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Packaging & Merchandising Design - Final Project

30/11/25 -  4/1/2026 (Week 10 - Week 15)
Anggia Tsani Rachmadiyanti, (0368487)
Packaging & Merchandising Design / MER60104 / Bachelor in Design (Hons) in Creative Media / Taylor's University
Final - Group Project The Merch Drop/ Design Brief #1 Bass Tech Ltd


 Content List: 

  • Instructions & Brief
  • Lecture notes
  • Group progress
  • Final Outcome
  • Feedbacks
  • Reflection

 Module Brief: 


 Project 3 Brief / Instructions: 

After finishing our Project 2 Headphone Box, we had to further expand the brand we chose: "Bass Tech Ltd" by designing a ‘merch drop’ and pitching the concept. The 5 required items for this project are:

One (1) POP (Point-of-Purchase) Display: A freestanding or countertop display designed to hold or showcase your product in a retail environment.

Four (4) Merchandise Items: 
  1. Original branded goods (e.g., apparel, tote bags, tumblers, limited edition collectibles, stationery) that specifically appeal to target audience. Project Workflow & Deliverables
Phase 1: Research & Concepts: 
  • Analyze your Project 2 brand values and packaging aesthetics.
  • Develop 5 concepts that feel like a natural extension of the brand.
  • Goal: Ensure the items are things your target audience would actually buy.
Phase 2: Design & Mock-ups 
  • Design the graphics and structural elements for all 5 items.
  • Create high-quality digital mock-ups. These should be realistic renders that look like professional product photography.
  • Ensure strict visual consistency (colour palette, typography) with your Project 2 packaging. 
Phase 3: Strategy & Presentation
    • Promotional Strategy: Outline specific channels (Social Media, Influencers, Events) and tactics you will use to launch the merchandise.
    • The Pitch: Prepare a slide deck presentation to "sell" your ideas. You will present your designs and strategy in Week 4.

     Lecture Notes: 

     Progress: 



    Group Members:
    1. Anggia Tsani Rachmadiyanti (0368487)
    2. Angelique Svetlana Pekasa (0377365)
    3. Valerius Ethan Wirawan (0372774)
    4. Maria Ashley Sundoko (0372793) - Leader
    5. Caitlin Ong Lynn Dee (0343801)
    Phase 1:

    (Fig. 1.1) - Initial Research & Concepts Phase 1, Week 9 (29/11/2025)

    After referencing back Bass Tech brand values and packaging aesthetic, it guided us to decide how we could expand and which merchandise suited the brand best. We decided to do a tote bag, headphone case, t-shirt, and metal tumbler (as explained in the PDF above). After that, the tasks were delegated in Phase 2.

    Week 10: Phase 2 / Ideation & Sketches
    • In week 10, we split task for each person doing one mockup of our chosen 4 merchandises & the pop up display.
    • We chose 4 merchandises which are: metal tumbler, tote bag, t-shirt and headphone case pouch with zipper.
    • We developed our merchandise from sketching and ideation processes until the digital mockup, while comparing each other’s work to maintain aesthetic design consistency throughout the brand. 
    Delegation of tasks:
      • Ashley: Tote-Bag
      • Angelique: Pop up display
      • Anggia: Metal Tumbler
      • Valerius: T-Shirt
      • Caitlin: Headphone Zip Case
    The followings are our sketches and drafts:

    1) Metal Bottle Tumbler (Anggia):

    As part of a gift set, we often find tumblers as a useful everyday object that can be carried around while maintaining the brand's visibility. Therefore, we designed a metal tumbler, functional for both carrying cold or hot drinks. Here's our initial sketches:

    I first made an outline of a bottle and created many different ideas for the gradient variations and colours of the tumbler. I tried making sure the gradient is the similar and matching gradient colour to our previous headphone box design colour which is blueish, orange, yellow and purple. 

    For the main element, I implemented the same "sound-wave" shape around the bottle as it is what symbolizes our brand most which is about sound and beats. Apart from that I placed the Bass Tech logo and made it small but readable. I played around on the positioning of the wave element and logo so that we can choose on which is the best to continue with, later on for the final. I did not want to make the bottle too decorative as it will look too packed, and we want to importantly emphasize on the sound wave and logo.

