Pixel Productions Inc Graphic Design & Packaging Blog

Designing for Brand Identity Means Asking the Right Questions . . .

March 10th 2010

Brand identity is probably the most critical element of retail and business design. As a packaging designer you must be able to offer branding services as part of your design services package. Brand identity is the overall graphic representation that people will associate with a company or product. In todays market, competition for customers is fierce, so you can see why a strong brand identity is crucial for companies. Business owners rely on design professionals to invest time into researching, defining, and ultimately building a brand that people can trust. One could say that branding is the foundation of your design and marketing campaign.

For graphic designers who are new to building brand recognition this article will highlight the research process that experienced designers who are successful at building brands will implement in their graphic approach before offering up any directions. When building brands it's not simply a matter of creativity it's a matter of doing the right research.

Whether you're branding a product or a company you will need to put in a good amount of time doing research. Ask yourself some key questions such as;

• What kind of company are you trying to establish a graphic representation for?

• Who are their clients?
• What is the company's target demographic?

• What services do they provide, etc.?

The same applies to product branding. What kind of product is it? Is the product targeted at males or females and what age group? How should the product be associated with the company that is selling the product?

Once you've collected your preliminary data from your initial questions, filter through and analyze your information to really hone in on your target audience. The ultimate goal of branding is to speak directly to your target audience in order to motivate them to action. In order to do this you better be sure that your target market is clearly defined. Establishing your target market means identifying who your audience is specifically. To help you find out who your target audience is exactly ask questions like;

• Where is my audience located geographically?

• What colors should be associated with the product or company?

• Who is my brands direct competition?

• What elements have made my competition successful?

• Who are my competitors targeting?

You can do a large amount of this investigating on line. The more accurately you can assess your target market the more effective your brand will be.

If you spend enough time properly researching answers to your questions you will find that you have provided yourself with a guide to direct your creativity in the design process. Remember, every element of your design is something that will be associated with the business or product you are branding.

These elements should evoke emotion, create a reaction, and will not only define the company but be a part of it for as long as it exists. These may seem like very simple questions, but the trick is making sure that you spend the time to answer them properly. Many graphic design companies throw the term branding around without a true understanding of what that term means or how effective branding is accomplished. A strong brand builds relevance, credibility and establishes trust. A strong brand speaks to your target market - it motivates customers to act. When done correctly it establishes the company or product as an industry leader. By answering a few core questions you will be provided with a system of guides to help direct you when it comes to the actual design process. This is your map to an effective brand.

With Advertising Funds Freezing Up - Packaging Picks Up

March 31, 2009

You may have noticed many businesses are rethinking how they allocate their budgets especially where advertising is concerned. In fact, with economic downturn, people are tightening their wallets and this means spending less on advertising. But advertising comes in many forms and methods of media.

Wondering why? Well, America may be leaning toward more conservative views where spending is concerned, but shopping is still a favorite pastime for many. With so many of todays youth plugged in and online the advertising we have known is coming to an end. However, consumerism continues to flourish and with it the need to attract and engage buyers. Hence, packaging design and development.

Investing in packaging is where many find a necessary shift in their advertising budget must be made. For many, consumer packaging may be the only opportunity to really reach their audience. The container that holds your product is just as important as the contents - often more so. The package is the first thing your customer will see and we all know you don't have long to engage and draw a prospective buyer in. Bottom line, packaging that works equals much more than just a return on investment.

With millions of products in the marketplace all claiming to be the best value for the money and each touting its own brand values, how can your product stand out among the clutter? A company called Pixel Productions Inc. has spent many years researching answers to this very question. The answer is powerful product branding. "Every product or service created, modified or revitalized today faces this question." And every year, new powerful brands emerge in the marketplace to capture strong sales and customer loyalty.

Now Ask yourself; What are my product brands associated with? What images do people associate with my products in their advertising? Is my packaging doing what it's supposed to?

There's a battle for retail positioning and package design may be the only opportunity to secure the almighty sale. Retail sales are a challenge for all, so those not wishing to get lost in the retail jungle are looking to secure a brand identity or package design that's not only "pretty" but effective.

