Packaging and Merchandising Design Project 2
Packaging and Merchandising Design Project 2
Project 2 / Bass Tech Ltd Wireless Headphones Packaging Design
June 2026
Wang JiHeng / 0378904
Bachelor of Design (Hons) in Creative Media
Packaging and Merchandising Design – Project 2
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Lectures
Instructions
Project 2
Feedback
Reflection
Lectures
Instructions
Project 2
Product Understanding
The product is a non-folding wireless over-ear headphone. Unlike small earbuds, non-folding headphones take up more space and can easily move inside a box if they are not properly secured.
This means the packaging needs to solve two problems at the same time. First, it must create a strong and attractive visual identity for teenagers. Second, it must protect the headphones from impact, pressure, and movement during delivery.
The headphone dimensions were used to guide the packaging size. Extra space was needed for the inner tray, protective edges, charging cable, quick-start guide, and opening structure.
Visual Reference Research
I began by researching colourful headphone packaging aimed at young consumers. The references focused on bright colour systems, clear product photography, bold typography, hanging display structures, and simple retail layouts.
This reference was useful because it uses strong colours and a simple product-focused composition. The packaging feels energetic and suitable for teenagers. It also shows how colour can separate different headphone models within one product family.
The additional references helped me study different packaging approaches. Some designs used a large product image, while others used strong colour blocking, minimal typography, or hanging display structures. These references were not copied directly, but they helped guide the final visual direction.
Initial Visual Direction
At first, the group explored a clean and minimal technology style inspired by Google product packaging. This direction used soft colours, simple layouts, and a calm visual tone.
However, after discussing the project with the lecturer, we realised that this direction looked too mature and not colourful enough for the teenage target audience. The lecturer advised us to create a more vibrant, bold, and youthful design direction.
Lecturer Feedback and Direction Change
The lecturer explained that the design should reflect the brief more clearly. Since teenagers are the main target market, the packaging should feel fun, colourful, lively, and visually confident.
The lecturer also reminded us that the project is not only about visual design. The packaging must protect the non-folding headphones during postage, hold them securely, and clearly display the company logo.
Based on this feedback, we moved away from the earlier minimal direction and developed a more expressive youth audio packaging concept.
Brand Identity Development
The new brand identity was developed for Bass Tech Ltd. The logo uses the letters “BT” in a bold geometric form. The aim was to create a logo that is simple enough to be applied on the packaging, earcups, side panels, and retail display materials.
The final product name is BT Pulse. The name connects the product to sound, rhythm, and bass. It also supports the youthful and music-focused identity of the packaging.
Colour Exploration
The colour direction was developed to create a modern and energetic identity. We explored gradients and high-contrast combinations because these colours are more suitable for teenage users than the earlier muted palette.
The final colour system uses deep navy as the base colour, supported by purple gradients and bright highlights. The darker base creates a premium technology feeling, while the purple gradient adds energy and makes the packaging feel more suitable for teenagers.
Typography and Graphic Style
The typography uses bold sans-serif lettering to create strong visibility on shelf. The product name, logo, and key selling points are designed to be clear from a distance.
The graphic style combines dark technology-inspired backgrounds with purple light effects, product photography, simple icons, and short feature information. This creates a balance between gaming-inspired energy and commercial packaging clarity.
Packaging Structure Research
The packaging structure needed to respond to the main problem of damage during shipping. We selected a folding carton structure with a secure outer box and a separate protective inner tray.
The outer box provides the main printed surface for branding, product information, and retail display. The internal tray is designed to stop the headphones from moving inside the package.
The final packaging concept includes a folding outer carton with cut lines and fold lines. It is designed to be stored flat before use and folded into shape when required. This makes it more practical for storage before posting.
Initial Packaging Sketches
Before creating the digital packaging layout, we developed sketches to explore the box shape, opening method, hanging tab, headphone position, and internal tray layout.
The sketches helped us understand the relationship between the outer carton and the internal protection system. They also helped identify the need for separate spaces for the charging cable and quick-start guide.
Outer Packaging Die-line
Fig 2-14. Bass Tech BT Pulse Outer Packaging Die-line
The outer packaging die-line shows the full flat structure of the box. It includes the front panel, back panel, side panels, top flap, bottom flap, glue areas, cut lines, and fold lines.
The front panel is designed to display the BT logo, product name, large headphone image, and key features. The side and back panels contain product specifications, feature icons, product information, barcode space, and supporting brand messages.
The lecturer reviewed the dieline and confirmed that the overall structure was acceptable. The lecturer also advised that the dotted guide lines should be removed before final printing.
Inner Tray Development
The inner tray is one of the most important parts of the project because the headphones are non-folding and may be damaged during postage. The purpose of the tray is to keep the headphones stable and prevent movement inside the package.
The inner tray uses a three-point support system. The headband is supported in the centre, while the two earcups are held in place by side supports. Separate compartments are included for the USB-C charging cable and quick-start guide.
This structure helps reduce movement during transport and protects the earcups from direct impact against the outer box.
Final Packaging Design
Fig 2-19. Final Bass Tech BT Pulse Packaging System
The final packaging system combines visual identity, protection, usability, and retail presentation. The dark purple and gradient visual style creates a youthful audio-tech identity, while the structure supports the non-folding headphones during postage.
The outer carton provides clear branding and product information, while the internal tray protects the headphones, charging cable, and guide. The packaging is designed to be easy to open, easy to store before shipping, and suitable for retail display.
Feedback
Lecturer Feedback
During the development stage, the lecturer advised the group to move away from a mature and minimal visual direction. The lecturer explained that the design should be more colourful, vibrant, and suitable for teenage users.
The lecturer also confirmed that the outer packaging structure was acceptable. However, the dotted construction lines should be removed before the final print production stage.
Refinement
Based on the feedback, the visual direction was refined through stronger colour contrast, a more energetic gradient system, and a clearer product-focused layout. The packaging was also developed with a more visible logo and a stronger internal protection concept.
Reflection
Experience
This project taught me that packaging design is a combination of visual communication and structural problem-solving. At first, I focused mainly on the visual style of the packaging. However, I later understood that the structure is equally important because the box must protect the product during shipping.
Working on a non-folding headphone product made me think more carefully about scale, internal space, cushioning, and movement. The inner tray became an important part of the project because it directly responds to the problem stated in the brief.
Observation
I observed that teenage product packaging needs a clear visual personality. A design can be colourful and energetic, but it still needs strong hierarchy so that users can quickly understand the brand, product type, and key features.
I also learned that references are useful for identifying visual strategies, but the final design must develop its own brand identity. The JAM, Sony, Urbanears, and other headphone packaging references helped us understand colour, layout, and retail presentation without directly copying them.
Findings
From this project, I found that successful packaging should connect branding, product protection, user experience, and retail display in one complete system.
The final Bass Tech BT Pulse concept uses a bold logo, youthful purple gradient colours, large product imagery, clear feature icons, and a protective internal tray. Together, these elements make the design more suitable for teenagers while still responding to the practical requirements of shipping and storage.
Overall, this project helped me understand how packaging design can move beyond decoration. A well-designed package should protect the product, communicate the brand clearly, support retail display, and create a memorable user experience from the first moment of unboxing.
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