    (Fig. 1.2) - Metal Tumbler Sketches, Week 10 (30/11/2025)

    We came up with 2 variations as it matches with our colour theme (orange, blue, purple, yellow) and I started making the mockup design for the bottles:

    (Fig. 1.3) - Metal Tumbler attempt 1, Week 10 (30/11/2025)

    (Fig. 1.4) - Metal Tumbler attempt 1, Week 10 (30/11/2025)

    (Fig. 1.5) - Metal Tumbler attempt 2, Week 10 (30/11/2025)

    (Fig. 1.6) - Metal Tumbler attempt 2, Week 10 (30/11/2025)

    The color gradient appearing vibrant and eye-catching matches with the previous packaging design from the previous project. The elements placed on the bottle represent the brand's identity, supported by the placement of the logo on the bottle. Here's the digitized progress:

    (Fig. 1.7) - Metal Tumbler Digitize Attempts, Week 12 (6/12/2025)

    The two attempts above successfully carry the brand identity. However, attempt #1 was picked as it represents a more minimalistic and eye-catching look, keeping the design minimalist and aligning with the role of a merchandise item too. Here's the final outcome:

    (Fig. 1.8) - Metal Tumbler Final Outcome, Week 12 (6/12/2025)

    The bottle design is made to be easily accessible and carried everywhere with the chosen handle bottle cap, while keeping the brand identity visible in public as it helps with brand recognition as well.


    2) T-Shirt (Valerius)

    For the fashion expansion of the brand's merchandise, t-shirts were chosen for one of our merchandise to fit the aesthetic of the youth audience, particularly graphic t-shirt designs popular among Gen Z fashion. Here we aimed the design for a daily casual outfit that fits and blends easily in the crowd while keeping the aesthetic and brand's visibility. Here's the initial sketch ideas:

    (Fig. 2.1) - T-shirt Sketches, Week 10 (30/11/2025)

    After Week 11 consultation, we incorporated the idea as we came up with a minimalist graphic t-shirt while carrying the elements that represent the brand identity. As for the t-shirt material, due to the minimalistic elements, cotton material is suitable especially to support comfort as well. Here's the digitized progress:

    (Fig. 2.2) - T-Shirts Digitize Attempts, Week 12 (8/12/2025)

    To add the gradient as part of the design direction, the colors were added within the shape of the sound element to keep the design minimalistic while still carrying the aesthetic of the brand. Here's the final outcome: 

    (Fig. 2.3) - T-Shirt Final Outcome, Week 13 (19/12/2025)

    The idea here is to hand out the t-shirt as part of a gift set merchandise while choosing a comfortable material with a minimalistic design to ensure the targeted audience wears it in their daily lives and create a cost-effective promotional strategy.

    3) Headphone Zipper Pouch Case (Caitlin)

    Caitlin worked on designing the headphone zipper pouch case. This was the reference image and her inspiration & sketches:

    (Fig. 3.1) - Headphone case reference

    Supporting the security of the headphone while being carried, we made a headphone case where it is able to fit the headphone in a secure and protected place along with the charger too. Here's the initial sketches:

    (Fig. 3.2) - Headphone Case Sketches, Week 10 (30/11/2025)

    After Week 11 consultation, the chosen idea was the second one due to its minimalistic design and alignment with the design direction while keeping the elements visible too. The design on the inside of the case is made compact as it is able to fit the headphone (p.s. it's not a foldable headphone) while leaving the empty space to fit the pouch perfectly for the charger. Here's the digitized progress:

    (Fig. 3.3) - Headphone Case Digitize Attempts, Week 12 (14/12/2025)

    The color was tweaked  and edited more to fit the color scheme direction from the initial mood board. Here's the final outcome:

    (Fig. 3.4) - Headphone Case Final Outcome, Week 13 (20/12/2025)

    Due to the chosen material, the thick and matte finish of the case resulted in a slightly different color outcome. However, it's very common to have a slight change of color in the final execution. Therefore, this wasn't a big issue as long as the design direction was aligned with other merchandise and the brand guidelines.

