We're handing the reins to recent graduate Grace Lee, she's interviewing me to find out the answers to the questions every graduate is asking today. How to get hired, how to get noticed, can I even find a job today?

Need help with your packaging? https://www.linkedin.com/in/eveliomattos/ We get into it all. So if you've just graduated, are having a hard time finding a job, sit down, listen up, and let's get to it. Evelio Mattos is an established voice in the packaging design industry with an extensive background, having worked with high-profile brands like Lady Gaga, Barney's New York, Tesla, and Google. His expertise spans across various sectors including fashion, tech, and retail, emphasizing sustainability in packaging. Evelio's rich experience and innovative approach make him a significant figure in the packaging world. Grace Lee is a recent graduate from the prestigious Pratt Institute's Packaging Identities and Systems Design Graduate Program in Brooklyn. With a passion for creative and sustainable design, Grace represents a new wave of designers poised to make impactful contributions to the industry. Episode Summary: In this insightful episode of Packaging Unboxed, host Grace Lee delves into the packaging design industry with the knowledgeable and seasoned Evelio Mattos. Grace, representing the fresh cohort of design graduates, brings forth pressing questions about the industry's dynamics, particularly concerning sustainability, innovation, and the integration of new technology such as AI. Evelio's extensive background and hands-on experience provide rich, practical insights that are invaluable for new designers entering the field. The conversation navigates through key projects and experiences that have shaped Evelio's career, including his initial foray into packaging design and notable collaborations with brands like Lady Gaga and Tesla. Through this episode, listeners gain an understanding of the evolution of packaging design and the critical role it plays in branding and consumer decision-making. Evelio emphasizes the importance of being client-facing and understanding different facets of the industry from procurement to distribution, underscoring the intrinsic relationship between design and business profitability. Key Takeaways: Client Interaction is Crucial: Being client-facing and understanding the nuances of finance, procurement, and distribution can significantly enhance a designer’s value. Importance of AI: Embrace AI as a tool to speed up concept iterations and improve the efficiency of the design workflow. Build a Strong Social Presence: Utilize LinkedIn and other social media platforms to showcase your work and build a professional network. Understanding Sustainability: Ensure your design solutions align with a brand's sustainability goals, recognizing that trade-offs are often necessary. Start Small to Climb Big: Entry-level positions, even those seen as mundane, provide foundational knowledge and opportunities for growth in the design industry. Notable Quotes: "Design is sales. And I think a lot of times designers are like, I'm not a salesperson, I'm a graphic designer, I'm a packaging designer, but your idea is not going to get made if you don't sell it." "You have to get the reps in. You've got to get the reps in for creating these terrible designs. You've got to get the reps in for expanding creative from one size to another size." "Today, people will decide whether they want to hire you or not based on your social. So even before you apply, what's your social tell, you know, what's that say about you?" "The idea of, I graduate now, I want to go work at Pentagram or Landor… you can just work for yourself and just grow your own business from day one." "LinkedIn is the key place. Anything that you have in your portfolio, tying it back to a brand or anybody that you're trying to target, then being able to tag them is what's going to give you the most visibility."

About the Guest(s):

Miguel Arevalo: Miguel Arevalo is a prominent figure in the packaging industry, currently working with Google's packaging team. He has made significant contributions to sustainable packaging solutions and is an advocate for plastic-free packaging. Miguel's work focuses on creating eco-friendly packaging designs that enhance the consumer experience while meeting environmental goals. He has shared his expertise at various industry events and is known for fostering innovation in sustainable materials and processes.

In this episode of Packaging Today, Evelio Mattos, Adam Peek, and Cory Connors host a compelling discussion with Miguel Arevalo from Google's packaging team. As they dive into the world of sustainable packaging, the hosts explore Google's transition to plastic-free packaging, emphasizing eco-friendly practices and innovations. Miguel shares insights on the collaborative efforts that led to this achievement and the importance of making sustainable choices in packaging.

Throughout the episode, core themes such as sustainable packaging solutions, the role of Google Maps and its plastic-free packaging, and the challenges and triumphs of transitioning to eco-friendly materials are discussed. Miguel highlights the importance of creating a memorable unboxing experience while ensuring packaging is easily recyclable. He also discusses how Google leveraged partnerships and technological advancements to achieve their goals. The conversation touches on the broader implications of sustainable packaging for other brands and industries.

• Google's transition to plastic-free packaging involved a collaborative effort and innovative solutions.

• The new packaging focuses on creating a memorable unboxing experience with textures and sounds that emphasize recyclability.

• Google has made their plastic-free packaging guide available for other brands to use, promoting widespread sustainability.

• Advanced sorting technologies and improved materials are crucial for enhancing recyclability and reducing contamination in recycling streams.

• Sustainable packaging requires continuous innovation and collaboration within the industry to achieve progress, not just perfection.

• "Our team does an amazing job to make that work. It takes a village and we have an amazing team." – Miguel Arevalo

• "Consumer convenience is key. Our main goal was to have packaging that can easily be recycled by anyone, anywhere." – Miguel Arevalo

• "We believe that we all are in this boat together. It's about what everyone can be able to do, not just Google." – Miguel Arevalo

• "We aim for progress, not perfection, in our sustainable packaging journey." – Miguel Arevalo

• Google Blog: Plastic-Free Packaging Guide
• Western Michigan University Recycling Testing Center

• Miguel Arevalo on LinkedIn

Get help creating your sustainable packaging: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eveliomat... About the Guest(s): Tim Silman is the Program Director at Lonely Whale, a renowned organization dedicated to preventing ocean plastic pollution. Co-founded by actor Adrian Grenier in 2015, Lonely Whale leverages storytelling, modern marketing techniques, and collaborative partnerships to tackle ocean plastic pollution. Tim, based in Charlottesville, Virginia, leads innovative projects and campaigns focused on sustainable solutions, such as the Plastic Innovation Prize. **Support the show sponsors: Download the how to design sustainable packaging guide: https://idpdirect.com/design_guides/ Learn how to manage your packaging specifications: https://specright.com Learn more about dissolvable packaging materials: https://smartsolve.com Episode Summary: Join Evelio Mattos in an insightful conversation with Tim Silman, Program Director at Lonely Whale. This episode dives deep into the issues of ocean plastic pollution, highlighting innovative initiatives and sustainable practices. Tim shares his journey, the mission of Lonely Whale, and how radical collaboration and modern marketing are creating new pathways toward a plastic-free ocean. Lonely Whale focuses on reducing ocean plastic, with campaigns like "Stop Sucking" and initiatives like Nextway Plastics and the Ocean Heroes program. Tim discusses the impact of thin film plastics, innovative solutions using seaweed-derived materials, and the importance of biodegradable plastics. Brands are encouraged to integrate these new materials into their supply chains, with complex challenges of scaling these solutions being addressed through collaborative efforts. Key Takeaways: Urgency of Ocean Plastic Pollution: An estimated 11 million metric tons of plastic enter the oceans yearly, expected to triple by 2040. Lonely Whale's Strategic Approach: The organization uses storytelling, campaigns, and collaborations to drive change and innovate solutions for ocean plastics. Innovative Alternatives: The Plastic Innovation Prize highlights seaweed-based biodegradable alternatives to thin film plastic, showcasing winners such as Sway, Zero Circle, and Notpla. Role of Designers and Brands: Designers and brands play a crucial role in sustainability by integrating innovative materials and setting realistic yet ambitious goals. Future Steps: Loneliness is focused on educating and expanding their initiatives while seeking new problematic materials to tackle in the fight against plastic pollution. Notable Quotes: "Our center has really been around leveraging storytelling and modern marketing techniques and radical collaboration with brands and other partners to change the trajectory of ocean plastic pollution." — Tim Silman "It's a humongous problem. People may be familiar with the Pacific garbage patch, with the impact on marine life now emerging more on human health and climate." — Tim Silman "Biodegradable doesn't actually mean anything. It's kind of industry greenwashing, unfortunately. Biologically degradable is a term we use to demarcate that." — Tim Silman "Think about the consumer and their behavior, and how they interact with your product, to better incorporate sustainable design at the upfront." — Tim Silman "Brands have to consider their storytelling, setting realistic targets and, if necessary, adjusting goals while maintaining transparency and authenticity with their customers." — Tim Silman Resources: Lonely Whale: lonelywhale.org Unwrap the Future: unwrapthefuture.org Instagram: @lonelywhale Podcast: 52 Hz Podcast on Spotify For more captivating conversations and sustainability insights, listen to the full episode and stay tuned for more episodes from our series.

What happens when you get 4 packaging nerds on stage at the largest Waste industry event in Vegas? Find out what we covered, what we learned, and how your packaging decisions are just the tip of the iceberg when we discuss every business built around recycling.

With Jonathan Quinn of Pregis, Cory Connors of Sustainable Packaging Podcast, Adam Peek of People of Packaging Podcast, Mikey Pasciuto founder of Scrapp, and myself Evelio Mattos.

