Reading Response 6

1 – There are several ways mentioned by Hine that stimulate the desire to buy. One of these is the effect of package type on a consumer. For example, he talks about how ‘sophisticated packaging’ can give confidence to people in buying the item. It’s all about getting the consumer to get the package into their shopping cart. Hine talks about how a package can be presented with a predictable product. If a person knows what to expect in the product of a certain package type then they will be stimulated to buy it. For instance, if a package was touted as new and improved by a company you are familiar with, you wouldn’t hesitate before buying it because the package is familiar to you. Not only is it familiar by company but, as Hine mentions, it is familiar to what it is used for… when buying a package a consumer thinks about ‘How it would like?’ on a surface or any other place inside their house. If the consumer is used to having flowers on their dresser, then a package covered with flower images would seem familiar to them. Another way packages stimulate the consumer to buy the product is by the way they are presented which is with the intent to persuade. Hine talks about the various researches that have been done in the field of consumer psychology. There have been studies on how a package affects eye movement, blood pressure, and body temperature. Further research has been done on the houses of the consumer; all this in the hope to design a package that you will buy. Further research in package design is based on the specific culture of the audience (e.g. Japanese packaging is based on centuries of tradition to help with familiarity).

2 – Hine would see that I am a person who buys a package based on how popular it is. I tend to buy a lot of foods that are expressed as the American culture brand and, therefore, are very popular. Hine mentions several ways a package is pre-known by the consumer such as colorful print advertisements, thirty-second television minidramas (commercials), radio jingles, and a couple promotions. It is through these methods that a product becomes popular and so it is through these methods that I buy my products. Hines would infer that I am as common as a Heinz ketchup bottle. Because of my fridges commonlyness to everyone’s fridge, I am a Heinz ketchup bottle (plastic, not glass). This is based on what i found in my fridge in comparison with this excerpt. I buy common foods so i am as common as their package. This is what Hine might infer by looking into my fridge.

1. Packaging serves many roles when it stimulates a consumer to buy it. It affirms consumers in their choice by maintaining shape or confirms their choice by informing them of its contents. It entices with its colors and designs and remains inconspicuous by giving its contents prominence.
2. Looking at the packages around my place, Hine would probably make a number of assumptions. He would see that I like to save money by looking at the off-brand products that I have. He would also see, if he were to study my place over a period of time, that I am a creature of habit after looking at what products seem to keep reappearing. Also, he might consider what my single packaged items might infer, such as that I currently live by myself.

1.)Packaging stimulates people to buy the product because of how the consumers recognize and identify with the product. Packages that contain more information on them help consumers make educated decisions on which product they want to buy without even looking at the product itself. Packaging can also be nostalgic to consumers. If someone used that brand when they were a child and recognizes it when they are an adult, they might be more likely to buy that product.
2.)Hine would probably come to the conclusion that I bought products for several different reasons. Some products, such as certain food items, are generic or off-brand, simply because they are less expensive but still the same quality as a more popular brand. Other items are more popular and expensive items that are bought because of trends.

1. Packaging stimulates the desire to buy by the way a person as an individual looks at a product. Since each person has their own ideals about what they need and if a product coincides with those beliefs then the packaging has accomplished its goal. Questions like is this product able to be recycled or can I use the microwave to make it. All come from what it says on the packaging. Other things that are considered when buying a product is will the product easily fit in my refrigerator or cabinets, is it easy to hold or carry, and whether it has a shelf-life or has to be eaten in a few days.

2. If Hine was to size me up just on my packages alone he would probably say I am a person who like convenience. The reason for that would be my empty fridge and full freezer. The brands are random whether name-brand or not the one thing they do have in common is that most things can be made in a microwave or have a shelf life longer then two weeks. The other thing is that goes with convenience is i like to buy in bulk so not to have to go grocery shopping as much as possible. This probably is most noticeable by the huge bag of chicken that takes up half of the freezer or the bag of 36 rolls of toilet paper.

1 - Packaging stimulates the desire to buy by tugging at our will, playing with our emotions, and stimulating our imagination. We see ourselves with that product, triumphant in our quest for self fulfillment, but short-lived, for as soon as we see our next object of fascination we have a new quest. The packaging shows us what we want to see. Purity of the product, unaltered, undamaged, pristine in all it's glory. We treat it with a reverence as though priceless. Like the seductive siren, the package lulls us with our wallets drawn, rationality is moot at this point for we have already heard the call that beckons us to a promised utopia. Our very humanity works against us as our emotions drive us and our imagination draws pretty pictures of ourselves owning the product. Alas, it's all in vain, for as soon as we cast aside the pretty packaging, we finally see the product for what it really is. Just another device; dull, cold and lifeless.

2 - He would think that I'm am a very technological person. That electronics and entertainment are my main vices. As I look around my room, I can see boxes for a digital camera, an external hard drive, a xbox, a xbox 360, a PS2, and a DVD player. DVD's and video games line my racks, balanced by the rows and rows of books neatly arranged on the bookcases. He would say I like to splurge on my toys and devices, and he would be right.

