Over the years of our collaboration, Paragon have leaned heavily on design as a differentiator in a crowded and utilitarian market. When they engaged me, the brief was to overhaul and unify the entire packaging system for all their cans and aerosol formats across all sub-brands (Dupli-Color, Balchan, Australian Extreme etc.). The scope included concept design, 3D renders and modelling for production, packaging structure, artistic and creative direction. A full visual identity was thus required create distinction & hierarchy between ranges & brands.

We started with workshops to understand each sub-brand’s identity, performance claims, and user expectations: heat resistance, colour matching, toughness, durability, visual impact (especially against competing brands in hardware stores or auto parts). From there came design systems that would work in production (print, spray cans, aerosol finish), while also being recognisable and coherent when grouped on shelf. We developed packaging templates that accommodated different can sizes, nozzle types, finishes (matte, gloss, metallic), and ensured that brand names, colour swatches, product descriptors, hazard and SDS info were clear and legible.

Art direction included developing strong 3D renders to visualise how cans would look under shelf lighting, ensuring contrast, colour fidelity, and the look and feel of materials (metallic foils, embossing, textured sprays). Product design tweaks were made so that the can curves, lids, and spray heads physically and visually aligned across ranges, reinforcing brand harmony.

As a long-term client, Paragon has since expanded their product ranges enormously, launching high heat lines, extreme protection, and specialty coatings, all drawing on the packaging system, templates, and visual voice established in the redesign. The outcome has been more consistent visual impact on shelf, stronger brand recognition among consumers and trade, and an internal production system that’s scalable and transferable.