VA334 Packaging Design
Syllabus | International University of Sarajevo - Last Update on Feb 02, 2026
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Visual Arts and Visual Communications Design
Nejira Mulahmetović
Course Lecturer
Course Objectives
This course is an introduction to packaging design. The course introduces students to packaging design as a multidisciplinary practice combining visual communication, structural design, branding, sustainability, production, and user experience. It examines the discipline of packaging design from a three-dimensional perspective and explores the aspects that make it such a vibrant and energetic division of the design industry.
Learning Outcomes
After successful completion of the course, the student will be able to:
Course Materials
Required Textbook
Calver, Giles (2007): What is packaging design? Mies, Sveits: Rotovision.
Additional Literature
Ambrose, Kevin and Paul Harris (2011): Packaging the brand: the relationship between packaging design and brand identity., Edward Booth - C., Daniele BaroniTeaching Methods
Bi‐weekly/weekly design assignments and studio-based lectures
Weekly Topics
| Week | Topic | Readings / References |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Introduction to the Course | FAQ course material |
| 2 | Design thinking and Packadging design | Calver, Giles, Mieas, Sveits |
|
Assignment 01 – Observation & Analysis PresentationStudent presentations, Group critique, Defining packaging design collectivelyAssignment 02 – Concept Development
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| 3 | The rall of packadging , an historical perspective, graphic as object | Edward Booth - C., Daniele Baroni |
|
Assignment 02 – Concept Development presentation and discussion
|
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| 4 | Packaging design - internal and external factors, stakeholders | Calver, Giles, Mieas, Sveits |
|
Project phase I
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| 5 | From Protection to Brand Communication | Ambrose & Harris |
| 6 | Peckeging from protection to the effective dissemination of brand image | Ambrose, Kevin and Paul Harris |
|
Project phase II
|
||
| 7 | Packaging design & visual communication (typography, color, imagery) | Klimchuk, Marianne Rosner |
| 8 | Mid Term - project presentation | Project reviw |
| 9 | Structural design | Calver, Giles, Mieas, Sveits |
| 10 | The design process | Calver, Giles, Mieas, Sveits |
|
Project phase III - Assignment 03
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| 11 | Basic study of 3D modeling and material usage | Calver, Mies, Sveits |
| 12 | Planning and production | Calver, Giles, Mieas, Sveits |
|
Project phase IV - Assignment 04
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| 13 | Surface graphics, finishes and effects | Calver, Mies, Sveits |
| 14 | Final project presentation | Project reviw |
| 15 | Final project presentation | Project reviw |
Course Schedule (All Sections)
| Section | Type | Day 1 | Venue 1 | Day 2 | Venue 2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VA334.1 | Course | Thursday 15:00 - 17:50 | B F1.10 Class/ART Studio | - | - |
Office Hours & Room
Assessment Methods and Criteria
Assessment Components
Final Exam
AI: Not AllowedAlignment with Learning Outcomes : 1 2 3 4
Midter exam
AI: Not AllowedAlignment with Learning Outcomes : 1 2 3 4
Assigments
AI: Not AllowedAlignment with Learning Outcomes : 1 2 3 4
Participation/Profesionalism
AI: Not AllowedAlignment with Learning Outcomes : 1 2 3 4
IUS Grading System
| Grading Scale | IUS Grading System | IUS Coeff. | Letter (B&H) | Numerical (B&H) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 - 44 | F | 0 | F | 5 |
| 45 - 54 | E | 1 | ||
| 55 - 64 | C | 2 | E | 6 |
| 65 - 69 | C+ | 2.3 | D | 7 |
| 70 -74 | B- | 2.7 | ||
| 75 - 79 | B | 3 | C | 8 |
| 80 - 84 | B+ | 3.3 | ||
| 85 - 94 | A- | 3.7 | B | 9 |
| 95 - 100 | A | 4 | A | 10 |
Late Work Policy
Information about late submission policies will be shared during class and posted in this section. Please check back for official guidelines.
ECTS Credit Calculation
📚 Student Workload
This 6 ECTS credit course corresponds to 150 hours of total student workload, distributed as follows:
Lecturer hours
15 hours ⏳ (15 week × 1 h)
Lab
30 hours ⏳ (15 week × 2 h)
Assigments
60 hours ⏳ (10 week × 6 h)
Midtermproject
18 hours ⏳ (2 week × 9 h)
Final Project presentatio
27 hours ⏳ (3 week × 9 h)
150 Total Workload Hours
6 ECTS Credits
Course Policies
Academic Integrity
All work submitted must be your own. Plagiarism, cheating, or any form of academic dishonesty will result in disciplinary action according to university policies. When in doubt about citation practices, consult the instructor.
Attendance Policy
Students are expected to adhere to the attendance requirements as outlined in the International University of Sarajevo Study Rules and Regulations. Excessive absences, whether excused or unexcused, may impact academic performance and eligibility for assessment. Mandatory sessions (e.g., labs, workshops) require attendance unless formally exempted. For detailed policies on absences, documentation, and penalties, please refer to the official university regulations.
Technology & AI Policy
Laptops/tablets may be used for note-taking only during lectures. Phones should be silenced and put away during all class sessions. Audio/video recording requires prior permission from the instructor.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) Usage: The use of AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT, Copilot, Gemini) varies by assessment component. Please refer to the AI usage indicator next to each assessment item in the Assessment Methods and Criteria section above. Submitting AI-generated content as your own work, where AI is not explicitly allowed, constitutes an academic integrity violation.
