What is the difference between Product Design & Packaging Design?

As a manufacturer, you will need to pay attention to a variety of factors before you launch a product to the market. These factors can heavily contribute to the success that you can secure at the end of the day.

Out of the factors that you need to be mindful of, product design and packaging design have received lots of attention.

If you ignore these facts, there is a high possibility for you to run into frustration of not being able to capture the market. Hence, you must pay special attention to product design and package design.

There is a significant difference between product design and package design. You should have a solid understanding of these two. We will share you with important information that you need to know through this article. Hence, you will be able to make informed decisions when you are working with them.

What is product design?

Tangible products that you offer are protected by patents. However, you should still be mindful about product design. That’s because the products that you offer would be eligible for the protection of trademarks. In addition to that, you will need to get the protection for trade dress as well. That’s because you must make sure that all the non-functional design elements are unique from other products available in the market.

Product design is strongly connected with trademark protection. In fact, you need to ensure that the products you offer to the market are significantly different from the others, in terms of both look and feel.

Whenever a new product is found, it is important for the founder to go ahead and apply for a patent. By doing that, you make sure that you are the person who holds the rights for the product. If your product design is a unique one, you will be provided with a patent for that product.

It is also important to understand that such products are protected under trademark law. This protection will only be covering non-functional elements of the product. In other words, it covers mainly the design of the product. You must ensure that the product you manufacture is distinguishable in the market and there aren’t any similar products for it.

In fact, the only aspect of the design related to a product that you can protect with the help of trademark law is the appearance and the feel offered by it. All the other aspects of the product, which are related to the functionality should be covered under the patent law.

You can take a look at Apple for an example. Apple is not in a position to protect the software and the chip design under trademark law. However, they have the ability to protect aspects that are related to the function of the iPhone under patent law.

What is the packaging design?

Now you have a clear understanding of product design. While keeping that in mind, it is also important to understand what is meant by packaging design. Packaging design is mainly used for marketing.

This is where you design the outer package of the product. You are designing it in a unique and interesting manner so that you will be able to grab the attention of potential customers towards what you offer. It is also important to understand that packaging designing is also eligible for trademark protection.

It is possible for you to protect the packaging of a product as well. This can be done along with the non-functional aspects that you can discover in the product as well. As mentioned earlier, the packaging of your products is responsible for helping you to make them appear distinguishable in the markets.

You are not the only manufacturer who is offering the same product to the market. You have to deal with tough competition. Therefore, you need to present what you offer in an eye-catching design. Product packaging comes into play in such a situation.

What are the differences between product design and package design?

When you take a look at the legal aspects, you will not be able to find any major differences in between the two. Assume that you are selling the product that you offer in a unique container. For the time being, assume that it is a shampoo. You will be able to call that container as the package of the product.

When you take a look at the laws that exist in the United States, the Trademark and Patent Office is responsible for granting you permission to use these for your product promotions.

The product is what you have inside the package. It will be the item, which will offer the desired functionality or use to the consumer. You should think about making both those unique. Then you will not have to experience any legal issues when promoting your products to the market. In addition to that, you will be able to ensure a solid place in the market as well.

Similarities between product design and packaging design

You will be able to find lots of similarities between product design and packaging design as well. The biggest similarity out of them is that both of them are dealing with the way how your products look and feel. You will not be able to claim the trademark and copyrights for your product if the design and style elements of your product or package match with another product in the market. This can lead you to legal issues as well.

When you are working on product design and package design, you need to separate what is purely functional from what is purely stylistic. Then you will find it as an easy task to make what you offer unique in the market. It can provide you with the chance to capture the market effectively as well. Hence, you should never ignore these important facts.