When people think about the world of packaging design, the first images that come to mind are often those of stunning visuals, brilliant creativity, and the glamorous end products that make it to store shelves. But behind the eye-catching designs and viral branding moments lies a day-to-day reality that’s as challenging as it is rewarding. Today, we’re pulling back the curtain to share not just the highlight reel but the full, unfiltered journey of a packaging designer—glamour and all.
In this post, I’ll take you through the real-life experiences of working in the packaging design industry. From endless Zoom calls and coffee-fuelled marathons to the unexpected pitfalls of client communications and the old-school charm of print proofs, you’ll get a first hand look at both the shiny and gritty aspects of the job. If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to bring a package design from concept to shelf, this is the inside scoop you won’t want to miss.
A Day in the Life: More Than Just Glamour
It’s easy to get swept up in the allure of creative work—being part of high-profile projects, brainstorming innovative ideas, and seeing your designs become part of iconic brands. But every day in the life of a packaging designer is a mix of creative brilliance and hard work. Let’s dive into some of the less glamorous, yet essential, parts of the job.
The “Can We Make the Logo Bigger?” Dilemma
One of the first hurdles you encounter is the endless debate over logo size. It might sound trivial, but the “can we make the logo bigger?” refrain is a recurring theme in design discussions. This question often sets off a series of debates among team members, clients, and stakeholders. While it might seem like a minor detail, the size, placement, and prominence of a logo can dramatically impact brand recognition and overall design balance.
As a packaging designer, you have to juggle aesthetic appeal with practical constraints. The right logo size is a delicate balance—too big, and it overwhelms the design; too small, and it fails to communicate brand identity effectively. Finding that perfect proportion requires not only a keen eye for design but also the patience to navigate through multiple revisions and differing opinions.
Zoom Meetings That Make Your Jaw Ache
In today’s digital age, meetings have largely migrated to online platforms. Zoom calls are now a staple in the design world, and while they offer the convenience of connecting with clients and teams remotely, they also come with their own set of challenges. Ever found yourself in a video call where you’re forced to overemphasize your reactions because your subtle facial expressions just aren’t coming through? Yep, that’s a common struggle.
These virtual meetings can sometimes feel more draining than inspiring, as the lack of physical presence makes it harder to gauge genuine feedback and build the rapport that often sparks creativity. Yet, they’re a necessary part of the process. Whether you’re pitching a new concept or revising an existing design, the ability to communicate clearly—even if it means exaggerating your expressions—becomes a crucial skill in ensuring that your ideas are understood and appreciated.
Coffee: The Unsung Hero
No discussion about a day in the life of a packaging designer is complete without mentioning the significant role of coffee. It’s not just a beverage; it’s the fuel that powers creativity during those long hours of brainstorming and meticulous design adjustments. More coffee than I care to admit publicly finds its way into every project.
Coffee breaks often serve as the unofficial “think time” where ideas simmer and problems begin to unravel. They provide a brief respite from the digital screen and the demands of constant creative output. Sometimes, the best ideas come not from a structured meeting but from those unplanned moments when you’re taking a sip of coffee and letting your mind wander.
Print, Print, Print: The Old-School Reality
In an era where digital screens dominate every aspect of our lives, packaging design still retains a strong connection to the tangible. The adage “what you see is what you get” is particularly relevant here. While digital mock-ups are invaluable, nothing compares to holding a physical print in your hand.
Working with tangible products means that a lot of the work happens offline. There’s a certain magic in printing a design, feeling the texture of the paper, and seeing how colors translate in real life. Yet, this process can also be a source of frustration. You might have to print countless proofs, adjust color calibrations, and deal with the inevitable discrepancies between digital designs and their physical counterparts.
The reliance on printed materials might seem old-school, but it’s a necessary step in ensuring that the final product lives up to the designer’s vision. This blend of digital and physical work highlights the unique challenges of packaging design—it’s not just about what looks good on a screen, but what feels right in the real world.
The Communication Conundrum
In the fast-paced world of design, keeping track of client communications is both an art and a science. There’s nothing quite like that moment of realization when you remember a client mentioned a critical detail—but you can’t recall if it was through text, email, or even an Instagram DM. The modern work environment, with its barrage of communication channels, can sometimes blur the lines between formal and informal interactions.
This challenge is a common headache. The key is to stay organized and maintain a system that tracks all client interactions, regardless of the medium. It might involve using project management tools, keeping detailed notes, or simply adopting a rigorous follow-up routine. Despite these efforts, miscommunications can and do happen, adding an extra layer of complexity to an already intricate process.
The LinkedIn Connection Requests
Networking is an integral part of the creative industry, and platforms like LinkedIn are teeming with opportunities to connect with potential collaborators, clients, and peers. However, not all connection requests are created equal. It’s frustrating when you receive a request from someone who fails to explain how they can produce value for you, or worse, why you should connect with them at all.
A random connection request, especially from someone promising to boost your online presence without a clear value proposition, often falls flat. It’s not about being dismissive—it's about maintaining a network that genuinely contributes to your professional growth. As much as we want to expand our reach, quality always trumps quantity in the world of professional networking.
