Analyzing the Field of Packaging as Cultural Intermediation: A Bourdieusian Approach

Duygu Çubuk; Alparslan Nas

doi:10.70684/silet.1821091

EN

Analyzing the Field of Packaging as Cultural Intermediation: A Bourdieusian Approach

Abstract

Packaging is a crucial element that plays an important role in consumers’ purchasing preferences in contemporary consumer society. The phenomenon of packaging has a multifaceted identity with its technical, aesthetic, and cultural dimensions, which sometimes surpasses the product and can go beyond its traditional meanings. In this regard, the messages to be conveyed by packaging, which has cultural significance, are actively reconstructed by individuals involved in the design process. This study brings a cultural perspective to the phenomenon of packaging and discusses it through Pierre Bourdieu’s concept of “new cultural intermediaries.” Pierre Bourdieu defines new middle classes actively representing culture through media, advertising, popular culture, and other creative industries as cultural intermediaries. In this context, this study aims to explore packaging as a “field” from the Bourdieu perspective and to analyze in depth the relationship between cultural intermediaries positioned in this field, which is unexplored in the existing literature. In the study, which applies a qualitative research method, in-depth interviews were carried out between May 2023 and July 2023 with 11 people working in the packaging design sector in İstanbul, Türkiye. The interviews point out the classed and cultured dynamics of packaging by illustrating the making of habitus, cultural capital and symbolic power relations in the field.

Keywords

Pierre Bourdieu, Packaging Design, Cultural Intermediaries, Field, Class

Ethical Statement

This study was obtained from the Marmara University Social Sciences Research Ethics Committee, with decision number 2023-6/4 dated 08.12.2023.

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Communication and Media Studies (Other)

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Duygu Çubuk ^*
0000-0002-9883-1464
Türkiye

Alparslan Nas
0000-0002-1759-4357
Türkiye

Early Pub Date

July 27, 2026

Publication Date

-

Submission Date

November 10, 2025

Acceptance Date

June 18, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Number: Advanced Online Publication

DOI

https://doi.org/10.70684/silet.1821091

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA89EG44ZP

APA

Çubuk, D., & Nas, A. (2026). Analyzing the Field of Packaging as Cultural Intermediation: A Bourdieusian Approach. Sakarya İletişim, Advanced Online Publication, 153-166. https://doi.org/10.70684/silet.1821091

AMA

1.Çubuk D, Nas A. Analyzing the Field of Packaging as Cultural Intermediation: A Bourdieusian Approach. Sakarya Communication. 2026;(Advanced Online Publication):153-166. doi:10.70684/silet.1821091

Chicago

Çubuk, Duygu, and Alparslan Nas. 2026. “Analyzing the Field of Packaging As Cultural Intermediation: A Bourdieusian Approach”. Sakarya İletişim, no. Advanced Online Publication: 153-66. https://doi.org/10.70684/silet.1821091.

EndNote

Çubuk D, Nas A (July 1, 2026) Analyzing the Field of Packaging as Cultural Intermediation: A Bourdieusian Approach. Sakarya İletişim Advanced Online Publication 153–166.

IEEE

[1]D. Çubuk and A. Nas, “Analyzing the Field of Packaging as Cultural Intermediation: A Bourdieusian Approach”, Sakarya Communication, no. Advanced Online Publication, pp. 153–166, July 2026, doi: 10.70684/silet.1821091.

ISNAD

Çubuk, Duygu - Nas, Alparslan. “Analyzing the Field of Packaging As Cultural Intermediation: A Bourdieusian Approach”. Sakarya İletişim. Advanced Online Publication (July 1, 2026): 153-166. https://doi.org/10.70684/silet.1821091.

JAMA

1.Çubuk D, Nas A. Analyzing the Field of Packaging as Cultural Intermediation: A Bourdieusian Approach. Sakarya Communication. 2026;:153–166.

MLA

Çubuk, Duygu, and Alparslan Nas. “Analyzing the Field of Packaging As Cultural Intermediation: A Bourdieusian Approach”. Sakarya İletişim, no. Advanced Online Publication, July 2026, pp. 153-66, doi:10.70684/silet.1821091.

Vancouver

1.Duygu Çubuk, Alparslan Nas. Analyzing the Field of Packaging as Cultural Intermediation: A Bourdieusian Approach. Sakarya Communication. 2026 Jul. 1;(Advanced Online Publication):153-66. doi:10.70684/silet.1821091