    (Fig. 3.5) - Headphone Case Final Outcome, Week 13 (20/12/2025)
    4) Tote-Bag (Ashley)

    The tote bag is designed not only to carry its identity, but also to fit the purpose for the targeted youth users as part of a useful everyday design, while keeping the design direction and also to store the headphone when people buy them. Here's the tote bag sketch design:

    (Fig. 4.1) - Tote Bag Sketches, Week 10 (30/11/2025)

    It's a canvas material tote bag design using a thick material due to the many colors printed on the bag, while keeping the product durable due to the thickness and quality, while being able to hold heavy loads of items as well. All the designs here were approved; once it was digitized, we chose the one most suitable design-wise to fit the box packaging aesthetic. Here's the digitization process:

    (Fig. 4.2) - Tote Bag Digitize Attempts, Week 12 (10/12/2025)

    From the digitization above, we picked attempt #2 while adjusting the color scheme a bit to match it with other merchandise mockups and the size of the Bass Tech logo at the back of the tote bag. To do so, the color saturation was adjusted for the entire bag while referring to more contrast and vibrant colors, while the logo on the back was adjusted to a bigger size to present the brand better, especially considering the brand as a start-up company. The enlarged version of the logo helps with visibility and recognition in public. Here's the final outcome:

    (Fig. 4.3) - Tote Bag Final Outcome, Week 12 (14/12/2025)

    The above, we made an additional tote bag mockup shown with a figure to see how it looks like when it's being carried around.

    5) Pop Up Display (Angelique)

    To make a visually appealing product packaging display, done in the previous project, we made a pop-up display following the design direction of the brand. The pop-up display is designed with the gradient of the color palette, using dark contrast for the background, complete with the visual element of the sound waves and the logo. On the side, we put the brand's tagline. Here's the final outcome:

    (Fig. 5.1) - POP Display Final Outcome, Week 12 (14/12/2025)

    Additionally, this is how it looks with the display packaging visualize in the actual store to see the striking comparison to other products:

    (Fig. 5.2) - Pop Display with the box

    (Fig. 5.3) - POP Display Final Outcome, Week 14 (19/12/2025)

    Week 11 (Phase 3): Promotional Strategy

    As part of a promotional strategy, we created advertising design to promote Bass Tech. Here's the following platform used to boost Bass Tech sells:

    1. Static Road Billboard (Anggia)
     
    To promote the product, the brand focuses on billboard displays placed in high-traffic areas frequently visited or passed through by the target audience (e.g., mall, campus, etc). These locations ensure visibility among them during their daily routines. With the large-scale format allows the vibrant colors and visual, effectively capturing attention for brand recognition. Here's the static billboard final outcome:

    This is a road billboard showing the Bass Tech slogan and headphone with static moving animations and movement.

    (Fig. 6.1) - Static Billboard Final Outcome #1, Week 13 (16/12/2025)

    (Fig. 6.2) - Static Billboard Final Outcome #2, Week 13 (16/12/2025)

    (Fig. 6.3) - Animated Billboard Final Outcome, Week 13 (16/12/2025)

    The purpose of using an animated billboard is to attract attention more effectively than static visuals, especially in high-traffic areas. Motion, light, and color changes help capture the interest of the target audience.

    2. Tech Events (Angelique)
     
    Referencing a pop up market, especially tech related, we created a pop event display below using sketch up. Here's the initial sketches & plan:

    (Fig. 6.4) - Pop-Up Events Sketches, Week 10 (30/11/2025)

    The design copies and immitate a headphone shape. The pop-up event stands are completed with a TV on the back to show product displays and the logo, while in the middle there's a table for the real product display on the spot. Here's our sketch-up progress:

    (Fig. 6.5) - Pop-Up Events in SketchUp, Week 12 (11/12/2025)

    Once the base is finalized, colors were added to elevate the brand's visual identity accordingly following the color scheme and mood board and the visual element used. Here's the digitize progress:

    (Fig. 6.6) - Pop-Up Events in SketchUp, Week 12 (12/12/2025)

    During the first attempt above, the color appeared too desaturated and the elements used weren’t visible due to the blurry effect. To fix it, we adjusted the color saturation and made the elements more visible while still being blended with the overall look. Here's the final outcome:

    (Fig. 6.7) - Pop-Up Events Final Outcome, Week 12 (14/12/2025)

    Lastly, we placed the pop-up booth within a pop-up market setting to visualize how it would appear among the crowd. The vibrant color palette successfully stands out against the surrounding environment, creating an eye-catching and recognizable presence. Here's how it looks like:

    (Fig. 6.8) - Pop-Up Events Final Outcome, Week 12 (14/12/2025)

    Rationale: 

    This event stand is mainly made for electronic conventions that is held indoors. It could be used for tech convention events, an example of a local event is that of Mid Valley's own exhibition place, Mid Valley Exhibition Centre (MVEC). The event stand contains a background with shelves in front of it that resembles and is connected by a headphone, Bass Tech's product. The event stand also contains a minimalistic table which display and highlights the product. It contains a bit of a stage which makes the event stand looks more luxurious.

