Traditional topics in operations and supply chain management, including process engineering, capacity analysis, and economic decision-making, are examined with specific focus on how decisions and techniques in these areas impact packaging design, development, and testing.

The interrelationship between packaging and marketing, detailing how the retail consumer package can be used as a marketing tool. Concentrates on a systematic approach to developing an optimum package for a given product to meet the demands of the retail market and end user. Students gain practice in the development of a complete package system.

The breadth of packaging applications, including primary, secondary and tertiary, together with the variation in protective options, requires unique design considerations. This course provides an in-depth exploration of package design requirements tailored to the functional and aesthetic needs of products at specified end-use points. By examining the specifications for products ranging from the small and delicate, to perishables, to mass-produced consumer goods, to industrial packaging for heavy-duty use and large-scale manufacturing operations, packaging design requires a profound knowledge of manufacturer, distributor, and end-user needs. Further, packaging professionals need to consider the conditions involving shipping, including over-the-road, rail, and airline. Students will engage in the individual design and development of comprehensive packaging systems, including detailed specifications that address product protection, consumer usability, and supply chain efficiency. Emphasis is placed on integrating technical performance, marketing objectives, sustainability considerations, and regulatory compliance into the design process. Through applied projects resulting in written reports, learners will demonstrate the ability to balance innovation with practicality, ensuring that packaging solutions meet or exceed end-use requirements while supporting business and environmental goals.