It’s all about the Looks
Posted on 04 July 2007
Yep. It really is. Packaging. That’s what sells the product. It’s what makes the A+ products stick out from the B and C products. Cases in point:
- iPod
- Starbucks
- Ferrero Rocher chocolates
Packaging is what gets the football players and trendy LA clubbers to buy products. i.e. MySpace users. i.e. the mainstream. i.e. almost everyone.
» Enjoy the read? Get free updates by subscribing to geekwhat: 
» Bonus: Check out other posts in the Think category.
» Bonus: Check out other posts in the Think category.
POPULAR
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
July 4th, 2007 at 6:45 pm
Yep, looks really comprise the icing on the cake.
Unfortunately, products like the Sony PS3 were not properly MARKETED or PRICED, despite sleek packaging. As a result, the PS3 is being outsold by the Nintendo Wii 6:1 in Japan.
“Wii would like to play.”
There are so many factors that determine the success of a product, but nevertheless, you are correct - the best products always have top-notch industrial engineers bringing out the best in packaging and design.
July 5th, 2007 at 12:06 am
Looks are either the icing on the cake or that initial lure for me. Usually, it’s the initial lure.
July 5th, 2007 at 1:10 am
Amen Inderjit, very good points, same for me.
Jon, PS3 is fun to play but not to buy. No matter how beautiful the item is, price is always a determining factor for me. $500+ for a system that’ll become obsolete in less than a year? No thanks.
July 5th, 2007 at 3:02 pm
Interesting post…i would say that it greatly depends on the type of product that i’m buying. For me, i will rarely spend much time in physical stores looking at products, i will read reviews online then rarely if i want to try it first, i’ll find somewhere that has one. Online…packing doesn’t really matter.
In fact, i would rather products that didn’t come in any packaging at all! I bought a Sandisk Extreme III SD card which came in a massive box with all sorts of stuff in it…it all went straight to the bin, while the card went into my camera…however, i am very aware that the big, nicely designed box will make it stand out on the shelf. Oh how i yearn for a day when products are purely judged by their capabilities and specifications, not their boxes.
However, on the flip side…iPod’s always make me drool when i see the boxes they come in - mainly because they are minimalistic and very small. i appreciate the fact that Apple don’t waste materials or space on their boxes. I was uber pleased when i realised you can buy Joby tripods with no packaging direct from their website!
July 7th, 2007 at 10:15 am
Fergus, good point about the online shopping. I usually prefer to see things in person before buying though. Apple really knows how to package and market their products, no doubt. I think every company out there can learn a thing or two from Apple, honestly.