Box Contest Winner

[cleggart]

..I felt the same way when I picked up v.1.5
box...'THIS SOFTWARE HAS GOT MY ATTENTION'
And, I felt sort of sure, not knowing exactly
what this program could do, yet I bought it!

I never having known Xara or X, I don't think
my reaction would be similar if I saw those
"pretty" designed boxes.

You take for example the Logo type, Xara X. When
it appears on the icon that appears when opening
Xara, it FITS that ambiance with an example of
fine Vector work. The feeling is assuring that
this is a VERY GOOD VECTOR drawing program. However, the Xara Logo Type does not CLICK with
those New designs. (See some more comments earlier
on thread..along with a suggestion, based on many of the comments by all.)

Have a good one, Wolf..

Bill [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif[/img]

[raffon]

FYI
Go here if you want to see what some of the boxes look like for other products:
http://www.buycheapsoftware.com/

Ich bin ein New Yorker

[cleggart]

..a bigger one of idea based on ALL
suggestions..


CYA soon...
Bill [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_razz.gif[/img]

[Crow Haven]

box design for the Corel Xara v1.5, Bill...it at least gives the purchaser an idea of the types of effects and various art styles that can be developed with it...something sleeker could be on the front, but stunning, and then a lot of examples on the back--kind of like this example shown--it would tie it altogether and be very encouraging to a new customer to want to try it..."helpful" packaging instead of just a mysterious, "we're great--just take our word for it" approach. [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif[/img] I just wish the Xara team would think about it more...from the customer's point of view...before cloning another company's look.
---As The Crow Flies!---
Maya
P.S. I see you just posted another one!--Yes, some examples of a wide variety of uses would be a good idea! [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]

[cleggart]

..it's interesting...your comments very much
conincide with similar marketing strategy expressed
by some of the others.
I wonder who did that v.1.5 box?

There is so much that has to be considered when
making a package design...IT CANNOT BE JUST "PRETTY".

One has to really study the Market...the competition...the 'target'...the product, if it
is Good has to stand on it's own two feet...some
put their product with "something that the Biggies" have.

I once did a fruit punch drink...San Juan Fruit
Punch. After doing lots of market researh I offered a design having a rich, red punch color
grading down to let the aluminum can show through.
I designed my own Font for it ...It stood alone.
The client loved it. Then, they having several ad agencies they took it and changed the bkgd color to the 'blue' as Hawaiian Punch. They wanted to "walk under the umbrella" of one already with a good position in market. My design worked well at first but when the change was made...it FLOPPED!

The same is true with these designs. If there is a close proximity to Big Brother...and in this case
if any of these other might have had been hard to use by client...then it has a NEGaTIVE position
in buyers mind.

The most logical approach I believe is to SHOW THE
PUBLIC ON THE BOX SOMETHING THAT HAS ALREADY BEEN
DONE with XaraX assuring the buyer...you can do it, also.

Thank you Maya...very significant comments..
..have a good one..
Bill

[Crow Haven]

for your excellent reply and thoughts!!! I agree with you completely!!! [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif[/img] I wish Xara could understand this too.
---As The Crow Flies!---
Maya [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif[/img]

[jens g.r. benthien]

here we go with a version that's been made with Xara 3D trial and a feature of version 5 - modified color for single chararcters.

Have fun!

jens g.r. benthien
designer
http://www.sacalobra.de

----------//--
If you don't know how to dream you'll never be a designer.
----------//--

[cleggart]

..elegant design, Jens!

My true honest opinon is: I don't think
it brings together the elements that
will portray to the buyer what they have
in their hands is the Best Vector Drawing
program for them. ( In this case 3D).

Very elegant design, as I said. In itself has
very much merit.

I had a client who liked All 3 comps of design I
made for him...he said they were all PRETTY.
As we talked I percieved a more evident target
that he really needed. I told him the PRETTY ones
did not hit the TARGET to market his product. He agreed.
And so it goes...

..it's nice and balmy here in Puerto Rico...
Bill [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif[/img]

Here's a modified version of other. (I don't like
reducing the export image...it doesn't show trueness of design).

