Transmission of cultural heritage through sustainable packaging design: The case of Arslantepe

Packaging design is a crucial area of design that protects and preserves products from external factors, facilitates communication with consumers, and serves as an effective tool for advertising and marketing. Today's market conditions have led graphic designers to develop innovative approaches in packaging design in terms of form, content, and functionality. In particular, incorporating visuals related to cultural heritage into packaging for promotional purposes transforms these designs into powerful communication tools. In today's world, globalization has profound impacts on societies in political, social, economic, and cultural spheres. While these interactions can bring about positive developments, they may also lead to the weakening of societal identities and cultural values. Therefore, preserving core cultural values that bind society together and transmitting them to future generations has become increasingly important. During this process, the design tools and modes of expression used by the graphic designer have significant potential to create awareness. This study explores how packaging design, aligned with the principles of sustainability and upcycling, can contribute to the promotion of cultural heritage. Visuals inspired by the archaeological remains found at Arslantepe Mound, which is included in the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List, were applied to packaging designs. Moreover, by utilizing environmentally friendly and sustainable materials, an eco-conscious design approach was adopted.