PHARMA, HEALTHCARE & COSMETICS: PACK DESIGN
Designing in-between the lines In a sector that lies somewhere between pharma and retail, Duncan Robinson discusses designing for healthcare
The healthcare market is quite distinctive and sits between pharma and retail from the design perspective.
principles such as the quality management and procedures from pharma which are seen as a sound basis for packaging production, along with the speed to market and branding for retail. The healthcare market is far
H
Duncan Robinson is founder and owner of Pillbox Design, pharmaceutical, healthcare and pillbox packaging design agency. For more information, visit
www.pillboxdesign.co.uk.
more diverse then the pharma market, when it comes to the types of product involved, so a good understanding of the background is essential to designing the right pack. Knowledge of the value and quantity of the goods being sold is key as this determines how the product needs to be manufactured and packed.
34 | Packaging Gazette |
PackagingGazette.co.uk
ealthcare can share many packaging manufacturing
VOLUME AND PRICE Large volume (quantity) and possibly low value products will be machine packed and the packaging manufactured in bulk at as high a speed as possible. A sound understanding of the manufacturing processes is essential to design the packaging. Many pack designs follow a standard formula that fit this process. The skill of the designer is to push the boundaries of the machinery a little bit further to enable a different look pack to be manufactured and packed. This can involve adapting the machinery or known technology to add different features. Efficient use of materials and
knowledge of machine packaging performance is essential for good design in any sector, but especially here. Medium volume products can be much more complex in terms of
design. These designs could be hand packed or a combination of machine loading and hand finishing. The pack manufacturing process can also be more complex and slower. A good designer has to understand the manufacturing process and work with the factory to ensure the design can run through the machines efficiently, often requiring a bit of nerve and negotiating skill. Lower volume high value
packs will be hand packed and potentially hand finished with hand applied features such as closures. These may be seasonal gift packs with combinations of products. The aesthetics and functionality of the pack are the key ingredients for good design. Often these packs incorporate different materials and textures to enhance the value and improve shelf stand out at the retailers. This can provide challenges, sourcing the right
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52