Opal – Design Breakdown

I wrote a Twitter thread breaking down the Opal camera packaging design. Decided to design and animate some content to go with it.

For this breakdown, I'm lifting straight from the Shift Nudge curriculum...

✓ Typography

✓ Alignment

✓ Hierarchy

✓ Layout

✓ Space

✓ Color

Typography will forever be the cornerstone of great design. Opal is using "Roobert" from Displaay Foundry.

Choose a nice typeface.

Use font size restraint (they're only using two.)

Write good copy.

Alignment issues will cause your designs to feel off balance.

Opal is using super strong left alignment with the body of the camera, the instructions, and the brand name.

They're also aligning the cord container with the right side of the camera.

Hierarchy can be somewhat illusive to achieve properly because so many things can affect it.

Scale, position, negative space, color, and more can all change perceived hierarchy. Opal does a great job anchoring the hierarchy of the camera, the call to action, and the brand name.

"Layout connectors" are a great framework for creating overall balance in your designs. Each connection point creates an anchor for your composition. Without these your designs will feel slapped together.

This is a super practical mental model for how to properly use a grid.

Negative space is design oxygen.

Give special thought and care to the margins and padding of your designs. The Opal spacing is consistent, appropriate, and breathable. Sometimes it helps to imagine pouring water in between objects.

How would it flow?

Color is powerful.

Since the Opal packaging is mostly black (love it) the yellow REALLY pops. This is their call to action. Lift the yellow tab to begin. Yellow has been defined as "action."