Paul Quinn and Chris London are the owners of Pixel Productions Inc., one of the leading brand design agencies for consumer product companies. Pixel Productions Inc., has been behind the scenes designing, developing and producing some of the most successfully retailing board games as well as retail products ranging from giftware to packaging for cosmetic and electronics. You have probably seen many of their products in stores like Hallmark, Target, and Michaels. Pixel Productions helps companies design, develop and market brands that connect with consumers and deliver results.

Designing the right Packaging for the Retail Environment

August 28th 2009

Today there are more products on the market than ever before giving consumers an abundance of choice and flexibility in what they buy. This is wonderful for the consumer but if you are the owner of one of these many products it can mean facing a serious challenge in getting your product noticed. Don't let people get the wrong idea about your business.

The reason that I say this is there has never been so much competition surrounding product packaging and their competitors. For the companies behind these products, finding ways of gaining and keeping consumer interest has never been harder. So just how do they go about doing this?

Whether you are a new or established business there is one aspect that you need to keep in mind if you are hoping to make your business a success and get your products selling, this is of course your product packaging. Your products' packaging has the job of acting as the face of your business, get it wrong and the people you are trying to reach will be getting the wrong idea about your business. Your product packaging has to speak on behalf of your entire company and with more and more competition appearing on the scene it is vital that your design and brand identity stand out from the rest.

There are a number of considerations to keep in mind when it comes to the concept, design and graphics that you chose to represent your company in the retail environment. For one your product should have consumer appeal; it should be designed with a unique look that allows your product to stand out from the hundreds of other items found on the shelves. I like to compare the retail environment to the Roman colosseum, only it's your product that's battling for survival. Just remember my analogy next time you walk down the cereal isle in your super market. This brings me to my next point; if you want your item to be picked up by the people you are targeting then you need to ensure that the packaging design and all of the information you are trying to convey is designed with your target consumer in mind. Product packaging is so much more than a list of ingredients slapped on a box or bottle, it is the ultimate method of communicating your audience. Only when you completely understand your audience will you be able to provide a product that they want to buy. That is why it's imperative to address this within the design process.

Your target market isn't however the only thing that you need to keep in mind where you're packaging is concerned. Packaging and brand image go hand in hand and your product packaging is a great means of helping to build your brand image. Remember your logo and every element of your design is something that will be associated with your business. These elements will evoke emotion, create a reaction, define and follow your company for as long as it exists. So for this reason you need to ensure you choose something that is a reflection of your brand and business.

It is hard to climb to the top in the retail environment. It is an environment where identity is a key role in the success of a product, which again highlights why design and packaging, is such an important factor. The first and last thing that a consumer will see regarding your product is the packaging itself and it's the main thing that inspires a consumer to make that all important decision to purchase your product.

In package design everything is important, from graphic elements, color and shape through to the images used and the amount of text that you use. When stakes are the success or failure of your product, which is tied to your company name, making sure that you have the right resources is the key to success.

Article by: Pixel Productions Inc., a well established graphic design company ranked top in their field for creative packaging design.

With Advertising Funds Freezing Up - Packaging Picks Up

March 31, 2009

Now Ask yourself; What are my product brands associated with? What images do people associate with my products in their advertising? Is my packaging doing what it's supposed to?

Exciting New Game Release = Fast Game Play and
Fun for the Whole Family

Jun 19, 2009

Gryphon Games has just released their Bookshelf Game Series which includes nine games developed by world renown game designers such as Reiner Knizia designed for fast game play and hours of family fun.

Here are some brief descriptions of each of the nine games starting the series. If you would like to find out more information about these beautifully designed games or you would like to purchase any of them please visit: http://www.pixelproductionsinc.com/gryphon_games.php

Money: Designed by this year's Game of the Year winner Reiner Knizia, Money rules the world! It doesn't matter whether you collect euros, dollars or yen as long as the exchange rate is in your favor. And the more you exchange, the more you can make - if you plan carefully and keep your wits about you. For 3-5 players, this 30 minute game provides an entertaining experience for families and gamers alike. Now published with beautiful new art to help players learn more about the world's great currencies. Price: $21.95