    Week 12 compiled consultation slide:

    (Fig. 6.9) - Week 12 consultation slide
    3. Social Media (Valerius & Ashley)
     
    To promote the brand to the youth audience, a strong digital media presence helps reach them through algorithms. Therefore, we made a couple of posts that are applicable on social media. The posts represent what the brand can promote and persuade its audience to get to know more about the product. Here's the sketch plan to be applied in the social media posts:

    (Fig. 7.1) - Social Media Sketch Plan, Week 13 (15/12/2025)

    To do so, pictures were taken accordingly by valerisu and then edited to fit the aesthetic as well. Here's the progress:

    (Fig. 7.2) - Raw Images Compilation, Week 13 (15/12/2025)

    With the help of a friend, we were able to take a couple of shots to be applied accordingly based on the initial idea in the sketch plan. Since the pictures were taken around nighttime, the raw images appeared slightly darker with a yellowish tone due to the lighting. Because of that, once we selected the desired pictures, we edited them further to reduce the warm tone and make it more aligned with the color scheme based on the mood board as well.

    To do so, Adobe Lightroom was used to adjust it by curves, saturation, etc. Once it was done, we further compiled them to see the overall layout and composition wise. Here's the final posts in a grid layout:

    (Fig. 7.3) - Photo Editing Progress, Week 13 (15/12/2025)

    (Fig. 7.4) - Social Media Posts, Week 13 (20/12/2025)

    Rationale: Targeting the youth audience, creating these posts and posting them on social media platforms helps boost engagement by introducing the product and how it can be applied in their daily routines. Therefore, the posts appear by using a teenage model that reflects the targeted audience, where he is dressed in casual street style while using the headphone. Relating to teenagers’ interest, we apply the purpose of the headphone by suggesting it accompanies their daily runs or accessorising their outfit. Being relatable helps direct the ads to the targeted audience through interest and algorithm. As for the layout, it reflects an Instagram feed post, therefore we decided to create an account and post it below:

    (Fig. 7.5) - Bass Tech Social Media, Week 13 (20/12/2025)

    Link to Instagram

    After that, we created a mockup for the social media post in mobile view and desktop view. Here's the final outcome:

    (Fig. 7.6) - Social Media Mobile View, Week 13 (20/12/2025)

    (Fig. 7.7) - Social Media Desktop View, Week 13 (20/12/2025)

    Additionally, we created poster ads that can be physically printed or digitally advertised to digital presence. The idea was to help launch its existence toward the targeted audience through social media platforms. Here's the progress:

    (Fig. 7.8) - Posters Progress, Week 13 (20/12/2025)

    Firstly, the poster image were composed using Adobe Photoshop to help edited to desire colors according to the color scheme of the mood board. Once complete, all the images were exported to Adobe Illustrator to create the advertising reflection on the display event rationale where it was mentioned that the product can be promoted through a tech based pop up event (e.g., MVEC). Here's the final outcome:

    (Fig. 7.9) - Advertising Posters, Week 13 (20/12/2025)

    The gradient and vibrant colors create an outstanding poster where it visually intrigues consumers while communicating its existence purposefully to introduce the brand and the product while inviting consumers to join their booth in a pop-up event. The color and the typography used reflect back to the design direction accomplished during the previous project. Therefore, it helps create a sense of consistency and brand identity association.

    Rationale:

    This poster ad is made to gather consumers by promoting it through digital presence such as Instagram story ads. Through algorithms and pop-up ads, it is able to reach out to the targeted audience easier and boost engagement as the post is able to direct them to the social media account made or invite them to go to the physical pop-up event. For further extension, the ads place an urgency by mentioning the brand's merchandise (specially made in our phase 2) as it becomes mutual where consumers are able to receive the brand’s benefit while for the company it becomes a cost-effective marketing strategy as their consumers might be wearing or using their merchandise design applied on everyday objects as part of their daily routine.