If you want to support the podcast you can subscribe or leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.

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Connect with Evelio on LinkedIn

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*Are you a fan of PDU and want to connect and learn from Evelio’s smiling face? Connect with him on LinkedIn to attend his weekly Packaging Class Live on LinkedIn every Friday and reposted to YouTube here.

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Past guests on Package Design Unboxd include: Former Creative Director of Packaging at Burberry Vincent Villeger, Founder of Terracycle and LOOP Tom Szaky, Head of Realization at Pearlfisher Brandi Parker, Head of Pentawards Adam Ryan, Cardboard Ninja at Think Packaging New Zealand Mat Bogust, Packaging Instructor at Art Center School of Design Gerardo Herrera, Founder of Center Design and Front and Center Podcast Host Alex Center, Head of sustainability at Interact Brands Valerie Hawks, Materials and sustainability at Nirvana CPH Katie Kubrak, Founder of Liquid Death Mountain Water Mike Cessario, and more.

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Whoo! We hit nearly 100 episodes on the podcast, thank you so much for listening.

Today we are talking to Michael Napoli of Terracycle and wrapping up our 4 part series on designing sustainable packaging.

** Want to appear on the show and hit our 5k + audience? Just go to the website and let me know: packagedesignunboxd.com

Michael Napoli, VP of Material Sales at Terracycle, is a designer turned sustainability expert. He shares how design has to evolve to support sustainability and how it's critical to stay informed and not fall behind.

Here's why you have to listen:

1) Because it's awesome!

If you want to support the podcast you can subscribe or leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.

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Connect with Michael on LinkedIn

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Learn more about Terracycle here

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*Are you a fan of PDU and want to connect and learn from Evelio’s smiling face? Connect with him on LinkedIn to attend his weekly Packaging Class Live on LinkedIn every Friday.

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Past guests on Package Design Unboxd include: Former Creative Director of Packaging at Burberry Vincent Villeger, Founder of Terracycle and LOOP Tom Szaky, Head of Realization at Pearlfisher Brandi Parker, Head of Pentawards Adam Ryan, Cardboard Ninja at Think Packaging New Zealand Mat Bogust, Packaging Instructor at Art Center School of Design Gerardo Herrera, Founder of Center Design and Front and Center Podcast Host Alex Center, Head of sustainability at Interact Brands Valerie Hawks, Materials and sustainability at Nirvana CPH Katie Kubrak, Founder of Liquid Death Mountain Water Mike Cessario, and more.

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Support the best damn packaging podcast and our partners:

Order your packaging factory direct with IDPDirect.com

Or learn how Specright can manage your packaging

Michael Napoli, VP of Material Sales at Terracycle, is a designer turned sustainability expert. He shares how design has to evolve to support sustainability and how it's critical to stay informed and not fall behind.

Here's why you have to listen:

1) How does a brand or designer even begin to work with Terracycle?

2) How do you create truly reusable packaging?

If you want to support the podcast you can subscribe or leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.

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Connect with Michael on LinkedIn

Connect with Evelio on LinkedIn

Learn more about Terracycle here

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*Are you a fan of PDU and want to connect and learn from Evelio’s smiling face? Connect with him on LinkedIn to attend his weekly Packaging Class Live on LinkedIn every Friday.

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Past guests on Package Design Unboxd include: Former Creative Director of Packaging at Burberry Vincent Villeger, Founder of Terracycle and LOOP Tom Szaky, Head of Realization at Pearlfisher Brandi Parker, Head of Pentawards Adam Ryan, Cardboard Ninja at Think Packaging New Zealand Mat Bogust, Packaging Instructor at Art Center School of Design Gerardo Herrera, Founder of Center Design and Front and Center Podcast Host Alex Center, Head of sustainability at Interact Brands Valerie Hawks, Materials and sustainability at Nirvana CPH Katie Kubrak, Founder of Liquid Death Mountain Water Mike Cessario, and more.

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Support the best damn packaging podcast and our partners:

Order your packaging factory direct with IDPDirect.com

Or learn how Specright can manage your packaging

Michael Napoli, VP of Material Sales at Terracycle, is a designer turned sustainability expert. He shares how design has to evolve to support sustainability and how it's critical to stay informed and not fall behind.

Now if you don't know Terracycle, they recycle the unrecyclable and work with some of the world's largest brands to put in place recycling schemes that reduce global waste. Here's why you have to listen:

1) The differences between practically recyclable and technically recyclable, and why this matters.

2) Learn how brands view Sustainability today

3) Different types of recycling processes 

If you want to support the podcast you can subscribe or leave a review wherever you get your podcasts. 

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Connect with Michael on LinkedIn

Connect with Evelio on LinkedIn

Learn more about Terracycle here

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*Are you a fan of PDU and want to connect and learn from Evelio’s smiling face? Connect with him on LinkedIn to attend his weekly Packaging Class Live on LinkedIn every Friday.

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Past guests on Package Design Unboxd include: Former Creative Director of Packaging at Burberry Vincent Villeger, Founder of Terracycle and LOOP Tom Szaky, Head of Realization at Pearlfisher Brandi Parker, Head of Pentawards Adam Ryan, Cardboard Ninja at Think Packaging New Zealand Mat Bogust, Packaging Instructor at Art Center School of Design Gerardo Herrera, Founder of Center Design and Front and Center Podcast Host Alex Center, Head of sustainability at Interact Brands Valerie Hawks, Materials and sustainability at Nirvana CPH Katie Kubrak, Founder of Liquid Death Mountain Water Mike Cessario, and more.

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Support the best damn packaging podcast and our partners:

Order your packaging factory direct with IDPDirect.com

Or learn how Specright can manage your packaging

Michael Napoli, VP of Material Sales at Terracycle, is a designer turned sustainability expert. He shares how design has to evolve to support sustainability and how it's critical to stay informed and not fall behind.

Now if you don't know Terracycle, they recycle the unrecyclable and work with some of the world's largest brands to put in place recycling schemes that reduce global waste. Here's why you have to listen:

1) The differences between practically recyclable and technically recyclable, and why this matters.

2) Learn how brands view Sustainability today

3) Different types of recycling processes 

If you want to support the podcast you can subscribe or leave a review wherever you get your podcasts. 

---

Pick up a death metal PDU hoodie 🤘🏽here

Connect with Michael on LinkedIn

Connect with Evelio on LinkedIn

Learn more about Terracycle here

---

*Are you a fan of PDU and want to connect and learn from Evelio’s smiling face? Connect with him on LinkedIn to attend his weekly Packaging Class Live on LinkedIn every Friday.

---

Past guests on Package Design Unboxd include: Former Creative Director of Packaging at Burberry Vincent Villeger, Founder of Terracycle and LOOP Tom Szaky, Head of Realization at Pearlfisher Brandi Parker, Head of Pentawards Adam Ryan, Cardboard Ninja at Think Packaging New Zealand Mat Bogust, Packaging Instructor at Art Center School of Design Gerardo Herrera, Founder of Center Design and Front and Center Podcast Host Alex Center, Head of sustainability at Interact Brands Valerie Hawks, Materials and sustainability at Nirvana CPH Katie Kubrak, Founder of Liquid Death Mountain Water Mike Cessario, and more.

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Support the best damn packaging podcast and our partners:

Order your packaging factory direct with IDPDirect.com

Or learn how Specright can manage your packaging

En el episodio de hoy hablamos con Hernan Braberman Director de Diseño de Tridimage de Argentina. Trabajan con marcas de todo el mundo y tratan con productos de todos los sectores.

En este episodio, aprenderá sobre empaques inteligentes, marca global y sostenibilidad.

Pero, sobre todo, aprenderá qué se necesita para ganar en el concurso Pentawards. Diseño que sorprende y deleita y nos hace sentir un poco de envidia por no haberlo inventado nosotros.

Antes de comenzar, hazme un favor y suscríbete al podcast ahora mismo y asegúrate de dejar una reseña en español para saber que estás escuchando.

Comuníquese con nosotros si desea escuchar a más diseñadores en español en el podcast.

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Connect with Hernan on LinkedIn

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*Are you a fan of PDU and want to connect and learn from Evelio’s smiling face? Connect with him on LinkedIn to attend his weekly Packaging Class Live on LinkedIn every Friday.

*Wanna enter Pentawards and join me as Pentawards Winner? Sign up here @ Pentawards

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Past guests on Package Design Unboxd include: Former Creative Director of Packaging at Burberry Vincent Villeger, Founder of Terracycle and LOOP Tom Szaky, Head of Realization at Pearlfisher Brandi Parker, Head of Pentawards Adam Ryan, Cardboard Ninja at Think Packaging New Zealand Mat Bogust, Packaging Instructor at Art Center School of Design Gerardo Herrera, Founder of Center Design Alex Center, Head of sustainability at Interact Brands Valerie Hawks, Materials and sustainability at Nirvana CPH Katie Kubrak, Founder of Liquid Death Mountain Water Mike Cessario, and more.

