself and your partners a grade from 1- 5 possible points.	5 -  excellent 4 - good 3 - fair 2 - poor 1 - very little effort 0 - showed up to class

 
 
 

Through this activity you have put your drafting and sketching skills to work much like real graphic and package designers.  You have learned how the elements and principals of design are used to create marketable packages.
What was most enjoyable about this lesson?
What was least enjoyable?
What new information did you learn about package design?
Please turn in your responses to these questions along with your other research.
 

Johnson, Charles D. (1992). Communication Systems, TheGoodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.
Graphics for the Elements and Principles of design provided by www.artlex.com
 

Student Work:
(all files are Adobe Acrobat .pdf )
Bonified Chew Toy
Bubble Bomber
Chef Bob
Dr. Nematoad
Eye @ The Opera
Mr. Dispenso
Ring Fighters
Secret Service
Snot Shooter
Travelling Cup Holder
Ultimate Night Light 2000
What a Face
XRAY
Zhare