The Balancing Act: Embracing Both the Good and the Bad
Despite all the challenges—the endless tweaks to logo sizes, the Zoom fatigue, the reliance on endless cups of coffee, the paper cuts from too many print proofs, and the occasional miscommunication—there’s an undeniable passion that drives packaging designers. The daily grind is balanced by the moments of pure creative triumph. It’s about taking the good with the bad and celebrating the journey as much as the destination.
Celebrating the Wins
Every project comes with its victories, however small. It might be the perfect alignment of elements on a package that finally makes sense after weeks of revisions, or the instant connection you see when a client beams at the final design. These moments of success validate all the hard work, all the challenges, and all the late nights spent refining every detail. They remind us why we fell in love with design in the first place.
Learning from the Struggles
On the flip side, the struggles serve as valuable learning experiences. They push us to refine our processes, improve our communication, and develop a thicker skin. Each miscommunication or design iteration becomes a stepping stone towards better creativity and professionalism. It’s a continuous cycle of trial, error, and growth—a journey that every packaging designer navigates with resilience and determination.
The Joy of Working With Creative Minds
Another aspect that keeps the passion alive is the incredible people we get to work with. Collaborating with fellow designers, creative directors, and clients who share a vision for excellence can be incredibly uplifting. The energy and ideas that come from these interactions often outweigh the challenges. It’s a reminder that while the day-to-day work might be tough, the opportunity to create something meaningful and memorable is what makes it all worthwhile.
Embracing the Reality of the Craft
In an industry often glamorized for its creativity and innovation, it’s important to acknowledge the full spectrum of what it means to be a packaging designer. The glossy final designs that adorn store shelves are the tip of the iceberg—the visible manifestation of countless hours of hard work, collaboration, and perseverance. Behind every stunning package is a story of challenges overcome, lessons learned, and the relentless pursuit of excellence.
Balancing Creativity and Practicality
The journey of a packaging designer is a constant balancing act between creative freedom and practical execution. On one hand, there’s the exhilaration of bringing bold, new ideas to life. On the other, there’s the responsibility of ensuring that these ideas translate into tangible products that meet client expectations and consumer needs. This balance is what sets the packaging design industry apart—it's a field where creativity is married to real-world constraints, and where the art of design is as much about problem-solving as it is about aesthetics.
The Evolution of the Design Process
Over the years, the design process has evolved dramatically. With the advent of digital tools and virtual collaboration platforms, the way we work has transformed. Yet, as much as technology has advanced, some aspects of the process remain deeply rooted in traditional practices. The necessity to print proofs, the tactile experience of paper, and the timeless debate over a logo’s size are all reminders that while technology can enhance our work, the core principles of design remain unchanged.
Future Perspectives: Adapting to a Changing Landscape
Looking forward, the packaging design industry is poised to continue its evolution. With sustainability becoming a central focus, designers are now tasked with creating packaging that is not only visually appealing but also environmentally responsible. This adds yet another layer of complexity to the job, pushing creative professionals to innovate in ways that align with global trends and consumer expectations.
Moreover, as remote work continues to shape the professional landscape, finding new ways to foster genuine connections and effective communication will remain a priority. The lessons learned from navigating the challenges of digital collaboration today will undoubtedly inform the best practices of tomorrow.
The Takeaway: Loving the Job, Despite Its Imperfections
At the end of the day, being a packaging designer is a labor of love. It’s a career where the challenges and the triumphs exist side by side. Yes, there are days filled with the mundane details—whether it’s adjusting that one tiny design element or grappling with the fatigue of back-to-back Zoom calls. But those are the days that make the brilliant moments of creative success shine even brighter.
I love my job—not just for the creative breakthroughs, but for the entire journey that comes with it. The work is demanding, the challenges are real, but the reward is in seeing your ideas transform into physical products that connect with people. It’s about embracing every aspect of the experience: the glamour, the grit, and everything in between.
Final Reflections
As you navigate your own career or simply appreciate the art of packaging design, remember that every stunning design has its story—a story filled with persistence, collaboration, and a relentless pursuit of excellence. The glamorous moments are just the surface. Beneath that lies the true essence of the craft: a blend of creativity and hard work that transforms ideas into tangible expressions of art and function.
For every packaging designer out there, every extra cup of coffee, every frustrating meeting, and every printed proof is a part of a larger narrative that ultimately leads to the creation of something beautiful and meaningful. So here’s to the struggles, the victories, and everything in between. Thank you for joining me on this candid look into the real life of a packaging designer.
What are some of the challenges or triumphs you’ve experienced in your own creative journey? I’d love to hear your thoughts and stories in the comments below. Let’s continue this conversation and celebrate not just the end results but the whole process that brings them to life.
In the world of packaging design, every detail matters—from the size of a logo to the texture of a printed proof. Embrace the journey, enjoy the process, and remember that it’s the blend of both the glamorous and the gritty that truly makes the craft shine.