Packaging and Merchandising Design / Final Project - The Merch Drop
Week 10 - Week 14 (24/11/25 - 26/12/25)
Felice Jolin (0373636)
Packaging and Merchandising Design / Bachelor of Design (Hons) in Creative
Media
Final Project - The Merch Drop
TABLE OF CONTENT
LECTURES
Lecture notes available in Exercise 1 and Exercise 2
INSTRUCTION
Module Information Booklet
TASK
Task brief:
Take the brand and packaging identity you
established in Project 2 and bring it to life in the retail world. Your goal
is to design a cohesive "merch drop" collection consisting of FIVE (5)
distinct items and pitch the concept to the class.
The 5 Required Items
Your collection must include
the following:
- One (1) POP (Point-of-Purchase) Display: A freestanding or countertop display designed to hold or showcase your product in a retail environment.
- Four (4) Merchandise Items: Original branded goods (e.g., apparel, tote bags, tumblers, limited edition collectibles, stationery) that specifically appeal to your target audience.
Phase 1: Research & Concepts
- Analyze your Project 2 brand values and packaging aesthetics.
- Develop 5 concepts that feel like a natural extension of the brand.
- Goal: Ensure the items are things your target audience would actually buy.
Phase 2: Design & Mock-ups
- Design the graphics and structural elements for all 5 items.
- Create high-quality digital mock-ups. These should be realistic renders that look like professional product photography.
- Ensure strict visual consistency (color palette, typography) with your Project 2 packaging.
Phase 3: Strategy & Presentation
- Promotional Strategy: Outline specific channels (Social Media, Influencers, Events) and tactics you will use to launch the merchandise.
- The Pitch: Prepare a slide deck presentation to "sell" your ideas. You will present your designs and strategy in Week 4.
Phase 1: Research & Concepts
We begin analyzing our brand values and come up with the brand story, brand positioning, targetmarket, unique selling point and brand personality. As there are 5 categories, each of us took part to do one. While for logo usage, brand color and brand typeface we discuss together.
Fig 1.1 Task Distribution (Week 10, 30/11/25)
1. Brand Story
Smile Surprise was created for young people who love giving small, meaningful gifts to their friends. We turn everyday toiletries into fun, affordable mini gift packs that are easy to customise and share. Our focus is simple, to create gifts that feel personal while being gentle to the earth. That’s why our packaging is designed with the 3 R’s (reduce, reuse, recycle) without losing its playful, eye-catching appeal. Each pack keeps the products safe, shows them clearly, and can be repurposed after use. With its bright, youthful identity, Smile Surprise brings joy through small gestures, a little gift that makes someone’s day.
2. Brand Positioning
For young people who want to give thoughtful, low-cost presents to friends, Smile Surprise positions itself as the go-to eco-friendly mini-toiletry gift brand that turns simple essentials into meaningful gestures. We offer curated miniature self-care items that are affordable, convenient, and fun to share, made with genuine concern for the environment. Our commitment to the 3R principles; reduce, reuse, and recycle. ensures that every pack delivers joy while minimising waste, helping young consumers feel good about both the gift they give and the impact they make.
3. Logo Usage
The Smile Surprise logo pairs bold, modern typography with a vibrant yellow burst symbolizing creativity, energy, and fresh ideas. It reflects a confident and playful identity. While the secondary logo utilize the letter ‘e’ from the primary logo which reflects a smily face.
4. Brand Colors
The brand utilize blue and yelow color with different shades.
Fig 1.3 Brand Colors (Week 10, 30/11/25)
5. Brand Personality
Fun: Smile Surprise brings a playful vibe with the bright visuals
and lively style turn simple toiletries into an exciting look while giving
distinguish experience as a gift that instantly lifts the mood.
Fresh:
We aim to give freshness in the looks of our brand as well as in the
product. We want users to feel that freshness themselves and share it with
others. Where we spreads a bright energy that makes every this gift feel
refreshing and new for people.
Expressive: We embrace
creativity through colourful visuals and unique packaging, Smile Surprise
lets users show their personality and share gifts that feel meaningful and
personal.
7. Target Market
Geographic Segmentation: Smile Surprise focuses on teenagers in
urban and suburban areas, especially places with many schools and
colleges where gifting between friends is common.
Demographic Segmentation: The target market consists of 16–20-year-old students looking for
affordable bath-care mini gifts. The audience is slightly female-skewed
but remains suitable for all genders.
Psychographic Segmentation:
Teens who enjoy fun and expressive products and like showing personality
through the gifts they choose. They value affordability, cuteness, and
eco-friendly packaging, and enjoy giving small, meaningful surprises to
friends.Behavioural Segmentation: They frequently buy gifts for
birthdays or casual friendship moments and look for convenient mini sets
that are easy to give. They are want something that feels personal,
playful, yet affordable and offers a fun unboxing experience.
8. Unique Selling Points
Smile Surprise creates small gifts for young people that are budget-friendly and ready to give. With our sustainable 3R packaging and great prices, is it always nice and quick to give and fun to receiveAfter finalizing the brand values, we proceed to find reference for the mock-up. Below are some examples, we gathered samples that relates to toiletries such as sandals, small pouch, towel, toothbrush, comb, shower cap and mirror. Mr.Shamsul also suggested us define a team such as 'travel', however he mentioned the slipper was unesscessary
Fig 1.5 References (Week 11, 01/12/25)
Phase 2: Design & Mock-ups
After discussing among the group, we decided to go with 5
items:
- Comb
- Pouch
- Toothbrush
- Mirror
- Towel
Next, we need to do the design and put it in the mockup. I was assigned to do the mirror. I begin to find suitable mock-up online and continue to place the design.