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Support the best damn packaging podcast and our partners:

Order your packaging factory direct with IDPDirect.com

Or learn how Specright can manage your packaging

Jennie Potts Design Director of B&B Studio shares how their work infuses emotion into packaging and why your brand needs a personality.

In today’s episode we discuss some of the work she’s done with B&B studio, one of my favorite chocolate packs for Raw Halo and the positive impact that design has had on the Raw Halo business.

You’ll also why including more content into your Pentawards submission is key to putting you in the running for an award.

If you want to support the podcast you can subscribe or leave a review wherever you get your podcasts. 

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Connect with Jennie on LinkedIn

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*Are you a fan of PDU and want to connect and learn from Evelio’s smiling face? Connect with him on LinkedIn to attend his weekly Packaging Class Live on LinkedIn every Friday.

*Wanna enter Pentawards and join Jennie and I as Pentawards Winner? Sign up here @ Pentawards

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Past guests on Package Design Unboxd include: Former Creative Director of Packaging at Burberry Vincent Villeger, Founder of Terracycle and LOOP Tom Szaky, Head of Realization at Pearlfisher Brandi Parker, Head of Pentawards Adam Ryan, Cardboard Ninja at Think Packaging New Zealand Mat Bogust, Packaging Instructor at Art Center School of Design Gerardo Herrera, Founder of Center Design Alex Center, Head of sustainability at Interact Brands Valerie Hawks, Materials and sustainability at Nirvana CPH Katie Kubrak, Founder of Liquid Death Mountain Water Mike Cessario, and more.

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Support the best damn packaging podcast and our partners:

Order your packaging factory direct with IDPDirect.com

Or learn how Specright can manage your packaging

How do you build a career steeped in innovation and sustainability, where do you get the experience to begin, and what does it mean to manage that process?

This episode we speak to Jenny (Cairns) Greenwood, Innovations and Sustainability Manager at ButterflyCannon in London about her 0 - 1 path to building a career. 

Listen and learn how to inject your design process with innovation and sustainability, what questions to ask, and where to start.

If you want to support the podcast you can subscribe or leave a review wherever you get your podcasts. Now let’s get to Jenny (Cairns) Greenwood on Package Design Unboxd.

Pick up a death metal PDU hoodie 🤘🏽

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*Are you a fan of PDU and want to connect and learn from Evelio’s smiling face? Connect with him on LinkedIn to attend his weekly Packaging Class Live on LinkedIn every Friday.

*Wanna enter Pentawards and join Jenny and I as Pentawards Winner? Sign up here @ Pentawards

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Past guests on Package Design Unboxd include: Former Creative Director of Packaging at Burberry Vincent Villeger, Founder of Terracycle and LOOP Tom Szaky, Head of Realization at Pearlfisher Brandi Parker, Head of Pentawards Adam Ryan, Cardboard Ninja at Think Packaging New Zealand Mat Bogust, Packaging Instructor at Art Center School of Design Gerardo Herrera, Founder of Center Design Alex Center, Head of sustainability at Interact Brands Valerie Hawks, Materials and sustainability at Nirvana CPH Katie Kubrak, Founder of Liquid Death Mountain Water Mike Cessario, and more.

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Support the best damn packaging podcast and our partners:

Order your packaging factory direct with IDPDirect.com

Or learn how Specright can manage your packaging

Today’s episode is a 2 parter, we’re speaking with Jenny Cairns, ButterflyCannon’s Innovation & Sustainability Manager. We spoke for so long about a few different things that it actually made more sense to break it up then to release just one long podcast.

In part 1, Jenny and I discuss ButterflyCannon’s Climatic Table document, which is a checklist for 28 sustainable design elements.

Essentially a menu of sustainability priorities each brand should work through. Making sustainability a little easier to digest.

Jenny and I talk through the different sections comparing and contrasting a few types of brands and how they would use the table.

Not only do we tackle sustainability, but we also discuss how to include sustainability and innovation in your packaging design thinking.

Get the Climatic Table from Butterfly Cannon Here

Connect with Jenny Cairns on LinkedIn

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Get your packaging Specs in Order with Specright

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Evelio (@eveliomattos) and Neha Tulsian (@NehaTulsian) discuss designing packaging for FMCG in India at NH1 Design, and how balancing culture and society can impact packaging design decisions.

Here are three massive things you’ll take away from this episode:

1) Sometimes you gotta just chase your passion. Neha discusses how her agency was growing based on word of mouth from one industry, when she realized it wasn’t an industry she wanted to be known for. This led her to take a chance with a new client and the rest is history, at least history in the making.

2) The impact cultural society has on design decisions.

3) Taking the time to network and How to find your next agency client.

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*Are you a fan of PDU and want to connect and learn from Evelio’s smiling face? Connect with him on LinkedIn to attend his weekly Packaging Class Live on LinkedIn every Friday.

*Wanna enter Pentawards an join Jamie and I as Pentawards Winner? Sign up here @ Pentawards

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Past guests on Package Design Unboxd include: Former Creative Director of Packaging at Burberry Vincent Villeger, Founder of Terracycle and LOOP Tom Szaky, Head of Realization at Pearlfisher Brandi Parker, Head of Pentawards Adam Ryan, Cardboard Ninja at Think Packaging New Zealand Mat Bogust, Packaging Instructor at Art Center School of Design Gerardo Herrera, Founder of Center Design Alex Center, Head of sustainability at Interact Brands Valerie Hawks, Materials and sustainability at Nirvana CPH Katie Kubrak, Founder of Liquid Death Mountain Water Mike Cessario, and more.

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Order your packaging factory direct with IDPDirect.com

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Get help with your packaging from Evelio: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eveliomattos/ About the Guest(s): Simon Forster is the versatile founder and Creative Director at Robot Food, an award-winning branding and packaging design agency. With a keen interest in launching disruptive brands, Simon has successfully led numerous projects, both for clients and his own ventures. His deep understanding of retail strategy, consumer behavior, and creative branding makes him a notable expert in the field. Connect with Simon: https:www.robot-food.com Evelio Mattos is a seasoned designer and creative director known for his thought leadership in packaging design and branding. He frequently engages with industry experts to discuss challenges and trends in the design world through his podcast. Support our sponsors: Order packaging directly from the factory: www.IDPdirect.com Manage your packaging specifications: www.specright.com The paper that dissolves in water for packaging: www.smartsolve.com Episode Summary: In this engaging episode, Evelio Mattos converses with Simon Forster, the Creative Director of Robot Food. The discussion dives into the essence of what makes a brand disruptive, focusing on branding and packaging strategies that set brands apart from their competitors.

Simon shares valuable lessons from his own entrepreneurial journey, including the initial missteps and eventual pivot that led to the success of his skincare brand, Stories and Ink. Their conversation not only covers the practicalities of launching a brand but also delves into emotional branding and the power of resonating deeply with the target audience.

Simon draws from his extensive experience to highlight the intricacies of truly understanding one's consumer base and the importance of building a strong community around a brand. He emphasizes that disruption is not just about being loud and brash, but about cutting through the noise with authenticity and relevance. They also discuss the significance of tone of voice, copywriting, and creative flexibility in branding. Through real-life examples such as the Brooklyn Brewery rebrand, Simon illustrates how subtle yet strategic design changes can make a monumental impact in a crowded marketplace. Key Takeaways: Importance of Community: Building a brand starts with understanding and nurturing a community around it.

Subtle Disruption: Effective branding isn’t always about being the loudest; sometimes, the most subtle changes can create significant disruption.

Copywriting Matters: Quality copywriting is often undervalued but is crucial for a brand’s voice and resonance.

Learning from Mistakes: Early entrepreneurial missteps provide invaluable learning opportunities that shape future success.

Emotional Branding: Brands that tap into consumer emotions and values establish stronger loyalties.

Evelio Mattos (@eveliomattos) sits down with Jamie Ellul (@jamie ellul) to discuss how Supple Studio created the iconic Frahm Jacket packaging that won several awards at Pentawards (@pentawards) last year. How he built his agency, how this project literally walked into his office, and the value of winning design awards for agencies.

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*Are you a fan of PDU and want to connect and learn from Evelio’s smiling face? Connect with him on LinkedIn to attend his weekly Packaging Class Live on LinkedIn every Friday.

*Wanna enter Pentawards an join Jamie and I as Pentawards Winner? Sign up here @ Pentawards

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Past guests on Package Design Unboxd include: Former Creative Director of Packaging at Burberry Vincent Villeger, Founder of Terracycle and LOOP Tom Szaky, Head of Realization at Pearlfisher Brandi Parker, Head of Pentawards Adam Ryan, Cardboard Ninja at Think Packaging New Zealand Mat Bogust, Packaging Instructor at Art Center School of Design Gerardo Herrera, Founder of Center Design Alex Center, Head of sustainability at Interact Brands, Materials and sustainability at Nirvana CPH Katie Kubrak, and more.

