How can I use design in my business?
How you can use graphic design and packaging design
Graphic design is the process of using words, images, colours and messages to communicate ideas and important business information.
Using graphic design
You can use graphic design for anything from annual reports to large-scale advertising or banners. It can help you to communicate and connect with your customers, and influence how they see your business, product or brand.
Graphic designers can help:
create a memorable brand identity for your business or products
strengthen your business' position within its industry
set you apart from your competitors
promote your business and its offerings to different audiences
increase sales through better advertising
Common uses of graphic design in business
Graphic designers can help on a range projects, including:
websites
marketing materials (eg brochures and product sales sheets)
business cards
flyers
annual reports
logos
signage
Using packaging designThe main function of packaging is to sell the product at its point of purchase. It’s important to think carefully about how your products are packaged. In particular, you should think about:the structural design of your packaging - eg how it can help advertise your product, and make it more recognisable and practical for the stockists, customers, etcthe functional design of your packaging - eg how it can protect your product during delivery to shops, customers and beyondConsider if combining the two would offer your business more value. For example, retail-ready packaging is designed to protect your product during transport to shops, but it can also be easily opened and put onto the shelf - where it becomes part display case, part dispensing aid.Sustainable packagingThe use of 'green' packaging is on the rise, with consumers demanding more environment-friendly solutions. Designers can help you develop sustainable packaging, making it more attractive to potential customers.When deciding on your packaging needs, think about:how far your product has to travel from its source to its point of purchasehow many products can be shipped per pallethow your product's full lifecycle impacts on the environment, from its initial packaging to the point of sale, use by the customer and finally to its disposal