According to Hine, a package can stimulate a consumer's desire to buy a product in a multitude of different ways. As a start, he talks about a package 'leading multiple lives.' He says packages are used to preserve and protect the item, as well as express valuable information concerning the product. He also says the package is 'a tool for speedy decisions.' Hine means to say that a package can help consumers shop faster, in that for some products we always buy the same brand and we recognize that brand by associating it with a particular package. Along those lines, Hine says that packages rarely change entirely. He says they may have a new and improved look but are still easily associated with the previous design. Also, the design of the package itself can inspire a consumer to buy a certain product. For example, Hine says a consumer might buy a product based on if its package is resealable or disposable. Thus, by providing consumers with information and easily allowing them to associate with a desirable product, packages stimulate the desire to buy.

If Hine were to have a look around my place at the packages which I have purchased, he would immediately be able to tell I am a college student. He could look in the pantry and see off brand vegetables, rice, and noodles. He would know that I purchase these items simply to save money on items I feel are less important to buy the name brand. Then, he would look in my room and see DVDs, stereo and speaker boxes, computer part boxes all name brand. He would surely realize I take electronic name brands much more seriously than food name brands and he would recognize that I search for quality and longevity from my electronics. He would also find name brand packages in my bathroom, and would recognize that I take personal hygiene seriously as well, and that I am set on purchasing products which I know work well for me and products I have confidence in.

1. According to Hine, packaging stimulates the consumer to purchase a product for multiple reasons. It might be the familiarity of the product that entices the consumer. It might also be what it stood for, such as the Heinz ketchup bottle. Consumers might also look at the product based on their wants and needs, a lot of packages provide such information. Packaging affects cultures in different ways. In American society, according to Hine we design our products in such a way so that they are just accepted. This was compared to Japan whose method of packaging is far more elaborate. They design their packages to be appreciated. They try to make their products appear hand wrapped in order to appeal to the masses. All these different methods have one goal; to get their consumers to purchase their product.
2. Honestly, when I look at what I purchase, Hine would probably see that I go for functionality more so over appearance. When I purchase things, I read them, and look at how well they work or I consider the health factor. He would be able to tell that I read the labels before I buy them. As a college student, it might be difficult to infer what I would actually buy. The reason is college students USUALLY try to purchase their products according to the best price. Depending on what category of products I'm purchasing is what determines how I evaluate them. Sometimes I do go for the label but not often enough to determine that I am a consumer of labels.

Packing stimulates the desire to buy by attracting customers with unique and interesting designs. They can also attract customers with features that customers like. For example, somebody that is concerned with the environment might be more prone to buy products that used reclyed materials for the packaging of the product. The packaging usually contains information about the product as well to help the consumer understand how the product works or any information that might help the consumer decide to purchase it. The design itself can sell the product when the package design is innovative and elegant. These types of products were mentioned in the article as being common for liquor bottles and perfume bottles.

If Hines were to come visit my apartment, he would probably see that I am not very brand loyal, and that I tend to buy products that are on sale. In addition to this he might notice that I buy lots of products that can be microwaved such as Easy Mac, Stoufers meals, and other easy to prepare dishes. He might also notice that I keep well stocked on things such as toilet paper, bar soap, etc.

1. According to Hine, packaging is the main catalyst that propels a customer to by a certain product. Without packaging, products are otherwise characterless and without an identity. By using vivid colors and useful information about the product on the label gives the customer an idea it effectiveness. Giving tidbits of information on the front of a box or can give the customer a comforting feeling that they were right in buying said product. Hine in his own words says that packaging "strives at once to offer excitement and reassurance. It promises something newer and better, but not necessarily different." This is something that a product with unassuming package cannot attain.

2. He would probably tell me that his theory holds true. Many of the things I buy have distinct labels and packaging, mostly name-brand items. He would probably also assume that I have fallen in line to the whole "packaged culture."

Besides protecting and preserving the product, making it easier to transport, and providing a uniform measuring of its contents, packaging also serves as a product’s surrogate salesperson. In order to effectively sell itself, a product’s packaging must appeal to consumers’ emotions and senses and convince them to buy the product.
Packages manipulate consumers’ pathos, linking their decisions to buy a product with their emotions towards themselves and their family. It also changes according to social trends and opinions surrounding healthcare and environmental consciousness.
While packaging changes in order to appeal to consumers’ thirst for progress and change, it also is careful to maintain a sense of consistency. While consumers will buy a “new and improved” product, they also feel comfortable buying their old, established brands.

I try not to be swept up in marketing ploys, but I fall prey to them as easily as anyone else. My refrigerator is evidence enough that my health consciousness has led me to purchase certain products over others. I’m more likely to purchase a product that says, “Higher in antioxidants!” or “Whole Grain!” I also buy orange juice with Vitamin D and Calcium in it, despite its higher cost.

