Leveraging AI (MidJourney) in Packaging Design: An Easy Guide for SMEs

When talking with my clients, both as a digital marketing consultant and as a side hustle consultant, I always emphasize the usage of AI. Why? Because it will help both, SMEs, they will be able to do many things with the help of AI. On the other side, freelancer can leverage AI to improve the speed and quality of their work. In this article, I want to talk about the usage of AI in packaging design.

On this occasion, I came across a video from a small YouTube channel that uses AI for packaging design.

The Design Out of the Box Channel recently offered a glimpse into the future of this field by demonstrating the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the design process. This article delves into the detailed methodology used in creating a tea packaging design, showcasing how AI can revolutionize the industry.

Understanding the Basics

The journey began with determining the dimensions of the packaging. Typically, this information is provided by a printer or product development team. However, for educational purposes, resources like Vecteezy, Free Pik, and Template Maker were suggested, although caution was advised regarding their licensing for professional use.

You can read this basic about packaging design, before we dive more about how to create good packaging design for SME.

Identifying Product Requirements

A key aspect of packaging design is understanding the product and its branding needs. This includes considering legal texts, barcodes, nutritional facts, and specific color requirements. These details are usually obtained from a client brief, emphasizing the need for clear communication and understanding of printing specifications, such as the requirement for 300 dots per inch resolution.

Let's say we are making a food packaging design. You need to ask more about the client's food taste. Is it spicy, sour, or any other taste? What are the client's preferences of color? ask as many answers as you can to ensure your packaging design will be good.

Inspiration and Brainstorming

The video highlighted the importance of inspiration and brainstorming in the design process. In this case, the goal was to create a noodle takeaway box with a traditional Asian style. The use of AI was crucial in this phase, where general prompts were given to an AI tool to generate initial ideas, thus sparking creativity and helping refine the vision.

Refining the Prompt with AI Tools

Utilizing tools like Frontmania, an online prompt builder, the designer was able to specify colors, avoid certain elements, and maintain a specific perspective in the design. This step is crucial in guiding the AI to produce more targeted and relevant results.

From Concept to Poster to Packaging

Once a satisfactory style was achieved, the focus shifted from packaging to creating a poster. This approach allowed for a flat design that could be easily transformed onto packaging. The designer experimented with different ideas, using AI-generated assets to composite the final packaging design.

Breaking Down the Design

An interesting step involved breaking the design into pieces for better composition. This wasn't always necessary, but in this instance, the designer used various AI-generated assets to create a cohesive design. Techniques like creating symmetrical elements and incorporating relevant imagery were employed.

Check this packaging design templates from Vecteezy

Manual Editing and Final Touches

Despite the heavy reliance on AI, manual editing played a crucial role. Adjustments, selections, and masks were applied, demonstrating that AI is a tool to augment rather than replace human creativity and skill. The designer's proficiency in Photoshop, despite being a relatively new user, was evident in the nuanced adjustments made.

Typography and Legal Aspects

The use of Illustrator for typography highlighted the need for sharp, vector-based text in packaging. This stage also considered the addition of legal tags and icons, underscoring the importance of compliance with regulations.

Client Collaboration and Print Testing

The final stage involved collaboration with the product development team and the client. Print testing and client feedback were critical to ensure the design met all requirements and expectations.

Tips For SME

Any SME, especially in the food industry, never ever underestimate the power of packaging design. Even if your product is good, but if the look is not right, it is difficult for potential buyers.

Don't judge a book by its cover, but believe me, you will never buy a sealed book that does not have a good cover. That also happens in the product.

There are many ways to get a good designer for your packaging.

1. Contact your friend. This method is quite risky because if you have a conflict with the seller, you will ruin your friendship.
2. Find online by searching on Google, Instagram, or any other social media. It is like finding a needle in a haystack. You will have a difficult time finding real reviews from the buyer. You will find the transaction process is risky. Some service sellers will require first-time buyers or unknown buyers to pay upfront.
3. The easiest way is to find it on Freelancing Platforms such as Fiverr, Upwork, Dribble, 99Designs. It is easy because you will have many choices, you can look at their portfolio, and see buyers' reviews, and your transaction is protected by escrow which is the platform itself. Of course, it is not the cheapest method, because both buyer and seller will need to pay a fee to the platform. However, it is the safest and most guaranteed method. You can try.

And here is the video, so you can check it yourself.

If you are a graphic designer, this packaging design service is a good opportunity for you to do a side hustle. It will be difficult for now to use AI for packaging design because it requires much precision work when designing the packaging.

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