How Important is Box Art

[Biggu]

Just throwing this out there, and I’m sure it has been asked before, somewhere ….. but I am curious as to what you guys think?  Does good box art encourage you to buy the kit, or does it give you inspiration for a build or diorama? And conversely, if the box art is kind of lousy or uninspiring, does it discourage a purchase  ?  I ask this as it seems to me , in this digital age we live in, the box art should be much more inspiring and exciting than it is. Back in the day box art was just that real art and inspired us young guys to part with our allowance or hard earned money. For me personally, I like good box art and on more than once it has persuaded me to buy the kit. I have noticed there is some really crummy box art these days. I really don’t like being too critical as I am no artist but shouldn’t it be the best we have ever seen in this day and age?  I’d be curious as to what you guys think. 
Jeff

[Greg Myers]

I remember when MPC released a Series of "Wackie Cars" with exaggerated custom parts. Guess I missed some of their best work at this time.

[StevenGuthmiller]

Nope.

Box art means absolutely zero to me.

It’s nothing more than a vessel to carry the parts.

I feel the same way about any product packaging.

It serves absolutely no purpose to me other than identification of what’s contained within.

 

 

 

 

Steve

[Matt Bacon]

I can’t agree with Steve. Growing up in England with Airfix through the 70s, Roy Cross’s box art was fundamental to the attraction and joy of the kits. I’m sure the same is true for folks the other side of the pond with the outstanding work of Brian Knight and Jack Leynwood for Revell. Sure, some planes need no introduction, but Roy’s “Bit O Lace” and “G-George” are iconic images even if a B-17 or Lancaster is familiar fodder. Our Classic British Kits IPMS SIG has done “Classic Box Art” diorama displays at the UK Nats twice in the last decade or so, and they’ve always been the most popular themes we’ve run, with hundreds of people coming up to chat about what those images mean to them. So I’m going to say the box art is a substantial part of the appeal of older kits to me. And Adam Tooby, who is the current Airfix box artist, is doing a great job of keeping up the Roy Cross tradition for a new generation.. 

best,

M.

[Shark]

I agree with Steve. If it would lower the cost, a plain white box with black lettering would suffice. I am sure most have seen box art that says the kit built on the artwork photo was modified or used additional parts.

[DJMar]

Back through the mists of time, when the standard AMT or Revell/Monogram kit was in the $8-10 range, I would say yes. Cool or interesting box art might make me pick up a kit that I otherwise would have passed over. Worst case scenario at that point? I spent $10 on something that would sit on the shelf for a few years, after I pilfered the wheels, tires, engine or interior parts for another build. I mean, let's be honest, a bunch of us were buying entire kits at that time, just for parts swapping. I know I was. Good times.

Fast forward to today, and box art has very little impact on whether or not I buy a kit. I'm much more likely to read multiple kit reviews, watch videos, and check out other builds before I consider laying down my cash for a kit. I'm a much pickier consumer, and that's not just because I have too many kits already.

However, before I became a diehard car modeler, I was very influenced by Monogram's box art featuring those cool military dioramas by the great Shep Paine. Yes, I was much younger, but honestly, those box covers had my imagination racing. Could I build that? I was all too happy to plunk down my hard earned chore money for the Monogram P-61, or that B-17, or the Hedge Hog Sherman, or the Panzerjager IV, just for the chance to find out. If there was ever a successful box art campaign in the history of plastic models, Shep Paine's work on Monogram's military kits in the 1970s has got to be it. That art made me buy every one of those kits.

 

[Biggu]

I’m in Matt’s camp ,  as a kid those Airfix box pictures spawned a huge imagination and many hours of flying Spitfires, B17’s and the Red Baron. Then when car models came along there was some exciting box art to fuel the imagination, and I guess it still carrys on. But if I’m spending $50 + for a car model and over $100 for a truck  and if they are going to put a picture of the subject inside the box, I feel it should be a well rendered representation . As an example of a rather suspect representation is the re-issued ( many times ) of the AMT Peterbilt 352 Coca- Cola edition. In these times when digital images are a regular thing, and AI and all that other stuff not to mention some actual folks who are really good artists we should always have a cool box top … jmho. 
Jeff

[Biggu]

15 minutes ago, DJMar said:

Back through the mists of time, when the standard AMT or Revell/Monogram kit was in the $8-10 range, I would say yes. Cool or interesting box art might make me pick up a kit that I otherwise would have passed over. Worst case scenario at that point? I spent $10 on something that would sit on the shelf for a few years, after I pilfered the wheels, tires, engine or interior parts for another build. I mean, let's be honest, a bunch of us were buying entire kits at that time, just for parts swapping. I know I was. Good times.

Fast forward to today, and box art has very little impact on whether or not I buy a kit. I'm much more likely to read multiple kit reviews, watch videos, and check out other builds before I consider laying down my cash for a kit. I'm a much pickier consumer, and that's not just because I have too many kits already.

