Packaging Illustration: Create Imaginative Product Designs
A course by Lisa PerrinIllustrator, Hand-Lettering Artist, and Professor
A course by Lisa Perrin, Illustrator, Hand-Lettering Artist, and Professor
Combine hand-lettering and illustration techniques to create unique packaging for any product
Packaging design is an opportunity to make what you want to see in the world and it’s what illustrator and hand-lettering artist Lisa Perrin specializes in. She has worked for clients including Macy’s, Anthropologie, Penguin Random House, and Harper Collins and has had her art recognized by The Society of Illustrators.
In this course, she takes you through the steps involved in creating unique product packaging of your own. Learn to combine your ideas with historical references to create products that stand out on any shelf.
What will you learn in this online course?
14 lessons & 8 downloads
Research and Inspiration
11 minutes, 22 seconds
Ideation and Sketching
14 minutes, 6 seconds
Hand Lettering
13 minutes, 47 seconds
Composition with Grids and Guides
13 minutes, 21 seconds
Refining The Sketch in Photoshop
18 minutes, 28 seconds
Refining The Hand Lettering
7 minutes, 8 seconds
What's included in this course?
Get to know illustrator and hand-lettering artist, Lisa Perrin. She talks you through her career and the work she creates, as well as the people who have inspired her, from artists to fashion designers.
Lisa shares the planning process behind her illustrations. Get familiar with the materials for this course and learn how to choose the right tool for the work you want to create. Discover the history behind illustration and gather images that inspire you while keeping the audience and tone of your project in mind. Use your inspiration to start sketching concepts for a product of your choice. Then, experiment with drawing different letter styles before learning about the composition of your artwork and how it can affect its perception.
Refine your sketch in Photoshop, adjusting features like brightness and contrast before using the Brush tool to add detail and clean up your design. Play with scale and negative space to add interest to your piece. Then, refine your lettering, creating clear guidelines and reducing the opacity for clarity. Learn about the importance of consistency in hand-lettering as well as the spacing between characters. Add color to your artwork in line with the mood you want to convey using color theory as a guide and size your artwork ready for print.
Add the finishing touches like a signature to your piece and learn how to save it in the correct resolution to share online. To finish the course, Lisa offers her advice for posting your work on social media and building a successful Instagram account.
Recommended software & tools for this course
What is this course's project?
Design packaging for a product of your choice using illustration and hand-lettering techniques.
Projects by course students
Who is this online course for?
This course is for anyone interested in illustration and hand-lettering or learning to design product packaging.
Requirements and materials
Basic knowledge of illustration and Adobe Photoshop is recommended.
You will need a pencil and paper, a computer with Adobe Photoshop installed, and access to a scanner or camera. A drawing tablet is optional.
Reviews
- 3 months ago
Curso excepcional, amei demais!
- 8 months ago
This course was so much fun, I loved how the teacher injected little bits of story and humor into her teaching. She has a great attitude and is inspiring!
- 10 months ago
Really interesting course! The teacher is very good at explaining and engaging. She gave me so many ideas, I recommend it!
- 10 months ago
Her passion really comes through in her delivery of the material. I feel inspired and really appreciate the structuring!
- 1 year ago
Corsosuper interessante!
Lisa has worked on over thirty book covers as well as for clients including Macy’s, Anthropologie, Penguin Random House, Harper Collins, Macmillan, The Saturday Evening Post, and Krispy Kreme. Her work has also been recognized by The Society of Illustrators, American Illustration, 3X3 Magazine, and Print Magazine.
Content
- U1
Introduction
- About Me
- Influences
- U2
Process and Planning
- Materials
- Research and Inspiration
- Ideation and Sketching
- Hand Lettering
- Composition with Grids and Guides
- U3
Composition and Design
- Refining The Sketch in Photoshop
- Refining The Hand Lettering
- Understanding Color Theory
- Establishing the Color Palette
- Creating the Final Art
- U4
Finishing the Piece
- Finishing the Piece
- Sharing Your Work
- FP
Final project
- Packaging Illustration: Create Intricate Product Designs
What to expect from a Domestika course
Learn at your own pace
Enjoy learning from home without a set schedule and with an easy-to-follow method. You set your own pace.
Learn from the best professionals
Learn valuable methods and techniques explained by top experts in the creative sector.
Meet expert teachers
Each expert teaches what they do best, with clear guidelines, true passion, and professional insight in every lesson.
Certificates
PLUSIf you're a Plus member, get a custom certificate signed by your teacher for every course. Share it on your portfolio, social media, or wherever you like.
Get front-row seats
Videos of the highest quality, so you don't miss a single detail. With unlimited access, you can watch them as many times as you need to perfect your technique.
Share knowledge and ideas
Ask questions, request feedback, or offer solutions. Share your learning experience with other students in the community who are as passionate about creativity as you are.
Connect with a global creative community
The community is home to millions of people from around the world who are curious and passionate about exploring and expressing their creativity.
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FAQs
Yes, this course is designed for beginners and covers foundational techniques in packaging illustration and hand lettering, making it accessible for those new to the field.
You’ll need a sketchbook, mechanical pencil, eraser, micron pens, brush pen, printer paper, and access to Adobe Photoshop. A scanner or camera for digitizing sketches is also recommended.
You’ll learn how to gather inspiration, create original packaging art, integrate hand lettering, use color theory, refine sketches digitally in Photoshop, and develop your own illustration style.
No prior Photoshop experience is required. The course includes step-by-step guidance for digital refinement and illustration techniques in Photoshop.
The course teaches you to ideate, sketch, compose layouts, integrate hand lettering, apply color studies, and digitally finalize your artwork for print or web, ensuring a professional finish.
Hand lettering is the art of drawing custom letterforms. In packaging design, it adds a unique, crafted touch that enhances the product’s visual identity and appeal.
Yes, the course covers integrating illustration and hand lettering to create cohesive, visually engaging product labels and packaging.