iLife 09: A New Look For Apple Packaging?- MacLife

iLife 09: A New Look For Apple Packaging?

By: The Mac|Life Staff

Apple design DNA isn’t just for products, but for their packaging too.

Anyone remember what kind of box the Lisa came in? Our point exactly. There was a time when Apple product packaging had all the charm of generic cigarette cartons. Today, however, the form and function of Apple packaging matches the panache of the company’s product design - buying and opening a piece of Appleware is an experience in and of itself. So how might Apple skin its products in the future? Using the next version of iLife as a canvas, we asked three local designers to show us some evolutionary paths.

ROBIN DICK: Mac|Life Art Director
We’re going to call this one the “luxe model.” Robin’s case-within-a-case design doesn’t skimp on material, but nonetheless aims for a certain functionality in service of aesthetics. The recycled cardboard shell whispers environmental sympathies, while the colorful, action-packed belly band communicates all that iLife stands for. “It’s a simple, sleek, modern way of giving the consumer a permanent disc case, while duplicating the experience of opening a gift,” Robin says. “The contrast in materials adds a splash of color and vibrancy that attracts the eye.”

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MARK ROSENTHAL: Freelance Designer
The teardrop casing doctored up by former Mac|Life art director Mark Rosenthal references organic models, which Apple has played with since its inception. The packaging hangs from a display like a piece of fruit hanging from a tree, while the disc’s paper-laminate petals (don’t worry, they come off easily) peel back to reveal flower-esque bursts of color. “I wanted something that’s quick and easy to get into, and would be hard to hide from a display perspective,” Mark says. “And part of that was making it pop. And like all Apple packaging, it needed to have a fun-factor thing going for it as well.”

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KATORI DHOJI: Freelance Designer, Unified Design Labs
“This study reverses the trend toward excessive paper and plastic,” Katori says. “Slim it down, make it more eco-friendly.” Her low-profile wonder uses biodegradable plastic, paper, and recyclable rivets, giving iLife ’09 a negligible carbon footprint (all user documentation is stored on the disc itself). Just grab your disc off the Apple Store display - like grabbing a pack of batteries at a drugstore - and off you go. “Most people get their disc home, slip it into their computer, and never deal with the box again. This package recognizes, and runs with, that reality."

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Apple Packaging

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 2007-11-21 11:17.

I still have the box and styrofoam for my 1999 iMac DV, i don't have the heart to throw it out.
Actually, ....i never throw out the boxes !

The first two win

Submitted by Ben (not verified) on Fri, 2007-11-23 07:22.

Robins looks somewhat based off of the traditional Leopard packaging I'm looking at right now sitting on my desk.

Marks looks so unique it screams Apple.

The third one makes is look like it belongs in a clothing store.

Robin's packaging is boring

Submitted by Utzaki (not verified) on Mon, 2007-11-26 03:58.

Robin's packaging is boring and outdated. It's nowhere near attractive nor vibrant that are mentioned in the description.

Mark's packaging is quite unique. Too bad the outer case kills the inner case, which on its own is very interesting.

Katori's concept is real creative, but the final result seems not developed enough.

I think your opinions are

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 2007-12-19 10:58.

I think your opinions are somewhat bias. The third designers packaging all be it eco friendly still looks like something that should be on a display in a Dollar Store or in the isle at your local grocery store. As an avid Mac fan (I still have my Cube...and it works too) I have come to expect a certain level of cool from the people at Mac and package three falls WAY short of that.

Two shoplifter's delights

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 2007-11-26 18:57.

Robin's isn't as exhuberant as iLife is. But at least it doesn't scream "Steal Me!" out loud. The other two are shoplifters' delights.

New packaging idea

Submitted by DisabledTrucker (not verified) on Sun, 2008-01-06 19:08.

I forsee Apple moving from the conventional disk and moving to a USB/Firewire key device that you can just take into any Apple store, pay for the software, and have it loaded onto it in pkg format so when you get home you just open the pkg and either burn the disk yourself or run it from that. In the case of Tiger, (or whatever the next OS is called,) it's loaded as a full install and only takes a matter of a couple minutes to get it. Apple kiosks go up at other places too, such as Wal-Mart, where people can just go and pay for the software and use their own 'keys and have the software instantly loaded onto them. With Apple having a patent on it, Microsoft's not able to follow suit... This keeps Apple's costs down while giving them a new way to make money, the new iKey from Apple. ;)

iLife 09: A New Look For Apple Packaging?

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