Solution 1:
Thinking back to my theoretical research I considered ways in which packaging could be stripped back to the bare minimum to not only make it less confusing but also create less waste once the package was disposed of, enhancing its function.
Both Dieter Rams and Antoine de Saint-Exupery practice a similar mantra stating ‘A designer knows he has achieved perfection not when there is nothing left to add, but when there is nothing left to take away.’ Making usability a key design consideration.
When there is less distracting clutter on the packaging it allows the product to speak for itself, and for the consumer to make a clear and informed decision.
The packaging would be made of a biodgeradable and ethically sourced material with the potential to use plantable packaging which embeds seeds in the fibers of the material.
The products would then be sold in a wide range of large-scale hardware stores such as B&Q, independent hardware stores, online and in various other outlets where you would typically find tools of this nature.
Feedback: This idea links well with my essay question and that it would be an interesting concept to explore seeing how far a product's packaging could be reduced down to. Some feedback I got was that excess packaging such as the plastic packaging around scissors is also functional as it protects children from potentially sharp and dangerous objects. Therefore I would have to be cautious with the adjustments I made to ensure the package was still fully functional for all it's purposes.
Solution 2:
A second approach of marrying form and function together would be to make the package functional in itself once it no longer contained a product. Similar to the TV package/stand by Tom Ballhatchet which I explored in my essay.
The packaging could either be kept and used as further storage in the workspace for items such as screws, clips and nails, or repurposed and used for a completely different item.
The initial packaging would have to be durable to withstand such use and would also rely heavily on the materials used rather than the actual design of the pack.
The distribution of these products would be sold in a wide range of large-scale hardware stores such as B&Q, independent hardware stores, online and in various other outlets where you would typically find products of this nature.
Feedback: The feedback I received from this approach was that it also links well with my essay however it might be harder to pinpoint the type of packaging that every separate individual would want to keep as some people wouldn't want to clutter up their homes, whereas others would form some sort of subjective emotional attachment to it eg. they liked the colour / had something in mind which they could keep in it. Therefore pinpointing and understanding the desired target audience would be more difficult for this idea.
Solution 3:
My third idea considers usability combined with form and the experiment conducted by Japanese researches Masaaki Korosu and Kaori Kashimura on the two identically functioning ATM machines. Taking content from an existing line of paint tins and other hardware products, redesign them so that it is easier to read, understand and compare with other competing products on the shelf.
When you go to buy a tin of paint, often you already know which product you want to purchase: the shade, the finish, the size. However finding it can be a challenge. Creating consistency between designs by incorporating a grid system and sticking to it will create a range that is easy to understand and use, ultimately improving the function of it as well as the form.
Feedback: The feedback I received from this approach was that it also links well with my essay however it might be harder to pinpoint the type of packaging that every separate individual would want to keep as some people wouldn't want to clutter up their homes, whereas others would form some sort of subjective emotional attachment to it eg. they liked the colour / had something in mind which they could keep in it. Therefore pinpointing and understanding the desired target audience would be more difficult for this idea.
Solution 3:
My third idea considers usability combined with form and the experiment conducted by Japanese researches Masaaki Korosu and Kaori Kashimura on the two identically functioning ATM machines. Taking content from an existing line of paint tins and other hardware products, redesign them so that it is easier to read, understand and compare with other competing products on the shelf.
When you go to buy a tin of paint, often you already know which product you want to purchase: the shade, the finish, the size. However finding it can be a challenge. Creating consistency between designs by incorporating a grid system and sticking to it will create a range that is easy to understand and use, ultimately improving the function of it as well as the form.
In regards of production methods, all materials used would be ethically sourced and sustainably produced.
My research showed that DIYers are exceptionally green-conscious. They are looking to purchase products that are created ethically, sustainably and possibly offer benefits to underprivileged communities or people groups.
