packaging
Drawing an appealing package design with the illustration program Corel Draw calls on several visually-based skills. One is visual communication--speaking to an audience through images rather than words. Another is graphic design--applying visual communication to promote a product or idea. Draw helps you build these skills through the clarity and editability of its vector-based (i.e., scalable) graphics.
Instructions
1. Find a reference model for the package you want to design in Draw. See the Resources section for sites with effective package images.
2. Select an image; copy and paste it into Draw.
3. Lock the imported image from accidental editing by selecting it, right-clicking, and choosing "Lock Object."
4. Choose a portion of the reference image that has a uniform color and that's distinguishable from other portions of the main image. For example, if your reference image depicts a box of breakfast cereal, each piece of cereal will likely be a distinctive portion.
5. Select the "Freehand" tool by pressing "F5." Then, trace over the selected portion, being sure to connect the first and last points of the curve. Unclosed curves can't be filled with color.
6. Adjust the curve's nodes by first choosing the "Pick" tool. Locate this tool by seeking the pointer icon in the left toolbar. Double-click your curve, then move each node until it aligns with the reference image. If the reference image's segments are rounded, select the "To curve" item from the right-click menu, then adjust the arrow-shaped handles to flow the line smoothly through the node.
7. Select the toolbar's "Color Eyedropper" tool, then click the portion of the original image that your curve traces over. Click anywhere inside your curve to fill it with the portion's color.
8. Match the curve's outline to that of the portion you traced: Select the correct size from the "Outline width" drop-down control on the "Properties toolbar" (centered above the main document window).
9. Repeat Steps 4 through 8 for each portion of the reference image. When you're done, select all the filled curves and move them to one side of the reference. Evaluate your work based on how well it represents the reference.
10. Select another reference image to model and repeat the preceding instructions. Then, experiment with mixing portions of one image with another's portions. Develop a sense of appealing package design.
11. Craft your own, unique designs based on your experience in modeling the reference designs. Evaluate each design objectively by letting some time lapse after drafting it, then viewing it as another person would--from behind the chair of your work desk. Refine the design until it has the impact you want.
