• A Slice Of... How to feed back to your design agency (No. 44)
    Aug 24 2026

    When it comes to feeding back to your packaging design agency, what is the best way?


    Feeding back on designs can be a very tricky process. Especially if there are multiple levels of sign off within the company. How do you amalgamate all of the feedback in a single minded way?


    How do you ensure that none of the feedback contradicts, that it is consistent and captures all of the key points objectively rather than subjectively?


    From point of view of the client, you may have to collate information from multiple stakeholders.


    From an agency side, some of the lead design routes could get thrown out at an early stage just because there’s one minor component that isn’t liked by the client. Often, with a few slight tweaks these issues can be ironed out and the design developed rather than have an entire big idea confined to the dustbin because of one element.


    How to feedback efficiently and effectively is an age old problem and a conversation I have a lot with clients.


    In essence, most problems can be solved, that is as long as you understand what the problem is. The key is to find a good way of defining exactly what the issue is.


    Here is our tried and trusted method that we use at Slice design. It’s not a fancy trademarked process, but a simple approach we like to use that is rooted in both logic and reason.


    You can find our contact details below:

    Alan Gilbody on Linkedin:

    ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/alangilbody/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    Slice Design Company website ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://slicedesign.co.uk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠


    #packagingdesign #packdesign #packaging #branddesign #branding #design #agency #designagency #drink #food #advice #sustainability

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    5 mins
  • A Slice Of... How to get your brand naming right (No. 43)
    Jun 23 2026

    When it comes to launching a brand, getting your brand name right can be the difference between success or failure?


    In today's competitive marketplace, effective brand naming is a crucial element of successful product marketing and brand strategy.


    A well-crafted brand name can significantly impact consumer perception, product recognition, and overall brand success. This article explores the best practices in brand naming, highlighting its importance in conveying product identity and consumer benefits, while also addressing potential pitfalls to avoid.


    A memorable brand name is indeed "gold dust" in the world of marketing. It serves as the primary identifier for your product, facilitating both consumer requests and recommendations. As a key component of your brand's identity, the name becomes a powerful tool for brand recall, combining visual and verbal elements to create a lasting impression.


    The name you choose for your brand should be an integral part of a wider design ecosystem. Consistency across all brand touch points is paramount, ensuring that the tone of voice and visual representation align seamlessly with the chosen name. This cohesive approach strengthens brand recognition and helps build a strong, unified brand identity.


    You can find our contact details below:

    Alan Gilbody on Linkedin:

    ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/alangilbody/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    Slice Design Company website ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://slicedesign.co.uk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠


    #packagingdesign #packdesign #packaging #branddesign #branding #design #agency #designagency #drink #food #advice #sustainability

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    8 mins
  • A Slice Of... What does sustainability actually mean? (No. 42)
    May 15 2026

    When it comes to packaging design, what does sustainability or being sustainable actually mean?


    So, what exactly does 'sustainability' or to 'be sustainable' actually mean when it comes to packaging for consumer goods?


    Is it about the carbon footprint? Is it about the energy consumed at manufacture? Is it about how the products are packaging, recycled and disposed of, or is a mixture of all?


    If you asked most consumers, or even experts in the industry what it means to 'be sustainable', they’d be hard-pressed to answer.


    The simple truth is, if you pin down a consumer on actual carbon data and overall 'carbon saved' on one packaging format versus another they would have no idea whether this was a significant or moderate improvement.


    I suppose this comes down to brands and especially manufacturers to educate consumers and explain exactly what some of these figures mean in real terms and also some of the trade-offs when it comes to trying to achieve them.


    This conundrum was brought to light recently when the curiosity got the better of me and I decided to open up one of those snazzy paper wine bottles. The truth I found out is that its not strictly a 'paper bottle' but a clam shell covering a pouch.


    You can find our contact details below:

    Alan Gilbody on Linkedin:

    ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/alangilbody/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    Slice Design Company website ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://slicedesign.co.uk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠


    #packagingdesign #packdesign #packaging #branddesign #branding #design #agency #designagency #drink #food #advice #sustainability

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    10 mins
  • A Slice Of... Why your back of pack is an integral part of the design system. (No. 41)
    Apr 15 2026

    Why you should see your back of pack as an integral part of the packaging design system. (No. 41)



    The back of pack is an often underused and unloved part of the pack. The fact is, it is an important part of the design system.