[This message was edited by William R.Clegg on July 15, 2002 at 19:03.]

[cleggart]

..interesting comments, Gidgit.

The first one goes..'a box is a box'.
There may exist evidence to substanciate that claim,
however, to the contrary there exists evidence that
does not subsanciate it.

Permit me to post this one example:
It had to do with RE-designning the BAN Roll ON
Deodoranat box. It was done with a simple vertical
box with a cut-out window just showing the middle
of the bottle with logo. (They wheyed heavally on
their past sales records that Ban had gotten a
good position on the market.) Unfortunately it
flopped. It was put on the store shelves along their competetors and BAN's sales went down
considerably. They did a 'Brain-Storm' session, very similar of what is being done on this forum
about Xara's new design and they zeroed in on a
quick and simple change. What'd they change?
They made the inside bakgd color of the window a
BRIGHT RED..and voila..the sales took off!
The light swatch of RED was an obvious Eye-Catcher
that the other box lacked...and the competition,also. I didn't ask them, but I'm sure
they would NOT have told me ...'a box is just a box'. I personally had a similar experience with
designning a bottle of roll-on deodorant for VO-5.
Very similar results!!!

In addition, in no way through this open "Brain
Storm Session" can it be concluded that we are in
some way faltering in our respect for Xara,Ltd.
artists! In my personal dealings with Xara,Ltd.I
have found them to be quite opened minded etc.
I think they will weigh all of this on a Feedback
scale and get the 'feel' of what the many talented,experienced artists are recommending...many of which have years of marketing experience that compliments the design
experience. I don't believe they will slant it
the wrong way. THEY KNOW THAT IS NOT THE INTENTION, at all.

...It's very rewarding, all of this...and if
there arises a wrong 'spirit' herein...I'm out of
here!!!

...really kool tonight...
Bill [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif[/img]

(Check out the two Ban boxes)

[Crow Haven]

I can certainly see what you mean about the "Ban" box coloration---what a striking difference just the one simple change makes in the product's visibility!!! A great example! Red always gets noticed.

No one here wants Xara to lose out in a very competitive market---I think they would understand that we love the app and want to see it gain even more ground out there.

I just stated my "opinions"/ideas from a customer's point of view. I'm not a "yes to everything" sort of person, and I didn't expect my opinion to be popular, I just voiced my views. The discussions are very interesting about how to market products--be it Xara or anything else--and thinking about why some products are picked out and others passed by.
I don't believe that "a box is just a box" when you are attempting to acquire "new" customers unfamiliar with the product. A good design can make a difference...and every little bit helps! Competition is fierce.

It was stated that it would be great to see "Xara take off"...and "if" it did....gees! Why hasn't it? Maybe the marketing??? Hopefully, things will improve. We all want that for Xara. These discussions are about what other things might have been tried and the pros and cons of various approaches, that's all, nothing to get all worked up about---we're all perfectly aware that they have it designed and it's a "done deal"---it's just a discussion of the results and how to find ways to produce good advertising images. No harm done...at least it shouldn't seem harmful to state opinions and trade thoughts/ideas on marketing strategies. I find it very interesting what others here have experienced in this field and how they solved actual advertising problems.

I really like jens' "Xperience the difference" slogan!!! That's really cool---and would have been an excellent direction to take all 3 apps in. Just my opinion! Then the use of some images which shows what the app can do is another idea which is good and very helpful. That's my 3 cents worth.
Xara is not available here in stores...I hope that changes, and that people will begin to know what "Xara" is/does/represents. "Illustrator" speaks for itself---a smart name choice!
Xara isn't just for "Pros"...and marketing to more than just "Pros" has many advantages in spreading word of its value. Becoming an "industry standard" does not come overnight or just by declaring itself to be best---it's through users, lots of them...and it's necessary to get the potential users attention first.
That's all I've said from the start. I enjoyed others' opinions and ideas very much, so before someone cuts us off I'll just say--thanks!!!
---As The Crow Flies!---
Maya [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif[/img]