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Visit the Pentawards

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How do you design packaging that is infused with sensuality, time, and a place, while delivering it in an aesthetically relevant pack? Asa Cook Creative Director of Intertype Studio explains how his 2 year old studio won the New-Comer award from Pentawards. He also shares his process for collecting and fermenting data as well as delivering deeply moving designs.

By codifying data Intertype studio establishes a solid foundation destined to lead them to victory and their clients to financial success. 

Learn how Asa's process works and what you can do to implement some of his learnings into your process today.

Submit your work to Pentawards

Connect with Intertype Studio

Connect with Asa Cook

Contact Evelio Mattos

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Pentawards, the most prestigious global packaging design competition is back in 2022! Adam Ryan and I discuss the changing landscape of packaging competitions and why diversity matters in building a global design community. This year's jury is made up of designers, materials experts, and an NGO (WWF) spanning Russia, the Americas, Asia, and pretty much every continent on the map. 

If you want to win a prize, there are lots of packaging competitions out there, but if you want to build community Pentawards is the one to enter. 

Adam shares how each entry is discussed and issued a feedback score that provides every entrant insight into how their design is being critiqued. This feedback score is a great way to improve your design, view design in a new way, and improve in areas you may not have considered. 

Join us for the first episode in our Pentawards series, moving forward we will be speaking with Pentawards winners, judges, and designers.

Enter your packaging at Pentawards today

Connect with the Pentawards team on LinkedIn

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Have you ever tried to write a Package Design Proposal and didn't know where to start? 

We discuss the discovery phase of your packaging proposal in this episode, everything that is required and everything you need to consider before sharing with a potential packaging design client.

Evelio shares how to consider timelines, budgets, quantities, and create a visual language for your client to communicate with you regarding their design desires. Packaging design requires many considerations and the tighter the parameters you set up for your packaging design project, the better your design will be.

Listen and drop us a line with any thoughts, questions, or anything you'd like to learn more about.

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I just bought an NFT solely for the packaging design. Insane? Probably.

I bought the Chinese New Year release of Gelnfiddich's 21 year old single malt scotch that comes in a beautifully illustrated box by Chineses Artist Rlon Wang. The idea of limited edition packaging isn't new and neither are presages, but this is entirely different, yet so much the same. 

I own 1 of the presale 200 limited edition bottles and boxes. The difference is that I don't get the bottle unless I burn the NFT, and each NFT that is burned makes the others rarer and more desirable. 

So how can you use NFTs to drive consumer engagement in 2022? How can you tie NFTs to limited edition packaging and releases? Let's discuss and figure what makes sense and how to do it.

Listen and follow with any questions on my LinkedIn:

Evelio Mattos on LinkedIn

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Learn how to avoid the packaging design mistakes every brand makes.

What are the biggest mistakes every start-up, unicorn, heritage brand makes? This quick chat breaks down 3 of the most impactful mistakes you can make to devalue your consumer experience and your brand's equity.

We'll tackle everything from Timing, size, and unboxing what the issues are, how they happen and how to avoid making the same mistakes every brand is bound to make.

This is part one in a series of packaging mistakes and how to avoid them conversations that will help you save time, money, and most importantly deliver a memorable unboxing experience to your consumer.

As I've always said, packaging was UX before UX was UX.If you're not designing for user experience you're wasting your time.

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Learn how finding your flow in the package design process allows you to deliver the value to your client. Gene Portnoy is a prolific packaging designer with years of experience, much of which never requiring a portfolio. 

In this episode we discuss how he built an award winning portfolio in less than 2 years by pushing himself beyond his comfort zone.

3 things you’ll get from this episode:

1) How sharing the work you design for fun can create unexpected new opportunities. Pick up new clients, and even sell those designs. Gene tells the story of how he sold an entire brand and packaging design he did for fun to a brand and how that’s grown into more opportunities to do the same again.

2) how to be the designer you want to be. There’s many types of designers, many styles, and just as many niches. You don’t have to fit into anyone of them. You can choose to work on your own terms and build the portfolio you want to represent you.

3) Allow yourself to get lost in the work.

Take that extra time to explore and play, you never know what gold you’ll find when you push the design further and beyond your own comfort zones.

Links from the show:

Gene Portnoy on LinkedIn
Work and Company

Evelio Mattos on LinkedIn
Package Design Unboxd on LinkedIn

IDP Direct - Factory Direct Packaging

Diecut Templates - Packaging Dielines

Specright - Packaging Specifications Management

Support the Show:

Pick up some PDU gear

Ever wonder what it takes to design packaging for Monopoly, Barbie, GI Joe, and the world of games and toys? Matt Nuccio shares his experiences in the toy industry and his approach to packaging. Games and toys die on the shelf every year due to bad packaging, learn how this team have stood the test of time to be industry leaders in packaging and game development.

Here's three nuggets you're going to walk away with:

1) The importance of design for manufacture

2) Size and the sustainable package

3) How color competes for attention on shelf

We'll hit this and a bunch more with Matt Nuccio of Design Edge.

Do me a favor and subscribe and rate the podcast where ever you listen to podcasts.

Links:

Matt's Company: Design Edge

Matt's Linkedin: Follow Here

Evelio on LinkedIn: Follow Him Here

Buy a Sustainabull Unboxing Club and support the pod here

Intl. Direct Packaging

Specright

Whether you're just starting out using Adobe Dimensions or a seasoned packaging designer with Quark Express in your rearview, this episode dives into the future of packaging design education with Aaron Brashear. You're walking away with a ton of stuff including:

How to further your career before it even starts.

How packaging design programs at FIT NY & Parsons differ

New curriculum to prepare students for the future of packaging

Innovations, ideation process in education, and embracing failure early

Major changes to packaging, trends for 2022 - 2025

Show links:

Aaron Brashear on LinkedIn

AaronBrashearDesign.com

FIT NYC

Parsons New School

Loftware Project Management

Adobe

X-Rite

Esko

Package Design Unboxd

Evelio Mattos on LinkedIn

Evelio Mattos on Twitter

Package Design Unboxd Q&A on Clubhouse

Intl. Direct Packaging

Specright

There are so many myths out there in terms of what is recyclable, what's not recyclable, what kind of material you should use, what material you shouldn’t use, where you should use them, and how to use them. Today, we’re sharing with you a presentation that Evelio gave at the Lithuanian Baltic NAPA Design Conference that focuses on the myths around the sustainability and recycling of packaging. Tuning in you’ll discover a list of things that you can do when you're designing sustainable packaging to ensure that it is, in fact, sustainable. You’ll hear the story about the launch of a new product for a luxury brand and what Evelio learned from their refusal to use packaging that was as recyclable as it claimed to be. Evelio then breaks down a list of myths and commonly held misperceptions about sustainable packaging as well as practical steps to take in the future. To find out where you can get the right information, what questions you should ask of whom, and what actionable steps you can take to create truly sustainable packaging, tune in today!

Key Points From This Episode:

• An introduction to our host Evelio Mattos and his career in package design.
• A quote from Tom Szaky on what defines sustainable packaging.
• The story about the launch of a new luxury product and what Evelio learned from the brand’s refusal to use recyclable packaging.
• How not asking the right questions of the right people results in inaccurate myths.
• Why it’s so important to call the separating companies and find out what they can separate.
• The first myth Evelio debunks: Packaging is a keepsake.
• Myth two: Recycling is circular.
• Myth three: Plastic is good.
• Myth four: Plastic is bad.
• Myth five: Reusable packaging is the answer.
• Myth six: Size doesn’t matter.
• The main takeaway from this talk: Don’t trust the data that you’re given by suppliers.
• Who you can trust: The recycling center in your region.
• Evelio’s answer to the question ‘“What is the most sustainable packaging?”
• How to go about sourcing the most sustainable material for packaging.
• How moving products independently creates waste.
• Evelio’s thoughts on compostable packaging, bioplastic, and biodegradable plastic.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Evelio Mattos on LinkedIn

Evelio Mattos on Twitter

NAPA Baltic

Tom Szaky

TerraCycle

Loop

Intl. Direct Packaging

Specright

Package Design Unboxd

Amazon gets rid of their plastic air pillows and shifts to paper void fill packaging. Is paper actually better than plastic? How companies making paper out of seaweed may be damaging the ocean floor in the race to replace fossil fuel plastic. How New York defeat the latest plastic packaging bill and set the state back in its path to a sustainable future. Get the latest in packaging industry news, stripped from the headlines with the industry's PVU (Packaging Victim's Unit) dun-dun. Join Evelio, Cory, and Adam every week for a live discussion, terrible jokes, and a community environment to kick off your week. Want to create live streams like this? Check out StreamYard: https://streamyard.com/pal/d/66735240...