The function of a piece of packaging of this nature is to store and transport the product -in this case, paint - keep it safe and fresh and then once used be discarded of. Through my research I found that lots of current paint pots, particularly the plastic ones are non-recyclable.
‘At the moment, plastic paint cans can’t widely be recycled, however your local household waste recycling centre will accept these and make sure that they’re disposed of responsibly.
At B&Q, we currently support a pilot scheme to introduce recycling for these containers, so that hopefully all plastic paint pots can be recycled in the future.’ - B&Q
Therefore I would make the pots from a metal or a plastic that is widely recycled, so that no waste goes to landfill. The inks on the packaging would also be non toxic and the labels themselves would be made of either dissolvable, plantable or biodegradable material.
The products would be sold in a wide range of large-scale hardware stores such as B&Q, independent hardware stores, online and in various other outlets where you would typically find tools of this nature.
Feedback: This idea has the potential to create a larger range of outcomes and explore a number of design approaches to make something which is both functional and nice to look at. It would be interesting to see how you could make a product like this stylish and appeal to a larger target audience.
Chosen Idea:
Prototype 3 is the one I am taking forward as it has the biggest potential for a variety of experimentation and exploration of a range of products, and consequential forms.
Taking inspiration from a number of DIY, and hardware inspired objects and tools I hope to create an informed range of packaging that makes DIY projects easier for everyone and the packaging representative of the entire demographic it appeals to, not just males between the ages of 25-35.
As we have established that people who take part in DIY are an even split between males and females and all ages, the packaging has to be as neutral as possible while enhancing the products to their maximum potential.
Investigation: Key Points
Which is more important, form or function?
Does improving the form of something (making it more trendy/ eyecatching / aesthetically pleasing) improve the function?
Can something be equally functional and aesthetically pleasing?
What do consumers want?
Could you make a range? Would this make it more functional?
Use of textures / different materials to help
Use of technology to work alongside products, keep a record of what you've used
Problem:
Feedback: This idea has the potential to create a larger range of outcomes and explore a number of design approaches to make something which is both functional and nice to look at. It would be interesting to see how you could make a product like this stylish and appeal to a larger target audience.
Chosen Idea:
Prototype 3 is the one I am taking forward as it has the biggest potential for a variety of experimentation and exploration of a range of products, and consequential forms.
Taking inspiration from a number of DIY, and hardware inspired objects and tools I hope to create an informed range of packaging that makes DIY projects easier for everyone and the packaging representative of the entire demographic it appeals to, not just males between the ages of 25-35.
As we have established that people who take part in DIY are an even split between males and females and all ages, the packaging has to be as neutral as possible while enhancing the products to their maximum potential.
Investigation: Key Points
Which is more important, form or function?
Does improving the form of something (making it more trendy/ eyecatching / aesthetically pleasing) improve the function?
Can something be equally functional and aesthetically pleasing?
What do consumers want?
Could you make a range? Would this make it more functional?
Use of textures / different materials to help
Use of technology to work alongside products, keep a record of what you've used
Problem:
Identifying functions of packaging, eg. environmentally friendly, sturdy etc.
Design/ imagery/ message can be accepted by one audience but may be rejected by another
Problems with the appropriateness of design
Solution:
Design a piece of packaging that is both aesthetically pleasing to look at, trendy, modern, covetable that is also more functional than any other designs on the market. (Hardware store packaging?)
Design/ imagery/ message can be accepted by one audience but may be rejected by another
Problems with the appropriateness of design
Solution:
Design a piece of packaging that is both aesthetically pleasing to look at, trendy, modern, covetable that is also more functional than any other designs on the market. (Hardware store packaging?)
My essay focused on the relationship between form and function in packaging design and how the form of an object can provoke an emotional and neurological response from the user and so an obvious practical response would be to produce something that combines functionality with beauty.
Idea - to create new packaging design informed by research from essay
Through my research, I found a lot of examples that had already been made that looked at this idea.
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