However, before I became a diehard car modeler, I was very influenced by Monogram's box art featuring those cool military dioramas by the great Shep Paine. Yes, I was much younger, but honestly, those box covers had my imagination racing. Could I build that? I was all too happy to plunk down my hard earned chore money for the Monogram P-61, or that B-17, or the Hedge Hog Sherman, or the Panzerjager IV, just for the chance to find out. If there was ever a successful box art campaign in the history of plastic models, Shep Paine's work on Monogram's military kits in the 1970s has got to be it. That art made me buy every one of those kits.

 

EXCELLENT points. Nothing to disagree with there. I find I am doing the same thing. Interesting conversation

Edited August 24, 2024 by Biggu

[StevenGuthmiller]

I might have been somewhat influenced to buy a kit by box art when I was a kid, but I’ve been around long enough to know that it has nothing to do with the contents of the box.

I’ve seen some kits that have been re-issued numerous times, sometimes with nice box art, and other times with terrible box art.

In the end, I’m a builder, and what is depicted on the box can often have no correlation whatsoever with the quality of what’s inside.

Sure, some box art may be well done and pleasing to look at, but at the end of the day, unless you’re buying as a collector, you’re going to have to deal with what’s inside, and when I build something, my intention is to make it my own unique creation.

I’ve never done a “box art build”, and have no intention of ever doing so.

When I finish building the kit, regardless of the quality of the box art, the box is either going into the dumpster, or it will be recycled as a parts receptacle.

That’s all that it’s worth to me.

 

 

 

Steve

[Tom Geiger]

 

The art of advertising!  The "Somewhere west of Laramie" ad was considered the first automotive advertisement that brought romance and excitement to a car ad.  Prior to this it was all price, features and durability.  It changed everything!

Same with model kit box art.  As a kid we lived through the excitement of the box art. How many of us fell for this one? I know I did... several times!   It took that simple box full of parts and made it a real live exciting car to us.  Great box art sold a lot of model cars!

Still true today where the majority of kits are still sold to casual builders, people lured into buying by an exciting package. No different than food products or other goods in the store.  

[StevenGuthmiller]

3 minutes ago, Tom Geiger said:

 

The art of advertising!  The "Somewhere west of Laramie" ad was considered the first automotive advertisement that brought romance and excitement to a car ad.  Prior to this it was all price, features and durability.  It changed everything!

Same with model kit box art.  As a kid we lived through the excitement of the box art. How many of us fell for this one? I know I did... several times!   It took that simple box full of parts and made it a real live exciting car to us.  Great box art sold a lot of model cars!

Still true today where the majority of kits are still sold to casual builders, people lured into buying by an exciting package. No different than food products or other goods in the store.  

Too bad the kit wasn’t anywhere near as nice as the box.

Granted, advertising makes quite a difference as you said, to the “casual buyer”, but even with other items, such as food products, if you’ve been around longer than 15 minutes, we know that it has no indication of what’s within the packaging.

As an example, I know that I like Heinz ketchup, so It’s the product that I’m looking for, even if Hunts has a Van Gogh painting on the label, and the Heinz is in a crumpled plain brown wrapper, I’m still buying Heinz.

 

 

 

Steve

[Biggu]

Steve and Tom … excellent points. I’ve been fiddling with models since about 1964 ( oh GEEZ!!! Thats 60 YEARS??? ) holy. Does that make me old?? Lol. I totally agree as kids we were lured by the box art, and those Monogram dios by Shep Paine were light years ahead of most of our skills.  And it never really occurred to me that is was actually clever advertising until you guys just mentioned it. Huh. I, like moat of you guys do my research on line or on a forum such as this to see ‘whats inside the box’ as they say.  

[Brian Austin]

Most of us could live with plain white boxes, but they won't do well with the casual buyers and collectors that IIRC tend to be the target audience.

Interestingly enough, the vintage style hand painted scenes that many of us love don't show the actual contents of the kit, but the later boxes portraying the actual kits using photographs can leave us feeling uninspired.

There was a time I wished kits were packaged in pastry-type boxes with windows so we could see the contents.  ?

[Bills72sj]

I am kind of in the middle. While subject is the MOST important criteria, good artwork provides a bit more enticement. Particularly when illustrating the decals included therein. In my earlier days, the paint scheme often had an influence on my paint choice for the build. Nowadays, not so much. However, I am inexplicably drawn to artwork with patriotic red, white and blue paint schemes. I think it is just me.

[Jordan White]

Since I've been younger, it was a bit of a split between the subject or the box art. I remember the first kit that seemed the best of both: Revell's Gone Fishing kit with the Ramcharger. It's so simple, just a well built kit of two subjects that find cool in scale (Ramcharger with spare tire carrier! Bass boat with trailer!) on a plain beige fabric background. Plus, it's that good looking and only a "level 2" kit? Sold!

Edited August 25, 2024 by Jordan White

[rattle can man]

Now I just like box art to contain views of any optional parts, When I was more invincible (a.k.a. a teen. I'm not getting older, just less indestructible) box art did catch my eye sometimes and influenced my purchases more.