    With consumers becoming increasingly discerning and seeking more information to aid their purchasing decisions, the back of the pack has emerged as a crucial element in the brand storytelling process.


    This podcast delves into the best practices and potential pitfalls associated with leveraging the back of the pack as a powerful marketing tool.


    You can find our contact details below:

    Alan Gilbody on Linkedin:

    ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/alangilbody/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    Slice Design Company website ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://slicedesign.co.uk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠


    #packagingdesign #packdesign #packaging #branddesign #branding #design #agency #designagency #drink #food #advice #colour

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    7 mins
  • A Slice Of... Why is it important to establish a brand, rather than solely focusing on aesthetically pleasing packaging (No. 40)
    Mar 6 2026

    Why is it important to establish a brand, rather than just solely focusing on aesthetically pleasing packaging?


    Why do I need a brand? This is something we get asked a lot, especially from Startups who don’t fully understand the benefit of having one.


    A brand isn’t a logo, it’s not the colours you decide to use, it’s not what you call a product, it’s not how the product looks, it’s how your product is understood in the mind of the consumer.


    In today's competitive marketplace, having a strong and well-defined brand is crucial for the success of any product or business. A brand is not just a logo or a catchy name; it's the way your product or service is perceived by your target audience.


    A well-designed brand can help you stand out from the competition, build customer loyalty, and ultimately drive sales.


    You can find our contact details below:

    Alan Gilbody on Linkedin:

    ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/alangilbody/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    Slice Design Company website ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://slicedesign.co.uk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠


    #packagingdesign #packdesign #packaging #branddesign #branding #design #agency #designagency #drink #food #advice #colour

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    6 mins
  • A Slice Of... The importance of creating a robust pack architecture (No. 39)
    Jan 22 2026

    The importance of creating a robust pack architecture in branding & packaging design


    Getting your hierarchy right on pack can be the difference between standing out or disappearing on shelf.


    Implementing a clear, cohesive brand architecture across core and extended products is imperative both for shelf standout and to aid consumer navigation. This architecture provides familiarity while introducing cues that differentiate offerings. Done correctly, it helps consumers navigate the range in an efficient way.


    A solid architecture creates consistency. Customers appreciate it when a business has a consistent brand. In fact, consistent presentation of a brand has seen to increase revenue by 33 percent (Lucidpress, 2019).


    So why is this important? It takes between 5-7 impressions to even start creating brand awareness. When creating packaging design, especially on large ranges or ranges with multiple offerings, brands should make sure they repeatedly emphasise the brand uniform and assets in a consistent way, as this will help recall.


    Simply put, architecture defines were all the important bits should go.


    You can find our contact details below:

    Alan Gilbody on Linkedin:

    ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/alangilbody/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    Slice Design Company website ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://slicedesign.co.uk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠


    #packagingdesign #packdesign #packaging #branddesign #branding #design #agency #designagency #drink #food #advice #colour

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    7 mins
  • A Slice Of... The importance of colour choice for packaging design (No. 38)
    Nov 20 2025

    The importance of colour choice in branding & packaging design


    Colour is one of the most important elements of packaging design. Research shows that 52% of consumers first notice the colour on packaging before anything else.


    The right use of colour in packaging can instantly guide consumers to a brand and convey key product qualities. When used strategically and consistently, colour is an impactful visual shortcut that builds brand recognition. However, the wrong colour choices can have the opposite effect.


    This podcast covers best practices and watch-outs when working with colour in packaging design.


    You can find our contact details below:

    Alan Gilbody on Linkedin:

    ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/alangilbody/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    Slice Design Company website ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://slicedesign.co.uk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠


    #packagingdesign #packdesign #packaging #branddesign #branding #design #agency #designagency #drink #food #advice #colour

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    6 mins
  • A Slice Of... When should I change or update my branding & packaging design? (No. 37)
    Oct 22 2025

    When should I change or update my branding & packaging design?


    Most brand owners have been there and asked themselves this question. It’s really easy to get complacent and refuse the need for a change to your branding and packaging design because you’re either currently doing ok, or there is no budget. But when is the right time – when you are on the upwards slope or when you are sliding down?


    You can find our contact details below:

    Alan Gilbody on Linkedin:

    ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/alangilbody/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    Slice Design Company website ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://slicedesign.co.uk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠


    #packagingdesign #packdesign #packaging #branddesign #branding #design #agency #designagency #drink #food #advice #freepitch #freepitching

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    6 mins