Fig 1.6 Mock-up (Week 11, 02/12/25)
Fig 1.7 Mirror Mock-up (Week 11, 02/12/25)
I made 4 variation of design. Some utilizing the primary logo while on using the secondary logo. I also incorporate the signature pattern behind. After the feedback session, Mr.Shamsul suggested to chose 1 only, and with the light blue, it is more coherent with other mockup, therefore, my group decided to go with the first variant.
Fig 1.8 Mirror Mock-up Variation (Week 11, 03/12/25)
Below is our finalized mock-ups
1. Comb
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Fig 1.10 Comb (Week 12, 08/12/25)
Our comb somes in 2 variation. One is on blue with the primary logo yellow color. While the other is the smaller comb with yelow color and secondary logo in blue color. This comb is simple and lightweight for everyday use.
2. Pouch
Fig 1.11 Pouch (Week 12, 08/12/25)
The reusable pouch mockup represents the core 3R principles focusing on storage of daily items. It utilize the primary blue color with the yelow color logo.
3. Toothbrush
Fig 1.12 Toothbrush (Week 12, 08/12/25)
Another daily essentials is the toothbrush taht communicates the brand’s
emphasis on care and hygiene. The design uses the brand's primary color
which is blue.
4. Mirror
Fig 1.13 Mirror (Week 12, 08/12/25)
The compact mirror mockup enhance brand’s playful identity by offering a bright design with our primary logo and with a compact size, easy to carry anywhere.
5. Towel
Fig 1.14 Towel (Week 12, 08/12/25)
After the feedback session, Mr.Shamsul also sugegsted us to make the flat lay and combine all our mock-up. Below is the example given.
Therefore, I begin to find mirror mockup from top view. However, I couldn't find one. So I decided to take an image of top view mirror and I edit it to have a layer so I could insert my design. I made circular shape within the mirror, then I made a group from layer, later then I make clipping mask with the original image.
After finalizing, Raya was assigned to do the flat lay as below.
Phase 3: Strategy & Presentation
Ms.Shamsul suggested us to do billboard mockup in specific road of KL and mentioned that we could animate the billboard. For the promotional strategy, we decided to do mock-up of website, instagram, billboard, and pop-up stand. I was assigned to do the instagram. First, I gather all the mock-up images. Then I change the backgound color in photoshop.
I also remember to include the product and the packaging for our instagram layout later. If I directly put these images on the IG layout, it wouldn't appear good. So I decided to edit and change the background in photoshop.
1. Instagram
2. Website
The design of the website is clean to ensures smooth navigation, while helping users to understand the products. The consistent use of visuals and colors across both the website and Instagram strengthens the brand's identity.
This website presents how Smile Surprise products would appear for
online approach. The flat lay image utilizing the homepage is to give
users a quick introduction to the brand and what we provide. The website
is designed to support easy browsing and purchasing from anywhere.
recognition.
3. Digital Billboard
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The digital billboard uses bright color blue background with the pattern and we also display our merchandise. This advertisement will arouse attention and eventually increase awareness of Smile Surprise brand to broader audience. This billboard is placed strategically in Kuala Lumpur.
4. Pop-up display
Here is Smile Surprise pop-up display located in Taylor's University Student Life Centre Walkway. This is a strategic place to promote the brand as it is daily passed by many students from dawn till dusk. Therefore, this could enhance the exposure of Smile Surprise brand. In addition, we display our product for customer to freely see and interact with.
After finalizing all the merchandise and promotional strategy, we compile in the slides for presentation. We did online presentation via zoom and recorded it for the final presentation submission.
Presentation Slides
Fig 1.30 Presentation Slide (Week 14, 26/12/25)
Presentation Video
FEEDBACK
Week 11:
We showed Mr.Shamsul our merchandise idea and he
stated that the slipper seem out of topic, it's more to hotels essentials
while the rest items is good to go. Sir also suggested us to go with a
theme for example 'travel' for our merchandise. For the promotional
strategy, we mentioned to do mock-up of website, billboard and instagram
and Sir agreed.
Weel 12:
For the merchandise, Sri said to maintain
consistency, as the rest already look consistnet, the mirror can also use
the light blue background to have the same theme. Sir also suggested us to
combine our merchandise into top vide perspective like a flat lay. For the
promotional strategy, Sir mentioned we can apply our advertisement in
billboard at a certain road in Kuala Lumpur for exposure. Sir also
suggested us to do a short animation for the billboard.
REFLECTION
Experience
Throughout these weeks, we work on the march drop
based on our brand. First we define first our brand, and I was assigned to
do the brand personality, then we discussed further the ideas
of what merchandise to be included in our brand, we did the design and
later on place it on mock-up. I also go through the process of research
and learning how to strategically promote our brand which later I made the
instagram layout. The overall process has ups and downs, however my group
manage to finish it on time and did our last task which is the final
presentation video.
Observation
For a group work, I've observed that
communication is the key. If no one initiates to start a conversation then
no work will be done. The should be discussion and sharing of thought to
get agreement and finish task on time. I've also observed that I couldn't
just simply include a merchandise, it should have reason to be there and
is allign with the brand identity. Consistency is also important
throughout the design applications, such as using consistent color,
typography and imagery to show harmony on every aspect may it be the
product, merchandise or the promotional strategy panel.
Findings
Throughout this process, I've learned that I cannot just simply chose a
product to be a merchandise, however I should research deeper the related
items to the brand so the merch is allign with overall brand identity.
I've also learned that having too many merch is not nesccesarry as long as
we have the essential ones. Lastly, I've also learned about, brand
identity, correlating merch and doing promotional strategy. This has
helped enhace my insight for a branding process.
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