How Important is Box Art

[StevenGuthmiller]

5 hours ago, bobss396 said:

I have always liked the box art, mainly AMT Trophy Series kits.

Oh, don't misunderstand me.

Some box art is fabulous!

But in the end, I'll never base a purchase upon it, or pass on a purchase because of it.

 

 

Steve

[StevenGuthmiller]

2 hours ago, Biggu said:

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

Well, I appreciate that Jeff, but in the end, even if I were building simple, straight OOB models, the picture on the outside of the box still would have no interest for me.

This is the only picture on the box that means much to me!

 

 

 

Steve

Edited August 25, 2024 by StevenGuthmiller

[Richard Bartrop]

It's whats in the box that's important.  Photos may not be as pretty, but I'd rather see what you're getting.  If you want art, buy a poster.

If anything, too much emphasis on the box art makes me suspicious what they're trying to hide.

 

[TarheelRick]

Nothing really exciting about this box art. But, I had many of them in my original collection. I enjoy good box art, but it does not influence my purchase. I purchase primarily based on the subject matter. Most often I will not build anywhere close to the box art anyway.

[Biggu]

And yeah , I certainly could have worded it much better, and should have. My bad and apologies for not being more clear, BUT I really enjoyed hearing your perspective on the question. Makes for a well rounded discussion. And I am happy we all don’t think alike, that’s what makes the world go round. Also I like to hear other’s ideas and thoughts as it opens my one track mind open up and learn something. This is a great sharing of thoughts , likes and dislikes. And you are right, Steve, in reality, it doesn’t matter. It is more about the subject matter and the vision of the build. I was once told , it’s about the journey not so much the end product. And , like most of you guys , I don’t build box stock either. Great conversation ….

Jeff

[StevenGuthmiller]

1 hour ago, TarheelRick said:

Nothing really exciting about this box art. But, I had many of them in my original collection. I enjoy good box art, but it does not influence my purchase. I purchase primarily based on the subject matter. Most often I will not build anywhere close to the box art anyway.

Yeah, I hadn't even thought of that.

Apparently box art was of very little importance at the dawn of the model car kit era.

The early boxes were pretty much all the same, regardless of what was inside, with only a small sticker or some additional print on an end panel to indicate the contents.

That was pretty much the norm from about 1958, through to the mid 60s.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Steve

 

 

 

[Ace-Garageguy]

Since I was a kid, just about every time I've bought a kit based on the pretty box illustration alone, I've been disappointed by the reality of the contents.

At this point in time, I've seen most everything, including oddball resin pieces and high-end short-run models, so I have a pretty good idea of what I can expect, no matter the manufacturer or how many times a kit has been repopped with different boxing, or how much a totally new release is praised...or condemned...online.

That said, there are some "nostalgia" pieces I've purchased specifically FOR the particular box-art, and the momentary time-travel rush I get from opening a NOS something-or-other I first held in my hands decades ago.   

EDIT: Case in point...these are some of my favorite box illustrations of all time, and I've bought these specific issues just for the artwork (and yes, I know the '36 Ford is the side-panel).

                        

Edited August 25, 2024 by Ace-Garageguy

[Engine 51]

This^^^^^ Well stated Bill.

[StevenGuthmiller]

2 hours ago, Ace-Garageguy said:

Since I was a kid, just about every time I've bought a kit based on the pretty box illustration alone, I've been disappointed by the reality of the contents.

At this point in time, I've seen most everything, including oddball resin pieces and high-end short-run models, so I have a pretty good idea of what I can expect, no matter the manufacturer or how many times a kit has been repopped with different boxing, or how much a totally new release is praised...or condemned...online.

That said, there are some "nostalgia" pieces I've purchased specifically FOR the particular box-art, and the momentary time-travel rush I get from opening a NOS something-or-other I first held in my hands decades ago.   

EDIT: Case in point...these are some of my favorite box illustrations of all time, and I've bought these specific issues just for the artwork (and yes, I know the '36 Ford is the side-panel).

                        

The only one that I EVER remember that actually grabbed my attention was the same Revell ‘57 Nomad that Tom posted.

Although I do remember quite a bit of excitement when I was a kid when a new one of these popped up In the stores.

 

 

 

 

Steve

[THarrison351]

I only know if what was on the inside in no way matched what was outside, a lot of purchases would never been made. Every Palmer kit ever made. And later on, RC2 let go a lot of models that did not match what was inside.

