Standard packshot photographs have a neutral white background and ground surface. For most products the front view is the most important and thus the standard. This is especially true with products were user interface or size is important like for example consumer electronics. 3D views and perspective are applied more with decorative products and clothing.

Here are three examples, click them to see their true size:

But what’s maybe even more important: their size. How large or how small are they? Compare their sizes by viewing them in true size. First try the Palm Pre. Then try the iPhone 3GS. Do you see the difference?

Now compare them side by side:

However, there are examples of size determination in architecture and product photography. As illustrated above, product photographers use other common products like coins, rulers or pencils to give the viewer an idea of the product’s size.

Architects use scaled models, maquettes or renderings to visualize and test shapes and ideas. In architecture, size comparison is often achieved by placing models of people or cars next to buildings and structures. The above image shows a rendering of The bird’s nest (Beijing, China) designed by Herzog & de Meuron with people as references.

Using references is a simple way to let viewers determine the size of products. An important thing to remember is to always use common reference objects like coins, credit cards and people.

The illustration above shows a rubber ducky without any reference in the first image. The second and third image show how a person as a reference can influence the perception of the size of a product.