We are taking this opportunity to do something a little different today! This episode's focus is on sustainable packaging and we recap some of the amazing ideas and advice we have received since starting this podcast. We feature snippets and segments from our conversations with Katie Kubrak, Tom Szaky, and Beau Peck, all episodes that are worth going back to listen to in their entirety if you have not already! Our three featured guests are all experts in the world of sustainable practices and packaging, and the thoughts they share are easy to apply and understand. This means that by simply listening to this episode you can level up your design process today! We touch on the difference between sustainability and recycling, getting to grips with different recycling systems according to specific locations, and how this information can impact and inform your design goals. Ultimately the aim is to make the most of your efforts; there is no use in designing a product to be sustainable in some way that does not fit with the systems it enters into! So to hear some inspiring ideas, and a few reflections about them along the way, join us on the show.

Key Points From This Episode:

• Tom Szaky's thoughts on reframing sustainable design and his definition of sustainability.
• The idea of eliminating packaging; a new parameter for our design work!
• The right kind of materials and palette for a sustainable creative process.
• Katie Kubrak's breakdown of the best ways to approach reuse.
• Rethinking how to make better use of products and boxes.
• Consumer education and tailoring your sustainability to local infrastructure.
• Questions to ask facilities about what materials they actually deal with.
• Beau Peck on the benefits of clean stream recycling systems.
• What designers should be considering in light of closed-lid systems.
• Recapping today's actionable tips and main lessons!

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

IDP

Specright

Die Cut Templates

Epiosde 5 with Tom Szaky

Tom Szaky on LinkedIn

Tom Szaky on Twitter

TerraCycle

Loop

Episode 13 with Katie Kubrak

Katie Kubrak on LinkedIn

Abel & Cole

Episode 3 with Beau Peck

Interwest Paper

Package Design Unboxd

Evelio Mattos on LinkedIn

Long-form and ‘doom and gloom’ content on sustainability arguably lack efficacy because readers either lose focus or end up feeling completely disempowered. Today’s guest is Ariel Maldonado and she is switching things up by using the format of memes on her Instagram page, @gogreensavegreen. You might be wondering why we are talking about memes today but, to practice sustainable packaging, you need to be well-informed. This is where Ariel fits in, so make sure to follow her! We chat with our guest about how she got obsessed with the environment and began to search for a way that she could join the sustainability movement. She talks about why she chose to start an Instagram account and how the type of content she posted evolved over time. We hear why memes are so effective due to the fact that they are to the point, humorous, and don’t make people feel like they are being attacked. We speak about various themes in the sustainability conversation, such as informed consumption, alternatives to plastic, and mono cropping, and Ariel shares her ideas based on the research she has done for her account. Our conversation also covers Ariel’s thoughts on where she wants to go next, and she shares her hope to not just educate her audience, but to help drive action. Great ideas and projects are so much more powerful when they reach large audiences, so tune in to hear how Ariel is working to achieve this goal today!

Key Points From This Episode:

• How Ariel became interested in sustainability and began to share her research on Instagram.
• The evolution of Ariel’s Instagram page and why she decided to use memes as a medium.
• Why Ariel does not see herself as an ‘influencer’, even though she has a large audience.
• Ariel’s thoughts on pursuing volunteer coordinating and where she might go next.
• The stress of creating long-form content and why Ariel finds memes to be so effective.
• Her experience with sponsorships and why she doesn’t want her page to be focused on making money.
• Why Ariel prefers reusable water bottles and her thoughts on how damaging plastic is.
• How the research and activism Ariel does has influenced the way she shops.
• The confusion involved in shopping sustainably and how Ariel can use her voice to help.
• Ariel’s wish to go beyond educating and help people to take action.
• The scam of carbon offset projects and how mono-cropped trees often kill ecosystems.
• Where to go online to find out more about Ariel and Go Green Save Green.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Ariel Maldonado on LinkedIn

Ariel Maldonado on Twitter

Ariel Maldonado Email

Go Green Save Green on Instagram

Package Design Unboxd

Evelio Mattos on LinkedIn

Evelio Mattos on Twitter

Intl. Direct Packaging

Specright

We have all experienced molded fiber, usually as a replacement for foam or plastic inserts (think egg boxes). However, this largely underrated material offers countless possibilities to those bold enough to use it, and it is environmentally friendly to top it all off! Colourform is at the forefront of design and innovation with molded fiber and today we get to speak to two key members of its team, Richard Dancy and Chris Schofield! Richard and Chris take us through the process behind the complex designs they have made using this material while giving listeners an insight into what is truly possible with Colourform. We learn about the value proposition of Colourform’s molded fiber from a branding perspective and hear examples of how their product has helped to elevate the story behind the many clients they have worked with. Our conversation also covers the sustainability aspect of Colourform. We talk about how they are helping their clients push the boundaries of easy-to-use recycled packaging as well as find their place in the circular economy. So, tune in today to give your molded fiber preconceptions an extreme makeover!

Key Points From This Episode:

• Introducing Chris and Richard and their roles within Colourform.
• The Colourform offering: a thermo-formed molded fiber product (an alternative to plastic).
• What sets Colourform apart from other packaging and even molded-fiber competitors.
• A Maison Ruinart champagne bottle wrap made by Colourform and the process behind it.
• The process of realizing ideas and how Colourform shows clients what is possible.
• How Colourform helps to elevate brands by telling their story using molded fiber.
• What molded-fiber is and the molding process the Colourform products go through.
• The cost of making the tools and molds and the typical order size Colourform gets.
• How Colourform is evolving to take on ever more complex and beautiful projects.
• The different legs of James Cropper and how Colourform interacts with them.
• Water costs involved in creating the product and Colourform’s environmental standards.
• The possibilities for forms, strengths, and printing: how Colourform demonstrates these.
• How the Colourform team joins separate pieces of molded fiber and combines colors.
• The way Colourform can include materials from the packaged product into the packaging.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Richard Dancy on LinkedIn

Chris Schofield on LinkedIn

Colourform

James Cropper

Package Design Unboxd

Evelio Mattos on LinkedIn

Evelio Mattos on Twitter

Package Design Unboxd Q&A on Clubhouse

Intl. Direct Packaging

Specright

When you focus on manufacturing, you learn about the materials and processes behind a product, and this knowledge only makes you a better designer at the end of the day. Brandi Parker, Head of Sustainability at Pearlfisher, joins us to talk about how her experience on the manufacturing side has influenced the way she thinks about sustainable design. Brandi’s role at Pearlfisher has taught her about the deep connection between sustainability and design and we start our chat by hearing more about what this means to her. From there, we talk about certifications such as Dolphin-Safe and FSC, unpacking ideas around corruption, consumer awareness, and brand superficiality. Our conversation moves into some of the most exciting trends Brandi is seeing in sustainable design right now, where she highlights fungus and the amazing ways it is being put to use as a material. Toward the end of our exchange, we explore what true design is really about. Brandi drills down on the importance of reading the most current literature, getting involved in real projects and, of course, getting more clued up about manufacturing! We wrap up on the role of problem-solving in great design, and Brandi shares a few golden nuggets that you definitely do not want to miss!

Key Points From This Episode:

• Sustainability through design and what Brandi’s role at Pearlfisher entails.
• How broad the topic of sustainability is and what it means to be an expert in it.
• The corruption in the Dolphin-Safe Certification and whether FSC is worth it.
• A lack in consumer understanding of FSC; whether they should care about it or not.
• Why fungus as a material is interesting from a sustainability point of view.
• Learning about sustainable design through books, projects, people, and manufacturing.
• Three questions designers should ask about the ‘what’, the ‘why’, and the price before using a material.
• Lessons Brandi learned during her time in a competitive problem-solving team in high school.
• The value of challenging a problem by turning it on its head to find effective solutions.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Brandi Parker on LinkedIn

Pearlfisher

Cradle to Cradle

Package Design Unboxd

Evelio Mattos on LinkedIn

Evelio Mattos on Twitter

Package Design Unboxd Q&A on Clubhouse

Intl. Direct Packaging

People of Packaging Podcast

Sustainable Packaging Podcast

This is the story of how your host, Evelio Mattos, won a packaging design and product launch pitch against VaynerMedia and also lost $900,000 in the process. The lesson in today’s episode is about knowing your value and understanding what you bring to the table when it comes to pricing, packaging design, and opportunities. As with any proposal, Evelio believes that presenting with confidence and clarity is key. It’s about delivering your pitch, focusing on its value to the consumer, their brand, and the longevity of the project but, most importantly, when you’re done, your audience should understand exactly what they are getting (as well as what they are not). Tuning in, you’ll learn the importance of engaging with your customers’ needs, determining what success will look like, and charging clients for the full value of what you will deliver, even if you’re just starting out. To find out more about how Evelio went up against the legendary Gary Vaynerchuk and won (but also lost), make sure not to miss today’s episode!

