When it comes to size, it’s been said that:
- It’s not the size of the ship. It’s the motion of the ocean.
- The best things often come in small packages.
- Size doesn’t matter.
- The bigger, the better…
If you judge an item strictly by its size, then any of these observations might be true. It all depends upon the context – what are you really trying to say!?
The Importance of Size in Packaging Design
Any newly engaged female knows that size matters, especially when she’s showing her friends and family her diamond ring. The smallest child in any group receiving their portion of ice cream, chocolate, or jellybeans can also tell you the importance of size.
A bit on the small side himself, Yoda, who trained Jedi knights for over 800 years, knew a little about size: “Size matters not. Look at me. Judge me by my size, do you?”
Game show contestants, too, over the past decades have learned that some of the best prizes come in the small box on the table or the envelope in the host’s pocket. Cash-filled envelopes, dazzling diamonds, or the keys to a new car don’t take up much space. Still, a car could be hiding behind curtain number 3, but so could the largest of zonks.
In matters of product packaging, it’s more than having a basic understanding of size. Other considerations come into play when a company makes final decisions about how it presents its product. Sometimes, the packaging is the product itself.
Product Packaging Strategy in Practice
In 1975, advertising executive Gary Dahl came up with the idea of marketing gray stones from a building supply company as what he considered the perfect pet—a pet rock. For Dahl, packaging was everything. He designed custom cardboard carrying boxes, complete with breathing holes and a straw bed for the “pet.”
Packaging worked. Dahl quickly sold nearly two million units, each one containing a nondescript gray stone that buyers adored, proving how perceived value through packaging design can transform even the simplest product.
Designing for Perceived Value
At Rebox, we understand how the perceived value of a product influences buying decisions. We know how size matters in packaging across different contexts, and when to custom-tailor a product’s overall packaging through brand positioning, labeling, material selection, and the practical application of strategic design.
Our aim is always the same: to ensure your product stands out clearly and confidently when placed next to competing offerings on the shelf. This becomes especially evident when looking at shelf appeal and packaging decisions. To learn more about how Rebox can help with product packaging, brand positioning, or promotional design, feel free to contact us or explore our work.