[Biggu]

This one I find very uninspiring and actually the more I looked at it the more uninspiring it became. Thus the reason for this thread. Like Steve , I knew what was inside and what I wanted and had a vision. 
But seriously this is not 21 st century art work. The paint scheme is just plain blah, no detail drawn or implied to the cab, wheels and tires way too small to even pass as somewhat realistic or to scale, the grille looks like I drew it , the head lights are woefully inadequate and the list goes on . I am not a rivet counter but if this is an advertisement on how cool this truck could look, then they, in my opinion have missed the mark by miles. I know they are getting their money’s worth on the Coke license, but could have  put a little more thought into it. And , no I am bot doing the Coke version. 

Edited August 25, 2024 by Biggu

[iBorg]

If its a mold I know, box art may not be critical. On the other hand if its a new to me kit, box art is critical. For example here's two Tamiya kits. Let's say they're both sealed and both are the same price. Which one are you going to take home?

[StevenGuthmiller]

5 minutes ago, Biggu said:

This one I find very uninspiring and actually the more I looked at it the more uninspiring it became. Thus the reason for this thread. Like Steve , I knew what was inside and what I wanted and had a vision. 
But seriously this is not 21 st century art work. The paint scheme is just plain blah, no detail drawn or implied to the cab, wheels and tires way too small to even pass as somewhat realistic or to scale, the grille looks like I drew it , the head lights are woefully inadequate and the list goes on . I am not a rivet counter but if this is an advertisement on how cool this truck could look, then they, in my opinion have missed the mark by miles. I know they are getting their money’s worth on the Coke license, but could have  put a little more thought into it. And , no I am bot doing the Coke version. 

At least it’s “actual” art work instead of retouched photographs of a mediocre build.

If you really want to talk about pretty nice kits with highly uninspiring artwork.......

 

 

 

 

Steve

[StevenGuthmiller]

5 minutes ago, iBorg said:

If its a mold I know, box art may not be critical. On the other hand if its a new to me kit, box art is critical. For example here's two Tamiya kits. Let's say they're both sealed and both are the same price. Which one are you going to take home?

In all seriousness, does it matter?

Neither one shows any indication of the contents, so it’s a wild guess in any event.

The box art could be a complete ruse.

We’ve all seen this reincarnation as of late.

Beautiful box art of a pretty suspect kit.

The picture on the box means nothing for all intents and purposes.

 

 

 

Steve

[Biggu]

13 minutes ago, StevenGuthmiller said:

In all seriousness, does it matter?

Neither one shows any indication of the contents, so it’s a wild guess in any event.

The box art could be a complete ruse.

We’ve all seen this reincarnation as of late.

Beautiful box art of a pretty suspect kit.

The picture on the box means nothing for all intents and purposes.

 

 

 

Steve

Probably doesn’t matter, Steve, but your pic has some ‘inspiration’ for an idea of a possible color idea and or a diorama idea. And you are absolutely right, it gives no real idea of whats inside the box , but it does spark some thought. I guess thats where I was going with my question . 
Jeff

Edited August 25, 2024 by Biggu

[Danno]

Box art meant much more and had more influence on purchases years ago. But, now, with the advent of the internet - particularly hobby sites and YouTube - box art means nothing. Not when one can virtually grok a kit in its entirety and personally assess the kit contents, parts count, and accuracy/execution of the molding, etc., without spending one's own dime. The value and desirability of a kit has absolutely no correlation to box art anymore.

Unless you're into art collecting.

Edited August 25, 2024 by Danno

[bobss396]

I have always liked the box art, mainly AMT Trophy Series kits. I used to have a display of them when I had a modeling area. Now they are boxed up. The box was a big hook to help me decide what to buy 50 years ago.

[Biggu]

10 hours ago, StevenGuthmiller said:

In all seriousness, does it matter?

Neither one shows any indication of the contents, so it’s a wild guess in any event.

The box art could be a complete ruse.

We’ve all seen this reincarnation as of late.

Beautiful box art of a pretty suspect kit.

The picture on the box means nothing for all intents and purposes.

 

 

 

Steve

Steve, I totally get your point, I can surely see why the box art isn’t a big deal to you , as your builds are out of this world. I have followed some of your work, and I can certainly see you have a vision and superb talents that no box art could come close to. And I guess that was the question,….. is if the box art motivates a purchase , a color choice, or inspiration for a detailed build… but in your case not so much as you have the gift of knowing exactly how  to produce a stunning museum quality model. I love watching your builds .

Jeff

Edited August 25, 2024 by Biggu

[StevenGuthmiller]

13 hours ago, Biggu said:

Probably doesn’t matter, Steve, but your pic has some ‘inspiration’ for an idea of a possible color idea and or a diorama idea. And you are absolutely right, it gives no real idea of whats inside the box , but it does spark some thought. I guess thats where I was going with my question . 
Jeff

Sure, but my understanding of the question was.......

 

19 hours ago, Biggu said:

Does good box art encourage you to buy the kit, or does it give you inspiration for a build or diorama? And conversely, if the box art is kind of lousy or uninspiring, does it discourage a purchase  ?

.....And I guess by now you know what my answer is.

 

 

Steve

Edited August 25, 2024 by StevenGuthmiller