Key Points From This Episode:

• The story of the internal packaging design agency Evelio built for a Fortune 500 company.
• Find out how making pancakes helped Evelio build trust and relationships.
• The opportunities that come from engaging with customers and learning their needs.
• Evelio’s big picture approach to design and the confidence that comes with experience.
• The chance Evelio had to launch a new soft drink company with a celebrity founder.
• Hear about the ‘humbling period’ that comes with working with a celebrity.
• Determining what the success of a project will look like and what value it offers the brand.
• Learn about some of the other celebrity projects Evelio has worked on.
• Why it’s important to set a limit on how many comps you include in your proposals.
• Evelio on why he believes presenting with confidence and clarity is key.
• Weighing up losing a client versus underselling yourself by lowering your prices.
• Finding the best value for your brand as a self-funded startup.
• Evelio’s advice for listeners: charge clients for the full value of what you will deliver.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

VaynerMedia

Package Design Unboxd

Evelio Mattos on LinkedIn

Evelio Mattos on Twitter

Package Design Unboxd Q&A on Clubhouse

Intl. Direct Packaging

People of Packaging Podcast

Sustainable Packaging Podcast

Today, we’re discussing the realities of waste management in Argentina and the lengths that people go to in order to be just a little bit more sustainable with Guillermo Dufranc, author, YouTuber, and consistent LinkedIn poster of great sustainability content. When he isn’t busy being a zero-waste influencer, Guillermo manages a creative team at tridimage, an award-winning packaging design agency headquartered in Buenos Aires. In this episode, you’ll learn how global cities like Buenos Aires collect and dispose of waste in open dumpsites and how that impacts the realities of recycling in the city, how it’s going to be people who save the planet based on the decisions that they make, not the packaging materials we choose, and the ways in which systems need to close the loop without disrupting infrastructure. We also touch on how streamlining packaging to suit your immediate needs and location is going to be the next evolution of package design, with each type of packaging requiring a specific material for different use cases, and Guillermo shares his insights into how this future can achieve our zero waste dreams. Tune in today!

Key Points From This Episode:

• An introduction to Guillermo and his dream to live on a planet full of flowers, not trash cans.
• Learn more about waste management and waste disposal systems in Argentina.
• Guillermo reflects on the realities of water pollution in the coastal city of Buenos Aires.
• Why he believes that legal frameworks are necessary in order to enforce change.
• Guillermo on his roles as both graphic designer and project manager at tridimage.
• Find out how important sustainability is to consumers in South America right now.
• The importance of closing the loop on packaging waste without disrupting infrastructure.
• Why Guillermo believes it’s people, not packaging materials that will save the planet.
• Guillermo’s vision for the future of drinks packaging: why there isn’t just one solution.
• Why customizing packaging for specific use cases is the next evolution of package design.
• The combination of reusable, recyclable, and compostable that is the future of packaging.
• Hear about the four books Guillermo has written and what inspired him to write them.
• How growing his audience on YouTube has opened new conversations about sustainability.
• The new habits and conscious everyday decisions necessary to create lasting change.
• One thing packaging designers can do to promote sustainability; spread the word.
• Guillermo on why creating a mindset shift is the most powerful tool designers have.
• Why it’s important that designers educate themselves about new and existing materials.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Guillermo Dufranc

Guillermo Dufranc on LinkedIn

Guillermo Dufranc on Instagram

Guillermo Dufranc on YouTube

La comunicación del packaging

Packaging Storytelling

Packaged Brands

Packaging para salvar el planeta

tridimage

Years ago, the return and reuse of glass bottles was common practice, but when convenience began to dominate the messaging around packaging, this went out the window. Now, 75% of glass bottles end up in landfills. Through her company, Conscious Containers, Caren McNamara is on a mission to change this. Caren Conscious Containers is a benefit corporation selling refillable glass bottles and establishing infrastructure to collect, sanitize and resell them throughout the country. They have also come up with an innovative solution which allows them to track the lifecycle of their bottles so that they can build up a database which the packaging industry is lacking. In this episode, Caren explains the processes involved in ensuring that a bottle is fit for reuse, legislation that is coming into effect around the end of life of packaging waste, how beverage brands have been responding to Conscious Container’s business model, and the exciting expansion plans she has for the future!

Key Points From This Episode:

• What you can expect to learn from today’s episode.
• Reasons that drove Caren to found Conscious Container.
• Main challenges that Conscious Container is faced with.
• Benefits of using a refillable glass bottle as opposed to other packing substrates.
• Mandated legislation around single use packaging.
• The lack of glass bottles currently available in the supply chain.
• Factors that contributed to the reduction in reuse of glass.
• Percentage of glass that ends up in landfills.
• Differences between Conscious Container bottles and other glass bottles.
• How and why Conscious Container is going to track the lifecycle of their bottles.
• Responses from beverage brands to the idea of a returnable bottle.
• Alterations that companies may have to make when they begin using Conscious Container glass bottles.
• Challenges to getting wash-off labels.
• The process that a Conscious Container bottle goes through after it has been used.
• How Caren intends to scale Conscious Container.
• Caren’s past work experience, and how this has benefited her in her current role.
• Extended producer responsibility programs.
• The end of life for reusable bottles.
• Examples of the companies that Conscious Container is working with.
• Changes Caren expects to see take place over the next few years.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Conscious Container

Conscious Container Email Address

Caren McNamara on LinkedIn

Reloop

Zero Waste Europe

Report on Reusable vs Single Use Packaging

Closed Loop Partners

International Direct Packaging

People of Packaging Podcast by Adam Peek

Sustainable Packaging Podcast by Cory Connors

Connect with Evelio Mattos on LinkedIn

and download your own Sustainable Packaging Guide here

Todd Maute explains how CBX’s FORGE process helps redesign multi-SKU packaging for CPG and retail brands faster and sometimes cheaper. CBX is known for its brand experience development for pet, food, and even pet food brands! 

Learn how design agencies collect data, project-manage, and make production a design challenge to ensure every redesign aspect is measured and considered. Packaging design for one box is complex. Redesigning packaging for hundreds of SKUs all at once, well, that’s an undertaking for the professionals.

This episode gives you the BTS insight to see how the pros do it.

Here’s what you’re going to get from this episode:

1) How adaptive design can just be the future of packaging production.

2) How scaling a brand requires understanding the elasticity of design to live across a comprehensive set of standpoints.

Just think of Smuckers, you know ’em for the jelly aisle, but they’re in frozen, pet, and breakfast.

3) Applying design across hundreds of SKUs, now that you’ve determined where your products will live, we need to know how to take on this design challenge and translate visuals across hundreds or thousands of SKUs.

Hear how CBX applied their FORGE process to Duane Reade to execute a redesign in less than 6 months tip to tail.

Connect with Todd Maute on LinkedIn 

Learn more about CBX here

Connect with Evelio Mattos

Download your free sustainable packaging guide here

In this episode Evelio (@eveliomattos) speaks to Vincent Colard of Citeo.com a company working hand in hand with packaging designers, manufacturers, and recycling systems to get France to 100% recycling rates by 2025. Learn what materials to use in your packaging design to increase the chances of it being recycled at end of life. 

They discuss chemical recycling, what it is, how it helps, and where it fits in the grand scheme. Also the different types of plastics, benefits, drawbacks, and different product needs. 

Here are three massive things you’ll walk away with today.

1) How CITEO develops recycling streams for various materials and how they implement it across the country.

2) Get a breakdown of checkmical recycling, how it works, and basically what it is.

3) recycling, down cycling, and up cycling how different packaging materials are building our circular future.

You can learn more about CITEO at citeo.com or find Vincent Colard on Linked in.

For daily packaging updates, follow Evelio on LinkedIn

Download your own sustainable packaging guide here

Follow Package Design Unboxd on LinkedIn

Ever wondered what the future of packaging looks like?

You’re not alone. In fact, it’s a question that has been on the minds of many designers and brand-owners alike.

We all know how important sustainability is to our world today, but we also want to make sure that we are doing everything in our power to make products as effective and safe for consumers. 

That being said, antimicrobial coatings are trending due to covid, the current pandemic, but also looking to everyday hygiene of products we come into contact with. 

Learn how DesignSake launched Matter, designed packaging for Nixit, and is building the next brand incubator near SF. 

Here’s a few more take aways you’ll get from this episode:

1) If you can design for others, you can build for yourself.

Design Sake launched a new product into the market and we get into how agencies are taking ownership of the products they design.

2) Removing the responsibility of sustainability from the consumer.

3) How do you make packaging that is a reflection of who you are and meets your sustainability goals. How do you hold clients accountable? And how do you make clients as successful as you possible can?

4) The future pipelines of DTC brands and how designers need to think about material innovation, and should packaging be anti-microbial?