Communication Policy
All course-related communication should occur through official university channels (institutional email or SIS). Emails should include [VA334] in the subject line.
Academic Quality Assurance Policy
Course Academic Quality Assurance is achieved through Semester Student Survey. At the end of each academic year, the institution of higher education is obliged to evaluate work of the academic staff, or the success of realization of the curricula.
Learning Tips
Be prepared to contribute thoughtfully during class discussions, labs, or collaborative work. Active participation deepens understanding and encourages critical thinking.
Complete assigned readings or prep materials before class. Take notes, highlight key ideas, and jot down questions. Aim to grasp core concepts and their applications—not just facts.
Use course frameworks or methodologies to analyze problems, case studies, or projects. Begin early to allow time for reflection and refinement. Seek feedback to improve your work.
Don’t hesitate to reach out when something is unclear. Use office hours, discussion boards, or peer networks to clarify concepts and stay on track.
Syllabus Last Updated on Feb 02, 2026 | International University of Sarajevo
Print Syllabus
Referencing Curricula Print this page
| Course Code | Course Title | Weekly Hours* | ECTS | Weekly Class Schedule | ||||||
| T | P | |||||||||
| VA334 | Packaging Design | 1 | 2 | 6 | ||||||
| Prerequisite | Junior Standing | It is a prerequisite to | - | |||||||
| Lecturer | Nejira Mulahmetović | Office Hours / Room / Phone | ||||||||
| nmulahmetovic@ius.edu.ba | ||||||||||
| Assistant | Assistant E-mail | |||||||||
| Course Objectives | This course is an introduction to packaging design. The course introduces students to packaging design as a multidisciplinary practice combining visual communication, structural design, branding, sustainability, production, and user experience. It examines the discipline of packaging design from a three-dimensional perspective and explores the aspects that make it such a vibrant and energetic division of the design industry. | |||||||||
| Textbook | Calver, Giles (2007): What is packaging design? Mies, Sveits: Rotovision. | |||||||||
| Additional Literature |
|
|||||||||
| Learning Outcomes | After successful completion of the course, the student will be able to: | |||||||||
| Teaching Methods | Bi‐weekly/weekly design assignments and studio-based lectures | |||||||||
| Teaching Method Delivery | Face-to-face | Teaching Method Delivery Notes | ||||||||
| WEEK | TOPIC | REFERENCE | ||||||||
| Week 1 | Introduction to the Course | FAQ course material | ||||||||
| Week 2 | Design thinking and Packadging design | Calver, Giles, Mieas, Sveits | ||||||||
| Week 3 | The rall of packadging , an historical perspective, graphic as object | Edward Booth - C., Daniele Baroni | ||||||||
| Week 4 | Packaging design - internal and external factors, stakeholders | Calver, Giles, Mieas, Sveits | ||||||||
| Week 5 | From Protection to Brand Communication | Ambrose & Harris | ||||||||
| Week 6 | Peckeging from protection to the effective dissemination of brand image | Ambrose, Kevin and Paul Harris | ||||||||
| Week 7 | Packaging design & visual communication (typography, color, imagery) | Klimchuk, Marianne Rosner | ||||||||
| Week 8 | Mid Term - project presentation | Project reviw | ||||||||
| Week 9 | Structural design | Calver, Giles, Mieas, Sveits | ||||||||
| Week 10 | The design process | Calver, Giles, Mieas, Sveits | ||||||||
| Week 11 | Basic study of 3D modeling and material usage | Calver, Mies, Sveits | ||||||||
| Week 12 | Planning and production | Calver, Giles, Mieas, Sveits | ||||||||
| Week 13 | Surface graphics, finishes and effects | Calver, Mies, Sveits | ||||||||
| Week 14 | Final project presentation | Project reviw | ||||||||
| Week 15 | Final project presentation | Project reviw | ||||||||
| Assessment Methods and Criteria | Evaluation Tool | Quantity | Weight | Alignment with LOs | AI Usage |
| Final Exam | 1 | 40 | 1, 2, 3, 4 | Not Allowed | |
| Semester Evaluation Components | |||||
| Midter exam | 1 | 20 | 1,2, 3, 4 | Not Allowed | |
| Assigments | 3 | 30 | 1, 2, 3, 4 | Not Allowed | |
| Participation/Profesionalism | 1 | 10 | 1,2, 3, 4 | Not Allowed | |
| *** ECTS Credit Calculation *** | |||||
| Activity | Hours | Weeks | Student Workload Hours | Activity | Hours | Weeks | Student Workload Hours | |||
| Lecturer hours | 1 | 15 | 15 | Lab | 2 | 15 | 30 | |||
| Assigments | 6 | 10 | 60 | Midtermproject | 9 | 2 | 18 | |||
| Final Project presentatio | 9 | 3 | 27 | 0 | ||||||
| 0 | 0 | |||||||||
| 0 | 0 | |||||||||
| Total Workload Hours = | 150 | |||||||||
| *T= Teaching, P= Practice | ECTS Credit = | 6 | ||||||||
| Course Academic Quality Assurance: Semester Student Survey | Last Update Date: 24/02/2026 | |||||||||