Designing good packaging is not easy. Not only the end user (usually the consumer) but many other parties use packaging for short or long periods. All these parties set their own specific demands on packaging. A good packaging designer is trying to develop talents to unite all these requirements together in an effective, attractive, responsible and environmentally conscious packaging.

The minor is designed to cover many important aspects of the design of a package. It is not just theory, the practical part offered also gets a lot of attention in the form of a design assignment.  Based on a design brief and supporting colleges this minor provides an intensive introduction and deepening in the field of packaging design.

• Understand the role of a product designer in the development of a package.
• Become familiar with the design process.
• Ability to analyze a product and its environments.
• Understanding packaging materials and packaging processes.

• Understanding various printing techniques for packaging
• Establish a process tree for a package.
• Understand the logistical processes around distribution centers.
• Understand the demands of foods in packaging / packing materials.
• Packaging related mathematics and testing methods (storage, protection from packaging).
• acquire research skills (e.g library, internet and patent database).
• Be able to make a good design and process report.

Students must have completed their first year.

Indication of target group:

Industrial Product Design students who want to specialize in the design of packaging. Students from other programs who want to know more about packaging and designing in relation to their specific areas of interest. These include areas such as retail, food & beverage, specific user groups (elderly, disabled) or commerce and management. 

We use Brightspace for all relevant information and documentation. An extensive literature list is provided. The following books are recommended:

• Rob Thompson: The Manufacturing Guides – Sustainable Materials, Processes and Production (Thames & Hudson)
• Rob Thompson: The Manufacturing Guides – Graphics and Packaging Production (Thames & Hudson)

You will get information about the schedule no later than a week before the start of the minor program. Please send an email to tis-minoren@hhs.nl if you haven't heard anything by then.

Minorbrochure

If you want to know more about other minors at The Hague University of Applied Sciences, view our Minorbrochure.

The final assessment ('Project Assessment') of the minor consists out of two parts

1. Review of all submitted Home Assignments related to the lecture material (*)
2. Design Project Assessment (**)

The final result ('Project Assessment') will be the average of both the above parts where each individual result should be 5,0 or higher on a scale of 1 to 10. 

(*) Review Home Assignments: on the basis of written assignments.

The Home Assignments are written by students individually.

(**) Design Project Assessment: on the basis of submitted report, model, and oral presentation. Within the Design Project, students work in groups.

Handing in of reports takes place in the 9th week of the minor, if necessary a re-examination will take place 10 weeks later.

Teaching methods and study load

Design Education: 32 hours

Lectures: 48 hours

Company visits / excursions: 16 hours

Self-tuition: 228 hours Resit (if applicable): 76 hours

 

Partners

During the minor we work with a company or organization. This party (or parties) provides a draft contract, arranges a tour, takes part in the presentation and / or gives guest lecture. Examples of cooperation partners are: Bakkersland, Bunzl, HAS Den Bosch, International Innovation Company (IIC) and the Netherlands Nutrition Centre.

 

Minimum and maximum participation

Maximum amount of students:   35

 

Miscellaneous

After completing this minor you can start with the minor Sustainable Packaging Design & Innovation (SPDI, block 2 or 4, 15 ects).