Connect with DesignSake

Learn about Matter

Connect with Danielle McWaters

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Connect with Evelio Mattos

Leave a review here

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Download your own sustainability guide for free

Need packaging, talk to Evelio: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eveliomattos/ Wanna work with Robot-Food? https://www.robot-food.com Simon Forster is the founder of Robot Food, a design and branding agency known for its disruptive and innovative approach. With a background in art and a history rooted in punk and skate culture, Simon has cultivated a reputation for questioning the status quo and pushing creative boundaries. His journey began with running a surfskate brand funded by Joey Ramone, marking the beginning of his love affair with branding. Today, Simon and his team at Robot Food are dedicated to creating impactful and standout strategies for their clients. Support our sponsors: Factory Direct Packaging Manufacturing: https://www.idpdirect.com Manage your packaging specifications: https://www.specright.com Sustainable packaging that dissolves in water: https://www.smartsolve.com Episode Summary: In this thought-provoking episode, Simon Forster of Robot Food sits down with Evelio Mattos to discuss the controversial subject of design awards. Simon shares his critical views on the relevance and necessity of such accolades in the industry, outlining how awards can sometimes compromise the integrity of the work and may not ultimately benefit design agencies. The conversation touches on the cost implications and the often-overlooked downside of getting trapped in a cycle of constantly chasing awards. Simon's punk-rock ethos and commitment to authentic, disruptive design shine throughout the discussion, challenging the conventional wisdom around what it means to be successful in the design world. Simon highlights the hefty financial burden of entering design awards and questions their true value to clients. He explains that his agency's growth and reputation have been built on delivering results rather than chasing recognition through awards. Simon emphasizes that clients prioritize results such as increased sales and brand impact over industry accolades. With a background that includes leading a skate brand funded by Joey Ramone, Simon blends his punk roots with his professional journey to foster a unique and rebellious approach at Robot Food, encouraging brands to stand out rather than conform. Key Takeaways: The Cost of Awards: Design awards come with significant entry fees and additional costs if you win, which can be a heavy burden for startups. Client Priorities: Clients are more interested in tangible business results rather than whether an agency has won awards. Disruptive Design: Success in design comes from questioning the norm and creating emotionally and visually disruptive work. Agency Culture: A rebellious, questioning attitude within an agency can foster innovation and lead to standout work. Alternative Recognition: Rather than seeking awards, Simon advocates for cutting through the noise by delivering exceptional client outcomes. Dive into the full episode to explore these insights and more, as Simon Forster shares his candid perspectives on the design industry, the true value of awards, and the importance of staying disruptive. Stay tuned for more enlightening content from our podcast series! Leave a review: https://www.packagingunboxd.com

Kirk Visola, Founder and Creative Director of Mind the Fun, Co-host of Clubhouse's Kirk and Kurtts (Andy Kurtts), and Monday's with Marilyn (Kirk's mom) joins PDU to have a discussion about race and design. Kirk shares the experiences he's had as a black designer, learning that design could lead to a career, and his passion for comics.

We discuss everything from updating his LinkedIn profile with an image for the first time, interviews, his sketch process, and how design can take a couple days to a couples weeks. 

Check out Kirk's amazing work here:

Connect with Kirk on LinkedIn

Connect with Evelio on LinkedIn

**Not G Rated**

Supply chains are breaking down, freight rates are blowing up, and today there are even brands that are paying off dock workers to move their products to the front of the line.

Don't stoop low enough to break the law, just listen to this episode where Thaxton Lipscomb explains how to engineer your logistics to move your goods faster and cheaper. He lays out everything from materials to incoterms and how to save money by shifting responsibilities to sellers making them want to move the goods faster in order to get paid upon delivery.

Here's what you get in this episode:

1) What the hell is ECT? If you’re ordering packaging and it’s shipping in corrugated boxes, you need to know what ECT is. You’ll also get a few standards that you can use when quoting packaging. Yes, the quality of the cartons impact your overall costs.

2) This was new to me, they’re called INCOterms. Thaxton will explain how to leverage incoterms to create a sense of urgency in delivery but also how you can shift the responsibility to the seller. Not only that it can allow you to shift costs back to the seller and determine who is responsible for payment and when.

So save money and get things faster.

3) One of the biggest trends coming for 2022. Reverse logistics!

Forget the color of the year, brands don’t really care about superficial trends right now. It is all about consumer experience and saving money. Really it’s about saving money.

Reverse logistics does both.

4) I know I usually give you three things, but this one is so good I gotta tease it. Thaxton explains how they saved money and redesign time by changing the truck type instead of redesigning the packaging to correct transit damage. 

You have to listen to this because you won’t believe it.

Connect with Thaxton Lipscomb on LinkedIn

Connect with Evelio Mattos on LinkedIn

And download your free sustainability guide here.

Is plastic packaging evil? Is it killing sea-life, reducing sperm counts of men globally, decimating bird populations, or is it a misunderstood miracle material? In the Package Design Unboxd Q&A Clubhouse room, Chris DeArmitt Plastic Scientist and author of A Plastic Paradox joined Pierre Paslier CEO and co-founder of NOTPla to debate plastic packaging. Regardless of which side of the aisle you sit on, you need to listen to this episode. The goal of this episode is to share points on both sides that expose the debate brands are afraid to have because they don't know who to believe.  WARNING: Recording quality is crap. I'm sorry. But listen to it anyway, there is a lot to learn and think about in this episode.  Learn more about Pierre Paslier and NOTPla, it's a seaweed based material capable of replacing plastic in specific applications. It's so sustainable you can eat it. You can download Chris DeArmitt's new book and decide for yourself. Connect with Evelio Mattos on LinkedIn Follow Package Design Unboxd on LinkedIn Please subscribe, rate, and review. Download your own sustainability guide here

Today's guest is Andy Kurtts, the founder of Buttermilk Creative, a food & beverage packaging agency based in North Carolina. After leaving his full-time position over 5 years ago he launched Buttermilk Creative. Andy set out to build a solid business foundation before designing his first package. Andy shares how he set up his LLC, website, and where he goes to find clients.  Get practical advice on growing your business, finding clients, and even when to make the jump from full-time to founder. Connect with Andy on LinkedIn Email Andy at Buttermilk Creative Connect with Evelio on LinkedIn Download the free sustainable packaging guide

How do you design packaging for a product and an industry that's not fully legal, and changes regulations daily? Rick Fitzgerald joins us to share his insights into cannabis packaging and how to get started designing for cannabis packaging.  If you want to begin designing packaging for cannabis, you’re going to love this episode. If you’re already designing packaging for Cannabis, you might learn something too! You’re going to learn 3 super major things. 1) State regulations, why you need to work with a pro 2) The opportunities in structural engineering CR packaging 3) The requirements for designing graphics on cannbis packaging. Also some insights into the cannbis industry as a while, and Rick drop his prediction for countrywide legalization! Connect with Rick on LinkedIn Check out his cannabis travel company InnDica here Connect with Evelio on LinkedIn Download your free sustainability guide here

What the hell is sustainable packaging anyway? Evelio continues the conversation over drinks to help you identify ways to make your packaging more sustainable and building your brand. It's another late night and Evelio's drinking again letting loose on what it means to be sustainable. He breaks down the old adage of Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle and what that means to a brand and to a designer.  You'll get something out of this episode, even if it's just a laugh. Evelio takes sustainability seriously and wants to make sure you get the straight dope from his experience. Follow Evelio on LinkedIn Download your own Free copy of the Sustainability Guide

50 years ago Fabrice was picking up trash in his village, 20 years later he launched one of France's most famous packaging design agencies. Today Fabrice Peltier, world renowned author, shares with us what he's learned about sustainability and why we're in the middle of a revolution.  Get ready to fight for your planet because this revolution isn't jut limited to packaging, it's about product, logistics, consumerism, and everything in between. He explains the confusing nature of sustainability, how Europe differs from the Americas when it comes to recycling packaging. Fabrice's book The packaging Revolution is a must read, and it's written in simple terms so anyone without packaging design experience can learn to make more sustainable packaging decisions.  All in all, you’ll get at least 3 key takeaways. 1) How to trendspot 20 years into the future. - seriously he’s got a great process that beats mine and I just work 5 years in the future. So I’m going to start putting this process into play for myself. 2) How to help brands make the right choices in materials, processes, and give them a clear picture of what sustainability can mean for them. - If you’re not already helping brands make these decisions, you’ll gain some insight into how to do this. 3) Compostables. Yes we get into compostable plastics and we get a European angle on this material. We also get into some of the laws passed around these materials and packaging. We discuss the Packaging Revolution, and learn that the reason it’s written our in such simple terms that anyone can understand is that Fabrice is also the author behind the French version of Design for Dummies! You can pick up Fabrice Peltier's books here! Connect with Fabrice Peltier on LinkedIn Connect with Evelio Mattos on LinkedIn to get daily packaging insights Support our Sponsor WESTPACK use promo code: UNBOXD for 50% off! Download your free sustainability guide here.

