We all remember those moments that are a level above the rest. From the handover of that impeccably designed box, to the feeling of excitement building up to that perfect unboxing experience.
These are the moments that make us smile, the ones we cherish. That are ever-lasting in our memories and make us reach for our phone to share on social media.
And we remember them for the right reasons. The contents are pristine, perfectly arranged and the packaging is anything but bland.
But how can you consistently create this joyful experience for your customers, employees or team? We asked our design team at Moo Design for their essential steps for ensuring each unboxing moment is memorable.
HOW TO DESIGN THE PERFECT UNBOXING EXPERIENCE
KNOWING YOUR BRAND AND AUDIENCE
It’s key to really, truly, understand your brand, what makes your brand what it is, what makes your brand stand out from the rest?
Define Your Brand’s Core Values
Begin by identifying what your brand stands for. This involves jotting down a few short, guiding sentences, not writing a detailed narrative. These principles should influence all areas of your business. For example:
– Ben & Jerry’s: Human rights and dignity; Social and economic justice; Environmental protection, restoration and regeneration
– Disney: Fun Family Entertainment
– American Express: We back our customers; We do what’s right; We embrace diversity; We support our communities
Then look at how you are portraying your brand in your visual imagery, voice and tone:
– Develop your brand’s personality – is your brand friendly and approachable? Quirky and outlandish? Professional & sophisticated?
– What’s your brand voice and tone? Do you speak in an informal and fun way or are you more serious and authoritative?
– Choose your logo and colour scheme with care. Ensure they align with your brand’s emotions and values,and convey the passion you’re aiming to evoke.
Understanding Your Audience
Finally you need to understand your audience. What are their pain points and needs? What makes them happy, or sad?
Develop customer avatars. By crafting a profile(s) that represents your ideal customer, you’ll gain insights into how to connect with them on a personal level. Your customer avatar should include:
– Demographic information (name, age, gender, marital status, children, occupation, industry, education, annual income)
– General Interests (do they like music or sports, what hobbies do they have, what brands do they like?)
– Goals & Values – what are their goals and values? What makes them get out of bed in the morning?
– Problems & Challenges – what hurdles do they face – work, family life, skills
– Sources of information – where do they get their information from? Do they consume information and content only on social media, or do they only read a certain publication?
– Benefit – how is their life going to be better, or different, as a result of interacting with our brand?
DESIGNING THE PERFECT PACKAGING
Choosing the right box
– Size is everything – getting the perfect shape and size for your box is key. Think about your delivery process, are you handing it over, shipping it to your customers, or is it a mailbox item?
– Material – The material you select should reflect your brand, is your brand eco-friendly? In which case you’d opt for recycled and sustainably sourced materials
– Durability – think about your packaging use, is your packaging meant to be used as a storage solution – being used time and time again over a set period? Or is it a more simply one-off delivery solution? Could it have an after-life – and be used for an alternative purpose after delivery?
Design a Visually Appealing Exterior
Your packaging is often your customer’s first touchpoint with your brand, and you’ll want to make yours a brand box not a bland box.
Your packaging should powerfully convey your commitment to excellence and product quality. It should be intriguing and exciting, fostering a sense of eagerness upon opening.
Interior Design
– Safe and snug – ensure the interior of your box is properly sized and shaped to securely hold your products. This way, they are proudly displayed and perfectly arranged when opened.
– Soft, luxurious or efficient and clean? Think about the interior look and feel of your packaging, are you using velour or velvet to create a luxurious feel? Or cut-outs for the perfect fitment of your goods? Are your interior materials smooth or rough to the touch?
APPEALING TO THE SENSES
We have more than two senses (sight and touch). Consider adding that extra level to your packaging by engaging other senses, such as including a scent or sound, when the box is opened.
CREATE A PROTOTYPE
Once all your ideas have come together, it’s time to create a prototype to see it in action, and ensure it matches your expectations. It might be that you’ll create a couple of prototypes that focus on different aspects of your brand.
Test these with your team, family friends or a select group of customers, gather their feedback to help you refine the perfect unboxing experience.
ONGOING EVALUATION
Even after the rollout of your chosen packaging design, it’s important to continue gathering feedback. Include feedback forms in your packaging, send out questionnaires or regularly undertake focus groups with your end users. And use this feedback to improve your packaging design and contents.
SUMMARY
It can take a lot to craft that perfect unboxing experience, but it is certainly not impossible. With dedication, effort, and passion, anything is possible.
However, if it seems overwhelming or you lack the time or expertise, our team at Moo Design are here to help. We specialise in redefining brand packaging, creating bespoke boxes that capture your brand essence and enhance your customer experience.
We’ll work closely with you throughout the whole process, from understanding your objectives and brand values, to visualising and mocking up design options for you to approve.
Once agreed, we’ll move into production, where we will hand make your customer box, ensuring exceptional dedication and quality control at every stage.
And, we can design your box to hold whatever you would like to fit inside it. Ensuring that everything is snugly fitted, so it provides an unforgettable experience on opening. And if you’re not sure what to put inside – our team has years of experience and can suggest, and source, a range of quality items for your perfect gift.