By Stacy Saturday, Brand Designer  & Art Director, Stacy Saturday Studio

Coming away with huge inspiration and a hatful of ideas are always the hallmark of a successful visit to a printing or packaging company.

As a London-based brand designer and art director, I am convinced that people need more art in their lives.

With that thought process, I am always looking forward to finding that next nugget of information that will unleash the creative juices to provide top-tier design and packaging solutions that will elevate a brand to the next level.

Sometimes it becomes harder than it seems. And that has nothing to do with the job in hand… more to do with communication, which is key to business success!

From my viewpoint, designers need to be more forward and pose more questions. Don’t be scared if you don’t the technology – push hard for an explanation.

Here are five key questions I would suggest exploring from a design perspective:

1. How can we ensure the packaging tells the brand’s story?
   (Seamlessly translating a brand’s identity into packaging that resonates with its audience)
2. What are the limitations of the printing or packaging process?
   (Understanding the technical constraints and their impact on both structure and aesthetics)
3. What are the costs associated with special finishes or techniques? (Maximising design impact while managing production and material costs effectively)
4. How can we optimise for sustainability without sacrificing creativity? (Balancing environmental responsibility with visually and structurally appealing design)
5. What challenges have you encountered with past designs?
   (Learning from past challenges to avoid common design and production pitfalls)

The fact that I come from a marketing background and have a real interest in printing and packaging makes me even more passionate about the need for effective two-way communication.

But whether you’re a brand owner, printer or designer everybody needs to understand their own limitations and immerse themselves and their customers in a world where the extraordinary and unexpected awaits at every turn.

What are your thoughts? I’d love to hear them. You can contact me on hello@stacysaturday.com  or visit my website www.stacysaturday.com.