Element Package

Day 1

We begin a new unit today that involves creating visual models for scientific applications. Today we will return to Adobe Illustrator in order to begin a Chemical Elements Package. You will be assigned a particular element and you will plan and develop a package box using the shape tools and grid as well as the Pathfinder tools in Illustrator. You will identify and apply five basic principles of design such as balance and composition to plan your product packaging. You will then replicate the template of a standard box.

  • Create an 11x8.5 inch document in Adobe Illustrator
  • Activate a grid every 1 inch with 4 subdivisions. View > Grid
  • Activate Snap to Grid. View > Snap Guid
  • Use your rectangle and pen tool to create the shapes shown on the left in the exact measurements shown here.
  • Lock your elements when you are done. Object > Lock > Selection
  • Label your page with your element and its atomic number. Your font should be Coolvetica. In fact all your writing in this project will be in Coolvetica.



Day 2

Today you will research your particular element and apply it to your design. You will find the Bohr model of your element and recreate it using the shapes tools in photoshop. You will apply your research and label the box with the following information: Protons, Neutrons and Electrons, Atomic weight, and Class. You will use the shape and pen tool as well as the “trace image” commands to create an illustration for the face of you package. Along with mr. Sarabia, you will continually evaluate your design choices and modify and refine if needed.

  • Recreate the Bohr model of your Element using the Ellipse Tool.
  • Research the properties of your element using google. Find the number of protons, electrons and neutrons, the class, the atomic mass and the date discovered.
  • Find a picture of your element.
  • Create a rectangle and add the abreviation and the relevant information of your element.
  • Create a mini table of elements and identify where your element lives.

Day 3

Today you will evaluate and your research and prioritize which information you will use. You will incorporate images and illustrations into your package as well as paragraph describing the qualities and uses of your particular element. You will continue to develop your package by finalizing the fonts and the colors choices to match the format we have decided upon and you will apply the use of barcodes and an QR code to direct customers to learn more about the element.

  • Use a rounded rectangle and create a mask over your pictures. Select your image and the rounded rectangle and go to Object> Clipping Mask > Make.
  • Go to QR Code Generator and copy the URL of your element's Wikipedia page to generate a QR code. Download the code as a .jpg and place it in your project.
  • Write a brief paragraph in your own words explaining the most important qualities and properties of your elements as well as what the element is useful for.
  • Find a black and white icon and place it on your main panel. When you copy the icon go to "
  • Image Trace and Expand to make your object black and white. Change the opacity to 40%.


Day 4

Today you will finally produce your package design and export it in the correct format to print. Mr. sarabia will print your box and you will have construct it, cut it and glue it together into an actual package. You will exchange elements with your peers so they learn about your element.

  • When done, do a last minute check with Mr. Sarabia so we can refine or fix any problems.
  • File > Export your file as a .jpg, with the correct name and in the correct folder and using the artboards. Make sure your resolution is 300 and your color RGB, Quality 8.
  • We will print your design. You must cut it along the cut lines as shown by Mr. Sarabia and paste your box together folding and gluing the flaps.