PackageRepublic.com: Passion for Packaging Innovation
The good folks at the London Studio in Wellington, New Zealand, recently sent us their latest portfolio additions. While normally we are more focused on package utility, functionality and usability, we found these designs refreshing and wholesome. In particular, we find the clever execution of sensory appeal aspects interesting. Well executed.
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We are big fans of the Raspberry Pi. We were able to repurpose an old iPod Shuffle package to a perfect box for Raspberry Pi’s $35 computer. Enjoy.
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Shown here in its Kirkland branded Costco version, but introduced by Walmart in 2008, this redesigned gallon sized milk jug remains as one of the worst examples of packaging design. The reasons that made this package so bad four years ago are still very valid.
A Bit of History
The original gallon sized milk jug has been around for ages, and for all of its shortcomings, it has served consumers well.
So, what drove Walmart to replace this milk jug with a horrible design? Cost of course, what else. But it was not so much the cost of the old package as it was its low distribution efficiency.
The old jug did not stack well in cold storage or during shipping, requiring dividers in-between layers on pallets. Also, due to its rounded shape, there was a significant amount of wasted volume. That’s where the cost was.
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It looks to us that consumers’ way of avoiding bottle deposit should not be an innovation domain. This simply shows that the deposit scheme is not working in some countries, and therefore it should be either altered, or removed altogether. For us, this is a big bust.
We believe in the countries mentioned in the video, Coke bottles are being refilled, hence the deposit. In this case, we believe this whole idea has little to do with the environment. Additionally, producing an additional plastic package for every bottle sold certainly does not help the environment.
©2012 PackageRepublic.com. All Rights Reserved.
Miller recently introduced a new can design that incorporates a breathing hole on top. This design allows the consumer to punch a hole at the top to reduce / eliminate gulping.
While this seems like a noble idea, we see numerous problems with this package.
Is Gulping a Consumer Problem?
The answer is a strong yes. However, this is the wrong category, and the wrong package. Gulping can be a huge consumer problem for family packs with sizes up to a gallon and beyond.
However, gulping is mostly a non-problem when it comes to drink-from packages and portion packs. Why is that? Because the consumer, using different drinking modes, can adapt to the opening to regulate gulping.
While gulping can indeed be a consumer problem in some portion packs and drink-from packages, gulping is a real problem when it comes to family packs.
Pierini Partners sent us their most recent package creation for Andes Beer for the Latin American market.
Christophe Guberan of Écal (University of Art and Design, Laussane) has developed a self-folding origami with potential package and multi-pack applications.
While the approach and the process are different between this and North Carolina State University‘s self-folding origami we covered in our previous article “Self-folding origami may have packaging applications,” applications are equally relevant and potentially easier to implement.
Details can be found at dezeen.com.
©2012 PackageRepublic.com. All Rights Reserved.
North Carolina State University has developed a self-folding material that may have packaging applications, especially in the multipack area.
This material may potentially be used to self-open or close packages and multipacks, bringing a new level of consumer convenience. Check out the video below.
©2012 PackageRepublic.com. All Rights Reserved.
We have previously reported on hydrophobic applications, non-stick coatings, and NeverWet.
Recently, we came across an article from Harvard that also has packaging possibilities. This particular coating, based on water repellent nano structures of a meat-eating pitcher plant could also be extremely useful in packaging.
Its applications can include not only helping viscous products (i.e. ketchup) pour faster, but also keeping package surfaces clean. Check out the original article here.
©2012 PackageRepublic.com. All Rights Reserved.
Sometimes, with all the branding bells and whistles companies put on their products, the purpose and the need for good packaging get lost. When we noticed American Airlines salt and pepper package used in their first- and business-class cabin, we were positively surprised. It is a beautiful and simple package that deserves a mention here. Sometimes, simple things are all we need.
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