What the hell is sustainable packaging anyway? It's late, and I'm going to rant about everything I know and how to approach sustainable packaging design. You're going to learn a few things in this one: 1) What questions to ask you supplier, manufacturer, and yourself before you embark on the road to sustainable packaging design. 2) Materials, we're going to have a heart to heart about materials. Paper, plastic, and alternatives what they are and how they work. Some we're just going to say no to. 3) Where to begin looking for sustainable solutions that impact your packaging's sustainable story. It's not where you would think, but it's where you'll make a difference.  Leave a comment or review, would love to hear if you like this type of episode. If you do I may just do more of them. Support our sponsors:  WestPack - They're California's first live conference! Excited it's about packaging! Use promo code UNBOXD to get 50% admission to various tracks including the cannabis track.  IDP Direct - these guys make amazing retail packaging for global brands. They also have a great sustainability guide available for free, check it out here and get started on your path to more sustainable packaging. Follow me on LinkedIn and leave a comment about this show. You'll get a few sustainable posts a day on Linkedin and be able to network with other like minded packaging people!

Jeremy Etchison & Ben Blanchard are the dynamic duo behind SONOS' Roam packaging. Their team of designers and engineers executed what can be called the future of sustainable tech packaging. A completely recyclable product pack that uses custom paper wrapped corrugated board and molded fiber inserts to cradle and present the ROAM speaker. 

We discuss how sustainability was the Northstar that led to Sonos' packaging design for the ROAM and all future Sonos products. We learn about custom papers, molded fiber inserts, and the necessity of designing within a grid for multi SKU packaging. 

Connect with Jeremy and Ben on LinkedIn

Tag Evelio in your LInkedIn posts about packaging

Support the sponsors that support the PDU (Package Design Unboxd) podcast:

Intl. Direct Packaging, the factory direct packaging manufacturer known for sustainable packaging manufacturing

WESTPack, California's first live conference! And it's a packaging conference. Sign up for your tickets here use promo code: unboxd to get 50% off various tracks

Packaging designers have a superpower no other designer has. The ability to reach into the future and create it today. Learn the strategies Clark McDowall use to design packaging for Mars owned Nutro Pet Foods and legacy brand Palmolive. How to spot packaging trends without falling in love with transient trends? Applying this strategic vision to designing packaging with longevity and relevance to build a Future-Ready brand. Nutro Packaging Design: We discuss designing packaging for large to small skis and how systemic design works Avoid following the industry and focus on the consumer's needs Why the team landed in the direction they did and what was the brief  Palmolive Making a legacy brand inclusive with small tweaks that mean a lot Redesigning dish soap to sell an experience and values Designing something positive for the planet by using ocean plastics Designing something positive for people removing hands from the packaging Learn more and work with Clark McDowall Connect with Adrienne Muken on LinkedIn Connect with Paul McDowall on LinkedIn Connect with Evelio Mattos on LinkedIn Follow the podcast and get the newsletter Download your free sustainability guide now Visit westpackshow.com to register for your free expo pass and use promocode unboxd to get 50% off the CannPack West Conference and other design and manufacturing technical conference tracks.

Discuss your packaging with Evelio Mattos

Tom Jackson is the co-founder of Honest Ocean, a company focused on managing the supply chains of recycled plastics from source to manufacturing. Based in Indonesia, Tom works closely with local communities and recycling centers to collect and process ocean-bound plastics, aiming to transform waste into valuable materials for various industries.

In this enlightening episode, Evelio Mattos sits down with Tom Jackson, co-founder of Honest Ocean, to discuss the harsh realities of plastic pollution in Indonesia and its devastating impact on the environment and local communities. Tom shares his journey from working on private superyachts to founding a company dedicated to recycling and repurposing ocean-bound plastic, offering insight into the complexities and challenges of the recycling process.

Throughout the conversation, Tom explains how Honest Ocean collaborates with local coastal communities to collect plastics, which are then processed and sold to brands committed to sustainability. He touches on the dire state of Indonesian beaches, clogged with waste, and highlights the importance of creating a circular economy. The episode delves into the technical aspects of processing different types of plastics and the efforts to find innovative solutions for unrecyclable waste. Tom also discusses the crucial role of technology and the need for significant investment to effectively tackle plastic pollution on a global scale.

• Plastic Pollution Crisis: Indonesia’s beaches are inundated with plastic waste, significantly affecting local communities and the environment.
• Community Collaboration: Honest Ocean empowers local communities by employing them in the collection and processing of ocean-bound plastics.
• Comprehensive Recycling: The company processes a variety of plastics, including PET, PP, and HDPE, and is working on solutions for unrecyclable waste.
• Impactful Partnerships: Brands can significantly contribute to environmental sustainability by sourcing recycled plastics from Honest Ocean, creating positive social and economic effects.
• Innovative Solutions Needed: There is a pressing need for advanced technology and investment to manage and repurpose waste efficiently.

1. "Now you change it from fish to plastic and try to pay them, if not more than what they were getting it for before." - Tom Jackson
2. "The first seven to eight foot of the beach is plastic mixed in with that seaweed." - Tom Jackson
3. "United States, UK, Germany, we're all still exporting waste to countries like Indonesia." - Tom Jackson
4. "Changing lives through plastic collection, it's not just plastic recycling." - Tom Jackson
5. "We're not at that scale. You know, we do a couple of hundred tons a month, and that really takes up all of our time." - Tom Jackson

• Tom Jackson on LinkedIn

Delve into the full episode to uncover the fascinating journey of turning ocean-bound plastic waste into valuable resources and the significant strides Honest Ocean is making towards a sustainable future. Stay tuned for more insightful episodes from our podcast/web series.

Want to know how agencies are designing packaging for the future?  Where do packaging innovations breed? Where do you find packaging inspiration? If you’re interested in designing forward thinking packaging that goes beyond just making bags and boxes, you gotta listen to this episode. We talk with Daniel Lowe founder of Someone and Others, a design studio based in LA working on some of the countries most cutting edge brands.  Listen today and you’re going to walk away with some inspiration and learn a few things. 1) you’re going to get a history lesson on how packaging has evolved over the last ten years. 2) get a sense of how packaging will evolve into the next 20 years - I told you Daniel is focused on forward thinking packaging. 3) where to find inspiration to design packaging that doesn’t look like anyone else So you want to get in touch with Daniel and his team? Find Someone and Others here. Want to connect with Evelio? Hunt me down on LinkedIn *Get out of the house and go attend the largest West Coast packaging conference LIVE! In Anaheim! It's called WESTPACK! Click here to register and use promocode UNBOXD to get 50% OFF CannPack West Conference and more! Interested in sourcing packaging directly from the factory? Check out my friends at IDPdirect.com, they are the premier luxury packaging manufacturer where you buy your packaging direct from the factory - no middlemen, no distributors.  Learn more here

Simon Van Leuven breaks down what happens to your packaging after it's picked up for recycling. We discuss how to design packaging for sustainability, and how different packaging materials impact the true nature of sustainable packaging design. Simon is someone that I’ve followed for a while and watched many of his videos where he’s out on the job at recycling plants, MRFs, or even outdoors fishing and picking up trash. He’s a director at Vanden Recycling based in Melbourne Straya, he’s also the host of Think Beginning Not End where he gets into the nits and grits of recycling and sustainability. You can learn more about Simon before we get into this episode by hunting him down on LinkedIn, search for Simon Van Leuven, If you want to learn how your packaging impacts the recycling industry, you’re going to love this episode. Today you’re goin to get a few massive ideas. 1 - What happens to the various materials once they get to your local MRF 2 - New labeling requirements being implemented today 3 - Compostable packaging - is it a lie? Make sure to take notes, and enjoy the episode. Follow Evelio Mattos on LinkedIn for daily sustainable packaging information Connect with Simon Van Leuven on LinkedIn Subscribe to his podcast Think Beginning Not End Support our sponsor IDP Direct, the luxury packaging manufacturer. Get 20% off your custom packaging dielines from DieCutTemplates.com

How do you design packaging for DTC brands? How do you know how many boxes to buy when you haven't sold anything? How do you time your packaging buys when you're working with projections?  The founders of Last Crumb get into these details and many more. We learn how they developed the packaging that is winning awards and most importantly selling out their weekly cookie drops. At nearly $10 each cookie these cookies are flying off the shelf and growing this 10 week old start-up. For online only brands packaging is critical, your packaging design has to sell the product after the purchase and validate the consumer's expectation by delivering a memorable unboxing. We dig into all of the details to bring you the lessons these founders have learned. While you're at it, pour yourself a tall glass of milk and order up some Last Crumb Cookes. Make sure you're ready with Apple Pay or you probably not get to buy one before it sells out. - pro tip. Sign up for Last Crumb Learn more about Raf's Design Agency Truffle Connect with Evelio Download the Sustainable Packaging Guide