1) Hine classifies the packages that the consumers look at as either an "old friend" or a "new temptation." The old friend being the product that the consumers stay loyal to, and the new temptation being a product that catches the eye and induces temptation, just as Hine states "Advertising leads consumers into temptation. Packaging is the temptation." Consumers look at how well the package is designed in terms of aesthetics for certain products, and how useful the packaging is for other products. For example, a visually pleasing computer case may get someone to buy the computer for their home, or chicken filets that are individually wrapped may seem very useful to some consumers.

2) From my refrigerator, he would probably see that I like healthy items, since a lot of the packages contain ads stating how little fat the item contains or the health benefits of different products. From everything else, Hine would probably deduce that I am a somewhat cheap person, since I buy more of the cheaper items rather than the items with "cool" packaging or the items that are name brand.

1. Packaging stimulates our desire to buy by giving us someone to buy from. Instead of the sellers of old marketplaces thrusting their wares at the customer, we now buy from packages. They offer a view of the product's image, information and nutrition, and how we need the product as consumers. The package simplifies our decisions by being stable. We see the off-brand label and we know it's cheaper, we see the familiar shape of a milk jug, or chip bag, or soda 2-liter and we know what's within. When new packages arrive we have to stop and wonder for a moment, but soon it's placed in order with everything else. A new brand with similar packaging, we file the new package away based on price, appearance, whatever, and continue on.

2. Hine seems to look at people being "packaged" as a by-product of consumer culture and our society. Checking the fridge of my apartment, one can see that my compatriots and I have mostly Kroger brand food. We have the staples of butter, eggs, and milk. each in bland and unassuming cases. More esoteric purchases such as tea and juice are in bright packages displayed in the middle rack. The condiments are arranged on the door in haphazard fashion, usually not even facing the inside of the fridge itself. Ketchup, mayonnaise, mustard, chocolate syrup, soy souce, barbecue sauce, they all have a distinct shape to their bottles that one could grab the needed condiment with half a glance.

1. Packaging stimulates the desire to buy for a myriad of reasons. One of the most common is familiarity. I think that the more common a label is, the more you want to buy that product. Another thing is what Hine referred to as “sophisticated packaging”. Some people want to look sophisticated and classy and buy the stuff that looks that way. As the old adage says, “you are what you eat.” Packaging makes you want to buy, because it helps you to know what you are buying. If you just saw a blank can on the shelf at Wal-mart, how would you know if there were green beans or corn in the can, or peaches, or tomatoes?
2. If Hine were to look in my cabinets, he would probably think a bunch of things. He would think that I have a lot of canned foods, but I am not afraid to buy the cheap off-brands. However, if he went in my bathroom cabinets, he would see a drastic change. I have a lot more of a branded collection, with Herbal Essences shampoos, conditioners, and mousses and gels. He would come to a conclusion that I care more about my hair than the foods I eat.

Hine claims that packaging stimulated the desire to buy by protecting, announcing, expressing, and helping people understand a variety of things. Packaging basically has its own personality that people are drawn to to help choose what they want. Sophisticated packaging gives people confidence. Packages promise perceptibility to help allow for quick decisions. Packages can personality and even a set of beliefs. In a way, packaging serves as symbols to a way of life. Some packages are culturally designed. The aesthetic quality of the package helps sell what’s in it.
Hine would see very little. He would see that I buy the brand that is cheap and versatile. The brands may differ, but the product is still the same. The packages are not flashy, but show detail. He would probably see the German style of packaging. Not much else could be inferred.

1. How does packaging stimulate the desire to buy, according to Hine?

Packaging stimulates the desire to buy in numerous ways. First there is the attractiveness of the container that has to stand out against all of the other packaging. It has to catch the eye but not be overwhelming. the packaging has to promise you something, be it "buying in" to a lifestyle idea or simply the product itself. Maybe the packaging could make you want to take a chance and try this product for the first time. Maybe the packaging has been the same forever and its steadfast image shows you the durability and longevity of the product itself. In some aspects packaging is all that matters. About an hour ago I went and bought some cold medication. Given the vast array of potential symptoms I felt like I was looking more at the boxes themselves than the products inside. There of course were obvious reasons to not buy some - I didn't want to get Nyquil otherwise I might have potentially fallen asleep in class.

2. Look at the packages in your refrigerator, your bathroom, or some other space. What inferences might Hine make about you based upon them?

He might be able to tell that I generally hate packaging. I hate the clutter and the space it takes up in my life. When I first got into backpacking I realized how much space is wasted by this stuff. When you are preparing for a long backpacking trip you want to cut down on every potential ounce of weight you don't need. Other than most of the time it not being even remotely useful, you have to carry all of the garbage with you on the trip both ways(well at least those who care about where they are don't just ditch their garbage at the top of the mountain). Food packaging especially is over bulky. Things put in cardboard boxes are excessively hard to manipulate in a tight pack. You don't want things that are too ridged or heavy.

1) According to Hine packaging stimulates the desire to buy by expressing favorable images to the audience or giving the otherwise characterless objects contained within them character and personality.

2) Based on the packages in my refrigerator, Hine might suggest that I appreciated simplicity and uniformity. Since most items in my refrigerator are boxed or stored neatly in the compartments of my refrigerator, Hine might suggest that I like products that fit into small spaces.