Packaging

1. To what extent is packaging important in marketing a product? Give an example of how a package influenced your decision to buy (or not buy) something.
I think packaging is hugely important in the marketing of a product. Even in television ads, the design of the package is often featured so the consumers know what to look for in the stores. Once they get into the store, the package has to be eye-catching enough to stand out from all of the other products displayed around it. Packaging will often influence my decisions to buy or not buy something. For example, if I see a flashy, name brand product for the same price as another, less flashy product, I would buy the cooler looking package.

2. What other products have iconic packaging?
Other products that have iconic packaging are Mac products (specifically ipods), certain types of alcohol, coke products, orbit gum, and cigarettes.

3. What usability issues exist for packaging? Give examples of particularly good or bad packaging from a usability perspective.
Packaging must first and foremost be very visible and eye-catching, while still retaining their simplicity. It must hold the contents of the package efficiently and effectively, while being relatively easy to open/use. Some bad packaging that I have experienced is a sanDisk mp3 player. The package was awkwardly shaped, incredibly hard to open, and not all that eye-catching. It did not fit comfortably in the hand, and was very off-balance. An example of good packaging, is the ipod. It is a simple, mostly black and white box that draws the eye, and tells the user exactly what to expect on the inside.