Major Project
3/2/2026 - 29/3/2026 / Week 1 - Week 7
Tong Min Xuan / 0362744
Major Project / Bachelor of Design (Hons) in Creative Media
Instrcution
We are starting a brand new project focused on blind box design. The idea is to create a series of cute collectible characters inspired by popular trends like Pop Mart. I want to explore a soft, playful style with simple shapes, pastel colors, and strong character personalities.
From my research, successful blind box brands usually have unique characters, a clear theme, and a sense of collectability. The “secret” or rare designs also make the experience more exciting and engaging.
For this project, I plan to develop a small character universe where each figure represents a different mood or story. This is also a chance for me to experiment with my own design style and create something fun, emotional, and memorable.
In this project, I was mainly responsible for designing the blind box characters, creating their 3D models, and producing physical prototypes through 3D printing, followed by painting and finishing to turn them into final products. I also worked on character-based illustrations and contributed to parts of the packaging design.
References
I decided to develop my blind box series around a cloud theme, adding weather elements to six characters. “Yuni” is inspired by clouds and human emotions, using soft, drifting forms as a metaphor for feelings that come and go, with each character representing a different emotional state and sense of quiet companionship. Therefore, I began designing the characters by integrating cloud forms and weather elements into each one.
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Character Design Stage |
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Poster Design We also designed a logo for the brand that reflects our playful, cloud-inspired style, helping to unify the visual identity across the blind box characters, packaging, and other design elements. 
 Final Logo
After finalizing the character designs, I started creating
individual character cards for each one, similar to the
collectible cards commonly included in many blind box series
today.
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Each character card also features a sentence on the back that reflects the character’s personality and expresses the core message of the Yuni brand.
As this is a complete blind box design system, We also expanded the project around these characters, including emoji, website design, and sticker design, with packaging design being one of the key elements.
For the packaging design, we developed both primary and secondary packaging. The primary packaging follows the common blind box format seen in the market, but we introduced unique design details and improvements to enhance both functionality and highlight our brand identity.
FINAL OUTCOME
Feedback
Week 1
Our initial project concept was recognized as clear and promising. We were advised to ensure the character designs aligned more closely with the brand tone. Regarding early packaging sketches, feedback suggested exploring materials and printing effects, not just graphics. We were also reminded to clarify each team member’s responsibilities to improve workflow.
Week 2
The color choices for our packaging were well received, but the font needed better visibility from a distance. Our preliminary market research and user positioning were appreciated, though more competitor analysis was encouraged. Time management was highlighted as essential to keep each phase on track.
Week 3
Our story concept and background were seen as creative, but small adjustments to character proportions and composition were recommended to achieve a stronger 3D effect. Experimenting with different materials was suggested to improve the tactile and visual qualities of packaging. Questions about feasibility, such as box opening and printability, required further validation.
Week 4
Sketches and 3D character models were positively received, with a suggestion to add more dynamic poses to make characters feel lively. For packaging, feedback recommended considering material hardness and selecting a softer yet sturdy paper. Team discussions were productive, but we were reminded to emphasize key innovations during presentations.
Week 5
Revisions to dieline design were advised, optimizing fold lines and print areas to improve feasibility. Packaging materials were encouraged to reflect both tactile feel and brand tone, focusing on the unboxing experience. Our 3D character models needed refinement, especially in details and expressiveness.
Week 6
Our logo was noted as not prominent enough, prompting adjustments in color or size to strengthen brand identity. Packaging materials needed attention for thickness and texture to ensure high-quality presentation. The prototype helped clarify direction, but more functional testing and user feedback were encouraged.
Week 7
Website design was approved for clarity and usability, though minor layout adjustments were suggested for information hierarchy. Secondary packaging ideas were creative but required careful material selection. Character designs were nearly complete, with minor color and detail tweaks recommended. Overall, the focus was encouraged on refining details for a visually appealing and functional final deliverable.
Reflection
This project has been an incredibly valuable learning experience, particularly in character design, 3D modeling, and creating physical prototypes. One of the biggest challenges I faced was managing my time effectively during a short semester. With tight deadlines, I had to make decisions quickly and stay highly organized, which pushed me to improve both efficiency and focus throughout the project.
Working on the Yuni series’ characters was especially rewarding but also challenging. Designing each character, creating their 3D models, and then sanding, painting, and finishing the physical prototypes required patience and attention to detail. Achieving the right proportions, expressions, and textures in a tangible product taught me how much effort goes into turning a concept into something you can hold, and I gained a lot of insight into the technical and creative aspects of model making.
Although I haven’t formally studied packaging design, I also took the opportunity to experiment with designing blind box packaging. This was both fun and educational, as I learned to consider not only the visual appeal but also usability, materials, and user experience. Exploring primary and secondary packaging, making dieline adjustments, and testing prototypes gave me a better understanding of how design decisions translate into real-world production.
Collaboration with my team and communication with the printing and manufacturing vendors were other key learning points. I realized that not all creative ideas can be easily produced, and I had to adapt my designs to accommodate material limitations, production methods, and practical constraints. This taught me how to balance creativity with feasibility and problem-solve when unexpected challenges arose.
Overall, this project has been a meaningful journey. I not only improved my character design and model-making skills but also gained hands-on experience with packaging and production processes. It strengthened my abilities in problem-solving, attention to detail, and practical design thinking. Despite the challenges and tight schedule, seeing the final physical products and a cohesive brand come together was extremely satisfying and motivating for my future creative work.
This project has been an incredibly valuable learning experience, particularly in character design, 3D modeling, and creating physical prototypes. One of the biggest challenges I faced was managing my time effectively during a short semester. With tight deadlines, I had to make decisions quickly and stay highly organized, which pushed me to improve both efficiency and focus throughout the project.
Working on the Yuni series’ characters was especially rewarding but also challenging. Designing each character, creating their 3D models, and then sanding, painting, and finishing the physical prototypes required patience and attention to detail. Achieving the right proportions, expressions, and textures in a tangible product taught me how much effort goes into turning a concept into something you can hold, and I gained a lot of insight into the technical and creative aspects of model making.
Although I haven’t formally studied packaging design, I also took the opportunity to experiment with designing blind box packaging. This was both fun and educational, as I learned to consider not only the visual appeal but also usability, materials, and user experience. Exploring primary and secondary packaging, making dieline adjustments, and testing prototypes gave me a better understanding of how design decisions translate into real-world production.
Collaboration with my team and communication with the printing and manufacturing vendors were other key learning points. I realized that not all creative ideas can be easily produced, and I had to adapt my designs to accommodate material limitations, production methods, and practical constraints. This taught me how to balance creativity with feasibility and problem-solve when unexpected challenges arose.
Overall, this project has been a meaningful journey. I not only improved my character design and model-making skills but also gained hands-on experience with packaging and production processes. It strengthened my abilities in problem-solving, attention to detail, and practical design thinking. Despite the challenges and tight schedule, seeing the final physical products and a cohesive brand come together was extremely satisfying and motivating for my future creative work.
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