Roll Through the Ages: Build a thriving civilization -- in under an hour! Collect goods, assign workers to build cities and erect monuments, advance your civilization through cultural and scientific developments, but don't forget to harvest enough food to feed your growing population. Grab those dice and Roll Through the Ages! in this addictive and strategic new game from Matt Leacock, the designer of the incredibly popular Pandemic. Roll Through the Ages plays in 30-45 minutes. The game is for 1-4 players, ages 8 and up. Price: $29.95

Gem Dealer: What do the best gem dealers in the world do when their discriminating clients demand the finest of gems for their prized collections? Everything they can - and anything they have to. Gem Dealer is a game of strategy in which players collect priceless gems through a bidding process that involves cunning, calculation and a bit of bluffing. But bidders beware! The risks you take might pay off, or they could cost you a fortune. Gem Dealer combines fun and suspense and daring and luck. But only the shrewdest Gem Dealer of them all will walk away in the end with the winning collection. Price:$24.95

For Sale: Bid and bluff your way to purchase the most valuable real estate for the lowest amount of money. Then turn around and sell those houses (and shacks) for cold hard cash. Be the richest mogul at the end of the game to win this Stefan Dorra classic, which will be released in the Spring of 2009. Considered one of the finest bidding games of all time, For Sale has a devoted following of fans that is about to grow much, much larger. Price:$24.95

High Society: In High Society, count yourself among the most influential and wealthy citizens of the late 19th century. You start with a personal fortune in cash and spend it on ostentatious possessions and shows of status while attempting to avoid disaster. Can you emerge victorious by amassing the greatest collection of possessions while still retaining more of your cash than at least one of your High Society rivals? This quick, multi-faceted game creates a nail-biting auction experience, and one that will surely become a favorite edition for generations of game lovers. Price: $24.95

Incan Gold: Incan Gold is a quick, fun game of bluff and daring in which explorers push their luck while exploring an old Incan temple in search of gold and treasure. In each round, you decide whether to delve deeper into the temple, adding to your riches, or escape with the share you've acquired so far. Every time an explorer braves new territory, more gems and dangers appear. Giant spiders, mummies and fire can cause you to lose everything. Is it worth the risk? You decide. But if you leave, those who remain in the temple may acquire a bigger share of each stash of jewels yet to be found. After five rounds of exploration, whoever has the most treasure is the ultimate explorer and the winner! Price: $24.95

Looting London: Game Players take on the role of an iconic detective to solve the biggest caper of the decade! The culprit is clever, but for the sharp-minded and keen observer, there's no such thing as the perfect crime, and every criminal leaves a trail of clues to follow, no matter how small or well-covered. Follow these clues across the seedy streets of 19th century London, but be alert; the best detectives are rarely led astray! With witnesses to interview, get-away routes to trace and a bevy of clues to sift through, only the finest detective will be able to track down the culprits in order to return the stolen treasures to their rightful locations. Price: $24.95

Birds on a Wire: You've heard the old saying: "Birds of a feather flock together"? Well, the same is true when they gather on wires–that is, before they get zapped and fly away. Players arrange birds into sets on their power lines trying to create the best scoring combinations. But watch out! In this game of migrating birds and zaps, scores go up and down and you never know if your score is the highest until the very end. This game has two sets of rules, one for families with young children (7 and up) and one for more advanced play. This is a delightful game for kids and families that you'll want to play again and again. Price: $24.95

Masters Gallery: In Masters Gallery, the players are art critics and gallery owners. Which player will exert the most influence? Who will best anticipate these changing tastes and opinions, and thus assemble the highest-valued collection of these masterpieces? The cards in this game feature 30 of the most beautiful pieces of art ever created by Van Gogh, Renoir, Monet, Degas and Vermeer. Over the course of four rounds, players use these cards to establish the relative value of each artist's body of work. Unique mechanics and ingenious design make the gameplay unpredictable and even more fun every time you play. Revel in the beauty of Old Masters art, while enjoying the intriguing game of Masters Gallery. Price: $24.95

Pixel Productions Inc., can professionally design board game packaging that's ready for review by major game companies. Whether you are selling the game through your own sales channels or presenting to large distributors, we specialize in board game designs that make a great impact. We invite you to review our Board Game Portfolio. Here you will find some of today's most popular and successfully retailing board games on the market. We're currently working on 5 Brand New board games and we'll be sure to make an announcement on their upcoming release dates..

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