This is my example of a poorly design package. This company, Gentle Giant Studios, debuted its business in 2002. They were allowed the use of the Lucas Film license and mainly focused appealing to collector in the convention settings. It is simple in design, with no real use of the box. Simple black box, with a picture in a gold border. It grabs me only for a second to see what the picture is, but looses me just as fast. On the back of the box it is again plain with gold text. The text just telling a little about the company and how their design of the product is made. This was stamped on all the boxes. They had minimal production at 2500 pieces and only sold the product because the pieces were out on display during the convention. People loved the product, but did not have a good way of seeing what they were buying.
After the initial release of the first 6 pieces GG Ltd. wanted to hit a more public scene. They wanted to expand to more collectors than just who were going to the conventions. Plus they started to pick up a few more licensing right from movies such as The Matrix, Harry Potter, and Hellboy. This package is a transition from to original to go into the retail market. Being sold in secondary retailers such as, Tower Records, FAO, and Sam Goody, GG put a little more effort into the packaging. I still believe this is a poor example and so did most of the public. People were not willing to spend the $45-$80 each on a simple package with a couple repeated around the box. There is no real need for similar pictures in that close of a proximity. And still on the back of the box is boring information that has been overly repeated about the company.
Finally, after about 3 years, GG had listened to the public and came up with the great example of packaging. They have used this style for almost 7 years now and have seen production number hit as high as 10,000. With the new package, it makes the product stand out. On the front of the box, they added a display window. This was a huge step going into the right direction. For the first time, buyer could see he product without having to open the packing all up. They use continuity, lines, and contrast. The out laying color being black and the outside of the front being gray, all the information is the focus in th black section. They also have a closure line around the window allowing your focus to stay on the face of the product you see. This is a MONSTER step for all collectors. The face is the most important element of the piece. If the facial features are bad it will prevent people from buying, or vise verse. Along the side they again have the split of background color going through the posed character. On the back, it is no longer the mundane stuff we have been reading over the years, but it is a film shot from a still in the movie. In this text, it explains about the character allowing old collectors to reminisce from the movie and peeking the interest of new ones. All though most of the retail stores they marketed in have gone bankrupt, GG still retails out of comic book shops, conventions, and online retailers. They have become a strong company with loyal followers and picking up new licenses still like Marvel and Zach Snyder's new film, Sucker Punch.
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