Packaging designs using coffee cups by graphic design 1

1/11/2018

I had been looking for a fun and engaging lesson on packaging design for my graphic design 1 courses for some time. Most projects I found didnt really have a lesson plan or wasnt practical for our resources and facilities. I got the idea from my doodle cup project and from there it turned into one of my favorite graphic design projects of all time!

Each student was instructed to create a logo, background, mock up, and final print design. I had students do research on different drink and coffee logos. We discussed color schemes, rules of good design, etc. Students had to illustrate their logos in Photoshop with a transparent background. Students saved these as .png files.

Next, students created a background in Photoshop. It could be a solid colot, gradient, pattern, etc. but it had to be created by them...no photos!

After this, students put their logo and background into a mock up file...this was super fun and kids really enjoyed seeing their work on a professional light!

When students finished their mock up, they were instructed to put their background and logo into a cup template .psd file. Studentd used their previously learned clipping mask skills to insert the background into the template.

Then students printed the template in color, cut it out, and glued it to a blank 12 oz coffee cup (pack of 50 was about $12). I also had students paint their lid with acrylic paints if they desired.

Students presented their mock ups, final designs, and design process to the class at the end of the project. This project took about 3 weeks of class time from start to finish and I just loved the creativity!

Download the file templates below (first one is a .jpg & second one is a .zip file containing the .psd Photoshop template).

new_template_for_12_oz_cup.jpg
File Size:	725 kb
File Type:	jpg

Download File

new_template_for_12_oz_cup.zip
File Size:	9082 kb
File Type:	zip

Download File

Mock ups of packaging designs:

Finished physical print designs:

3 Comments

Karna

3/22/2018 05:13:57 am

I love this. I do a package design unit and I'm always lookiing for something different. I've done gum boxes, soap boxes...ironicly the students love the soap boxes. I'm happy to share. Would it be possible for you to send me this template? I was unable to download it.
Thank you,
Karna Hopkins
FHS Groton, CT

Bailey Quam

3/23/2018 11:43:08 am

Hello Karna! I re-uploaded 2 files. The first is a .jpg file of the 12 oz cup template and the second is a .zipped file of the .psd (it was too large for my web host to upload, so I had to .zip it). I had students use the .psd file, but you could conceivably have them use the .jpg file too. Anyways, thanks for your positive feedback! I will definitely be doing this lesson again!

Brenda Frank link

4/19/2024 11:50:55 pm

Karna: Thank you for putting this up on the internet. I have been searching for hours looking for some type of graphic design project to do with my middle school students to end the year. I actually have a sublimation printer, but cannot find any lesson plans online. I have a t-shirt press, a hat press and a tumbler press, but again, having trouble finding lesson online. If you happen to have any other lessons that use photoshop or illustrator and making actual projects, I would love for you to share them with me. This resource is going to help me a lot with my end of the year plans.