Summary

The website content discusses the field of Packaging Science, highlighting the evolution of packaging design, the educational path to a career in this industry, and its significance in consumerism, with an emphasis on the surprising complexity and potential salary of packaging-related professions.

Abstract

The article titled "Did You Know You Can Get a College Degree Designing Boxes?" delves into the intricacies of packaging design, revealing that it is a sophisticated field of study known as Packaging Science. It explains how packaging has evolved from being merely functional to a form of art and marketing, influencing consumer behavior. The author shares a personal anecdote about being captivated by the packaging of a CPU, which led to the discovery of a Bachelor of Science degree specifically focused on packaging. This degree encompasses engineering principles, design aesthetics, and business knowledge, with graduates often securing well-paying positions such as Packaging Engineer, Package Designer, and Packaging Specialist. The piece underscores the importance of packaging in branding and customer experience, noting that the field is recognized through prestigious awards like the MUSE Design Awards, DIELINE Awards, and Pentawards.

Opinions

The author expresses admiration for the aesthetic and functional improvements in packaging design, particularly noting Intel's transition from industrial to more attractive packaging.
There is a hint of humor and nostalgia when the author reflects on the joy of opening packages, likening it to the excitement of receiving gifts as a child.
The article conveys a sense of surprise and fascination about the existence of a dedicated field of study for packaging, suggesting it is an underappreciated yet lucrative career path.
The author acknowledges the complexity of packaging design, emphasizing that it is not merely about creating boxes but involves a blend of engineering, design, and business acumen.
A touch of sarcasm is present when the author speculates on the possible thought processes behind

CAREERS

Did You Know You Can Get a College Degree Designing Boxes?

Consumers get sold on the wow factor that comes with beautiful packaging

Can you guess what came in this beautiful packaging? — Image by author

Consumerism is a thing. I buy lots of things that comes packaged in boxes. I know you do too.

We’ve been spoiled by Amazon and other big retailers. We fire up a browser or an app, and after a click or a tap here, and a day or two later, a box shows up at our front door.

Easy and convenient.

Recently, I decided to build myself a computer. The last time I built one was ten years ago or more. To get my build going, I had to get the necessary components — the motherboard, the memory, CPU and the SSDs.

The parts arrived in their individual packaging all contained in a bigger box with squishy bubble wrap to fill up the spaces. As adults, the joys of tearing into packages never does leave us as it reminds us of getting presents as kids. Even if we know what we ordered and what’s in the big smiley box, it’s fun times ahead!

The packaging for the CPU quickly caught my eye (the featured image above). Intel’s design team created a circular box with a waffle-like pattern. It appeared to be made of solid gold. With a slight twist, it opened to reveal the CPU delicately seated within.

In the past, Intel’s packaging had been much more blocky, bland and simply industrial. It’s refreshing to see them step up their game. At the same time, I thought they went way overboard to design a box for a piece of hardware that once installed, will never see the light of day. I actually couldn’t bear to throw this gold waffle box away. It was just so beautiful.

At that moment, I stopped to think who might have been in charge of designing such a masterpiece.

My first guesses, and my first keywords into Google was something along the lines of “graphic design” and “industrial arts.”

After a few links in, I discovered that there is a whole field of study dedicated to creating boxes and packaging.

Welcome to Packaging Science

Needless to say, I was fascinated by my discovery. I have certainly spent many hours with my kids cobbling together forts out of large cardboard boxes with nothing more than box cutters, duct tape and a little bit of imagination.

I never thought that others would dedicate their careers to making boxes.

There had to be more to it. So, down the rabbit hole I went into the world of Packaging Science.

I learned one can get a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in Packaging Science. It is a four-year course, just like any other BS course.

According to Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), verbatim, from their website, their students will learn:

Engineering: Physics, packaging materials and biopolymers, shock and vibration, packaging for pharmaceuticals and medical products.
Design: Packaging design, protective packaging, product packaging, sustainable packaging.
Business: Packaging for distribution, packaging and the supply chain, packaging regulations, marketing, operations, and communications.

Okay, it’s a bit more than just making boxes.

According to ZipRecruiter, the average national salary is around $70K. Top earners can even exceed $115K per year! Making boxes! That’s almost like getting paid to play with Legos!

The field roughly breaks down into a few possible career options:

Packaging Engineer — someone who designs and creates boxes, containers and packing materials to meet specific criteria for companies and clients
Package Designer — someone who designs the look of the package, including colors and graphics working with clients and marketing departments to maintain brands and market share
Packaging Specialist — someone who specializes on technologies of packaging including adhesives, materials and options for biodegradability in an eco-conscious world

Have you ever had a box that simply stymied you? One that you flipped over and over trying to find the flaps and cutouts? And even when you found them, you had to open them in a certain sequence that just wasn’t intuitive? That would have been the handiwork of the Packaging Engineer.

Maybe the engineer who designed that box was having an off day. Or maybe they used a free stock template that they didn’t bother to test. Or maybe it was a new engineer, fresh out of college making their first box, while the senior engineers looked over their shoulders oohing and aahing fake approvals as part of their hazing.

Or maybe the thought simply was, “We all know they’ll just rip the box open anyway. Do I need to really design something amazing that no one will appreciate?”

Hats off to the Engineers who take pride in their work and design boxes that are ingenious and intuitively easy to open.

I’m going to be the last person to claim to be an Apple fanboy, but I have to admit Apple packaging has always been beautiful, intuitive and inviting.

Recently, even Google’s recent product lines in Pixel and Nest have been very nicely packaged as well. Many other technology and gadget companies have gotten away from simply creating boxy cubes with lids that open.

I learned that “they,” the package designers, even have their own dedicated software of choice. ArtiosCAD seems to be popular with the packaging crowd.

While the degree is a Bachelor of Science, there is inherently an artistic element to creating eye-catching packaging, and the design industry holds prestigious annual awards ceremonies for outstanding creations.

For example, there are the MUSE Design Awards — there is a category for packaging design. That’s just a small section out of a whole awards show.

But then there is also the DIELINE Awards which, according to their website, “celebrates influential design, innovation, big ideas, and pure excellence. For the past 12 years, we have formally recognized the absolute best in packaging design worldwide, bringing awareness to the immense value of well-designed brand packaging and its power to change the world.”

That’s an entire awards event dedicated to packaging design!

Another one is Pentawards. Sixty-four countries have participated in competition vying for best packaging design since 2007.

Clearly, there is a whole world around package design. It’s not as simple as making boxes. It’s not just origami with cardboard and tape.

If I ever meet a Packaging Engineer, I’ll have to try my very hardest not to ask how often they’ve had to think outside of the box when faced with a challenging design task.

I’m sure they’ve never heard that one before.