The ABC of Packaging Design: Custom Mock-ups

Class Trailer

Skill Level: Designers at any level

No. of Students: 900+

Class Length: 1 hour 12 minutes

Software Required: Adobe Photoshop + Adobe Illustrator

Let’s make your packaging projects look realistic!

In the class you will learn four different mock-up techniques, from quick and easy solutions to building your own bespoke mock-up library.

You’ll learn what are mock-ups and why they’re so important, we’ll also go over at which stage of your workflow you should start thinking about mock-ups.

What we’ll cover:

→ What mock-ups are is and why they’re so important

→ Lighting and composition in relation to mock-up scenes

→ Four different mock-up techniques that you’ll be able to choose from based on the time you have on your hands, the type of project, etc

Who is this class for?

Whether if you’ve just started your design journey and you want to learn about mock-ups, why they’re so important and how to create them, or if you’re a more experienced designer and want to level-up your mock-up game for your next client presentation!

You will learn four different mock-up techniques:

First technique: Adobe Photoshop

For this technique we will be creating a very simple three quarter view of a popsicle box; we will create this box from scratch in Adobe Photoshop & in Adobe Dimension. We’ll do it in two different software so you can see which one works best for you!

Second technique: Online Mock-Ups

For this technique we will be using an online mock-up of a PET bottle; we will go through online versus paid mock-ups and understand all their layers. We will create a bottle for kale juice!

Third technique: Stock Imagery

For this project we will use stock imagery to create super realistic mock-ups! We will create multiple mock-ups using multiple images from the same shoot a beauty brand serum.

Fourth technique: Bespoke Mock-Up Library

For this project we will build our own photography studio and shoot unique compositions!

We will shoot one composition and use it for two very different projects; a playful ice-cream brand and a more premium body souffle.

Resources

• The workbook with all the key principles can be found here.

• First technique's files: The Illustrator file of the popsicle packaging can be downloaded here.

• Second Technique’s files: If you’d like to use the same mock-up Yellow Images you can buy it from here; if not these are a couple of free alternatives  option 1, option 2, option 3.

• Third Technique’s files: These are the images used image 1, image 2 and image 3. More images from the same shoot/collection can be found here.

• Fourth Technique’s files: The designs used can be found here. 

Deliverables

By the end of the class you should have at least four finalised mock-ups, one or two for the first technique, one for the second technique, one (or as many as you like!) for the third technique and last but not least two for the fourth technique.

Make sure to share your progress, questions, challenges and of course your final mock-ups in the project's gallery, I'd love to see what you come up with and what type of products you'll create mock-ups for!