I had already completed most of my thumbnails for this project when I read the Randy Mosher profile. Studying typography in one of my previous classes got me really interested in fonts, and Mosher talked about his collection of antique typography and the skill it took to create designs with hand-lettering and presstype. I was reminded that I really do like the style of antique logos and advertising. I think I'm going to try a couple sketches in a vintage style for my project thumbnails. 

 

After the final design is decided upon, the production flat is produced, and the design goes to the printer. I really appreciated the FDA Nutrition Facts how-to, because I used a generic one for my last project. This chapter has a checklist for printer indications, which shows what marks need to be included on the production flat to show the printer where the 3D product will be perforated or where it will be trimmed to. A list of the fonts, exact file names, page sizes and how many there are in total, needs to be submitted to the printer, too. You also need to include your contact information, in case there are any issues. Here is where you need to check and double-check what you submit, and second-guess everything. And then give your printer the option to contact you with absolutely any and all problems or questions. Printing is expensive and you don't want to risk any mistakes. 

Chapter 4 was extremely useful as well. I liked how it went over how to properly create a package mock-up and that it is important to do so to see a to scale design to visualize the final project. I also liked the info graphic for the printer checklist as it will be an easy reference  for how to indicate proper cut and fold lines and much more. I felt the information to include on a production flat was also useful. I did not know that a list of all the exact font names should be included but after reading, it makes sense on why this is important to include as it insures all the correct fonts are used in the printing process. 

A take away from chapter 3 is to use the 3 dimensional package to your advantage. Wrapping an image around a corner entices the viewer to look at more sides of the package. With packaging you are able to create a story through the use of the different panels, a beginning, middle, and end. One way the  designer is able to tell the story by using Gestalts Principles in Visual understanding. These include proximity, similarity, continuation, closure, good form, and figure or ground.

Creating mockups is important because they will help identify problems and concerns in the package design early in the design process. To be sure to catch problems early on the mockup should be true to scale, accurately show the font and images, and show a reasonable placement of elements.  Mock ups also allow the customer to test the structure, see the flow of information, and get a general feel for the piece. Before the packaging goes into production it is important to indicate crop marks, fold and cuts, perforations, and registration marks to ensure the package is made to the designer specifications. A flat mockup will assist the manufacture on how the piece goes to together.