Smurfit Westrock
Spring 2025 Co-op | Design Intern
Merchandising displays and packaging team
In Spring 2025 I worked for Smurfit Westrock at their Burbank, CA location. Smurfit Westrock is a top company in consumer and corrugated packaging markets. I worked with the merchandising displays and packaging team, which specializes in structure design of sustainable displays and packaging.
My role consisted of:
developing concepts for new projects with the team
assisting the structure designers by altering designs per request of the customer using ArtiosCAD
modeling product for rendering in displays using Form-Z
creating instruction sheets for plant and retail assembly of the displays
mounting and cutting mock-up displays with the Kongsberg
below is my concept for a project I collaborated on
The customer moved forward with a similar concept. There are some concealed elements since this project has not gone into production.
OBJECTIVE
Create a gift box featuring a premium unboxing experience to wow influencers who may share it on social media. The box will hold Ole Smoky moonshine and whiskey and must withstand transit.
MATERIALS
Strive for sustainable materials including corrugate and molded paper, but open to vacuum form plastic if needed. Will include an outer shipper for protection.
CLIENT
Ole Smoky distills bold and flavorful whiskey and moonshine products. The brand emphasizes good times with friends, tailgaters and fellow party-goers with a rustic, vintage feel.
inspiration page I made for a collaborative presentation to show the customer our understanding of their brand
artwork for the individual pieces
I incorporated the brand’s color palette, persona, and visuals into the artwork using photoshop and illustrator.
Both product inserts are flood coated with their gold color. The box is flood coated black on both sides with many different brand elements surrounding it.
With this type of box the product needed to be secured. I decided to style covers like distillery barrels to incorporate a main part of the company’s craft.
die lines for all pieces of the box
I created the die lines in ArtiosCAD.
Both products have an insert and a cover. The covers are designed to look like distillery barrels.
This box was made of corrugated cardboard.
The main box and inserts used B-flute.
The covers were E-flute.
two layout options leaving open space for Ole Smoky merchandise to be included in the unboxing experience
a closer look at the inserts and covers
Individual whiskey and moonshine inserts with cross section supports for extra strength
White sample of the fit of the inserts and covers inside the box
Real product and insert to test fit
The unboxing experience is meant to be interactive and enjoyable for the user.
The removal of the barrel covers allows for an element of surprise with the unboxing.
The barrel covers are separate, providing a unique Ole Smoky keepsake.
final concept
interactive models of my concept | click and drag to explore