Edited August 26, 2024 by THarrison351

[Phirewriter]

Steve, are those Prehistoric Scenes yours? Those are some of my favorite kits from my misspent youth and still have most of them.

As an adult I don't think I've purchased a kit based on solely due to the box art however I do buy kits for my collection specifically for the art.

[StevenGuthmiller]

3 minutes ago, Phirewriter said:

Steve, are those Prehistoric Scenes yours? Those are some of my favorite kits from my misspent youth and still have most of them.

As an adult I don't think I've purchased a kit based on solely due to the box art however I do buy kits for my collection specifically for the art.

No, they’re not mine, although at one point, I believe I had almost all of them.

The jewel in the crown was of course the HUGE Tyrannosaurus Rex!

 

 

 

 

Steve

 

 

[iamsuperdan]

Although I can appreciate the artistry, I really don't care about box art. Kits can come in a plain white box with black lettering for all I care.

 

Having said that, crappy box art has deterred me from purchasing before. Look at some of those MPC or AMT kits; the ones that have photos of the finished model.

If the model companies can't build a kit and make it look good, how am I going to do it?

So I have passed on a couple of kits because of the finished box art.

[Carmak]

Good box art grabs your attention and acts on emotions to invoke inspiration, imagination, nostalgia and more.

As shown in this post, its “value” differs greatly from builder to builder.

I am rarely persuaded or dissuaded by box art when I buy a modern model kit (I typically know what is inside before I buy),  however I have a decent number of vintage boxes I have collected specifically for their box art.

My wife makes a calendar for me each year with vintage box art on it.

[Matt Bacon]

Well, this box art certainly helped me decide I wanted one of these kits...

best,

M.

Edited August 26, 2024 by Matt Bacon

[Muncie]

Box art isn't for us... Hobby shops have a range of customers from the regular customer that knows the products better than the help to first time shoppers. Let's say someone is going into a hobby shop for the very first time looking to pick up something to do that may be interesting - anything - could be a train, could be a Gundam, could be paint, could be an RC could be a plane, could military, could be a ship... Might be for a birthday gift for a grandkid that asked for a model car.  Model car box art is competing for customer's attention against all of that.  Model car companies are probably putting all that they can into box art.

Edited August 26, 2024 by Muncie

[mk11]

On 8/25/2024 at 10:49 AM, Richard Bartrop said:

I'd rather see what you're getting.

Agreed

 

Edited August 26, 2024 by mk11

[Richard Bartrop]

6 hours ago, iamsuperdan said:

Although I can appreciate the artistry, I really don't care about box art. Kits can come in a plain white box with black lettering for all I care.

 

Having said that, crappy box art has deterred me from purchasing before. Look at some of those MPC or AMT kits; the ones that have photos of the finished model.

If the model companies can't build a kit and make it look good, how am I going to do it?

So I have passed on a couple of kits because of the finished box art.

If anything, that just shows why photos are a good thing.

[iamsuperdan]

15 hours ago, Richard Bartrop said:

If anything, that just shows why photos are a good thing.

100% yes.

I've never purchased a kit because of the box art, but I have decided NOT to purchase a kit because of the photos on the box.

[Ace-Garageguy]

16 hours ago, mk11 said:

 

 

Geez Louise. That's almost as bad as Palmer stuff.

[Bullybeef]

Box art when I was a younger modeller was a pretty important buying factor, during the early eighties when I strayed off track and built armour and figurines Tamiya was my chosen for subject matter, most of the boxes were art and if there were any photos they were small and on the sides of the box, when I switched back to automotive kits in my later years again yes I was drawn to the subject matter by the box art! As
@Ace-Garageguy has demonstrated a couple of the kits that show that art was sometimes a particularly large buying factor. I have a limited number of kits in my collection of unbuilt that I have because of the art itself. By Subject matter alone do I purchase kits now as I’m pretty focused on a timeline period and buy for content. But every now and again I’ve purchased because of what’s on the box. 

[Ace-Garageguy]

21 hours ago, Matt Bacon said:

Well, this box art certainly helped me decide I wanted one of these kits...

Well, guess I gotta have one of those to accompany my 1/8 scale hot-rods.   

[webestang]

I LOVE BOX ART!!!!!..........but on VHS tapes not model kits. 

[NOBLNG]

Nice box art might entice me to buy a kit.? But bad box art won’t dissuade me from buying a kit.?

[Danno]

3 hours ago, Ace-Garageguy said:

Well, guess I gotta have one of those to accompany my 1/8 scale hot-rods.   

Are the fatigues optional?