    Week 13: Final Slides & Presentation
    • Once all the phases were completed, we create a presentation. Here are all the progress work (including the previous project) compiled in a pitch deck presentation slides:
    • PITCH DECK PRESENTATION - Anggia & Maria Ashley
    • Here all the progress work (including the previous project) compiled in a pitch deck presentation slides: 
    (Fig. 8.1) - Presentation Slides, Week 13 (20/12/2025)
    Final Recorded Group Presentation: 

    (Fig. 8.2) - Presentation Recording, Week 14 (24/12/2025)

    Compiled Merch:

    (Fig. 8.3) - Merchandises & Display Final Compilation (JPEG), Week 13 (21/12/2025)

    (Fig. 8.4) - Merchandises & Display Final Compilation (PDF), Week 13 (20/12/2025)


    Compiled Promotional Strategy:

    (Fig. 8.5) - Promotional Strategy Final Compilation (PDF), Week 13 (20/12/2025)

      Feedbacks:

      Week 11
      Specific Feedback - We showed our final packaging box for the previous project and after that we consulted on how we want to expand it to merchandise by showing our sketch progress. For the tote bag and bottle, both were approved, just a matter of which would be the best when digitized. For the headphone case, it was suggested that the 2nd sketch looked the most aligned, while the T-shirt needed a slight tweak by emphasizing the logo and playing around with composition. Lastly, for the display, it was suggested to create more of a subtle way to promote the headphone product in a pop-up event.
      Week 12
      Specific Feedback -  For our group, we showed our mockup design for the merchandises, The bottle looks good already, however, we need to maintain consistency of the opacity of the waves element in all the merchandises. For the tote bag, make the soundwave more visible. The digitized version of the merchandise, as it was made individually, lacked consistency (especially in color). We needed to play around with opacity, saturation, and curves to increase the vibrant colors while considering the material as well. And the elements applied across the merchandise should remain visible along with the logo.

      Week 13
      Specific Feedback -  We consulted physically as a group and Mr shamsul said it is all good. For the casing we can make it matte material and for the pop display angelique made, we can put the background in a tech event or a store like harvey norman so it looks more realistic. He also said we should have one page with all the merch together. For the billboard, we can also try to make a short animated static one.

      Reflections:

      Experience:
      • For the final group project in the Packaging and Merchandising Design module, we expanded on our previously developed brand concept for a retro, streetwear-focused headphone brand. This phase required us to translate the existing brand identity into a cohesive set of merchandise mockups and a supporting promotional strategy. Building on the packaging box design we had already established helped provide a strong foundation, as the brand’s personality, colour palette, and visual direction were already defined.
      • As a group, we collaborated on designing five merchandise items: a tumbler, tote bag, t-shirt, pop-up display, and headphone case. Each item had to reflect the brand’s retro streetwear aesthetic while remaining functional and commercially realistic. The process involved brainstorming, sketching, refining layouts, and producing digital mockups that could visually communicate how the merchandise would appear in a real retail environment. Working as a team required clear communication and task delegation to ensure design consistency across all outputs.
      Observations:
      • Throughout the project, I observed how crucial brand consistency is when extending a design beyond packaging into merchandise and promotional materials. Even small deviations in colour tones, typography placement, or graphic scale could make the brand appear fragmented. This made us more careful in referencing our brand guidelines and previously designed packaging when developing each merchandise item.
      • Another key observation was how different merchandise surfaces influence design decisions. For example, graphics that worked well on a box design needed to be simplified or resized for items like the t-shirt or tote bag. The pop-up display, in particular, required a stronger visual hierarchy to attract attention in a retail setting, while the headphone case demanded a more minimal and durable approach. These differences highlighted the importance of adapting designs while still maintaining a unified brand identity.
      Findings:
      • From this project, I learned that successful merchandising design is not just about creating visually appealing items, but about ensuring that every design choice aligns with the brand’s personality, values, and target audience. Consistency in colour schemes, typography, and graphic style plays a significant role in strengthening brand recognition and professionalism.
      • I also found that merchandising and promotional strategies must be designed with real-world usage in mind. Practicality, material considerations, and user interaction are just as important as aesthetics. Overall, this project enhanced my understanding of how packaging, merchandise, and promotion work together as a cohesive branding system, and it strengthened my ability to design with both creativity and strategic thinking in mind.
      SEM:

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