Otterbox gaming packaging

Project Role: Lead Graphic Designer

OtterBox entered into the gaming realm in 2021; a fresh partnership with Xbox. Our task as a packaging team was to design components that aligned with our current core packaging while reaching out to the target gaming consumer. A key challenge unfolded around a specific product in our ecosystem: the Power Swap Controller Batteries. We quickly learned that confusion around assembly and how it functions was a barrier to users. As this was a new product in the marketplace, we weren’t able to assume that the consumer would have a base level of knowledge. I mean… does anyone read the instruction manual? After many rounds of refinement with our consumer insights analysts, industrial designers, mechanical engineers, and other cross-functional teams, months of collaboration passed and we landed on a final structure.

Now, as the inevitably hasty unboxing occurs, the users eyes are drawn to on-package instructions for assembly and use. Package design, as it turned out, unlocked successful usability of this product. Cheers to infinite hours of gaming.

This package was featured in Forbes and Cnet.

Images credit to OtterBox creative team, OtterBox render team, and Alex Motoc.

Lead Designer: Allison Rowell
Supporting Team Members: Kyle Bean, Allison Shinsky, Carly Smith