WIP: Dreamy Monsterz: Packaging for a Child’s Nightlight
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Project Type: University Packaging & Pre-Press Assignment
Timeframe: 6 Weeks (Semester 1, 2023)
Team: Solo Project
Objective: To design a branded series of three packaging boxes and an accompanying folded sheet, with a strong identity, CMYK-ready surface graphics, and print-production-ready dielines and specifications. -
Brand & Packaging Designer: Developed the brand identity, dieline-based surface graphics, and print specifications.
Illustrator & Image Maker: Designed three unique monster characters with distinct personalities and colour signatures.
Conceptual Thinker: Created a product that supports emotional development in toddlers through storytelling, interaction, and design. -
Design & Layout: Adobe Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop, Acrobat
Prototyping: Hand assembly with heavy paper mockups (280 gsm)
Research & Planning: Physical prototyping, moodboarding, colour testing
Challenge: The task was to design three connected packaging solutions, each with its own colour signature and unique surface graphics, while adhering to strict die-line constraints and print production standards. The boxes needed to work together as a cohesive set, while serving a distinct, purposeful role.
Opportunity: To create a product and identity that would appeal to children and parents alike, balancing playfulness with emotional reassurance. I saw an opportunity to use design to support early emotional development.
Key Audience Needs:
A friendly, reassuring product that toddlers can emotionally connect with.
Visually distinct boxes that are part of a recognisable family.
Packaging that doubles as a playful collectible (e.g., monsters uniting when stacked).
Research & Discovery
Methods Used:
User Insight: Researched common toddler fears and bedtime routines.
Product Positioning: Looked into night lights, fear-reducing toys, and bedtime comfort objects.
Visual Research: Explored monster tropes in children’s books, animation, and branding.
Key Insights:
Fear of the dark and fear of monsters are two of the most common toddler anxieties.
Reframing monsters as friendly, cute, and protective figures can help reduce fear.
Interactive packaging can support positive bedtime rituals.
Ideation & Design Process
Concept Development:
Created the brand “Monster Night Lights”, with each light represented by a different monster character, designed to protect children at night.
Developed three unique characters (e.g., shy, brave, silly) to suit different toddler personalities.
Designed packaging that connects physically and visually, the backs of the boxes form a full monster group image when stacked.
Key Design Decisions:
Visual Identity: Bright, playful type with hand-drawn energy and bold CMYK graphics.
Surface Graphics: Each box had its monster with unique design details.
Colour System: A signature colour for each monster (e.g., yellow, blue, green) to reflect mood and variation.
Folded Sheet: Included a parent-facing info guide with bedtime tips and mini stories for each monster.
Prototyping & Testing
Validation Methods:
Created hand-assembled box mockups to ensure dieline alignment and surface graphic precision.
Tested how the boxes were visually stacked and interacted.
Reviewed folding sheet for print bleed, overprint, and knockout accuracy.
Key Refinements:
Adjusted monster illustrations to better align across box folds.
Enhanced colour contrast for better print readability.
Modified layout for dieline-safe margins and folding behaviour.
Final Design & Outcome
Final Deliverables:
Three unique dieline-ready packaging boxes, fully CMYK printed and ready for commercial print production.
A double-sided folded sheet featuring bedtime tips, monster bios, and product info.
A cohesive identity system with consistent tone, colour logic, and physical interaction.
Packaging that becomes part of the storytelling experience, promoting emotional growth and confidence.
Reflection & Next Steps
Key Takeaways:
Emotional storytelling can be integrated into packaging design to elevate product value.
Working with dielines and print-ready processes sharpened my attention to detail and real-world production needs.
Prototyping early saved time and revealed key usability insights.
Future Opportunities:
Expand the product range to include plush toys based on each monster character
Develop bedtime storybooks featuring the monsters to help kids overcome fears
Introduce glow-in-the-dark wall decals or night sky projection accessories
Create an interactive mobile app with calming monster animations or bedtime routines