Project Overview Introduction & Product Analysis Drawing & communication Sensing abilities in robots Programming Robots Mechanisms and Systems Designing new products & Packaging Presentation and Rendering Biomimicry Concept Modelling Concept presentations

LESSON 06

DESIGNING PRODUCT & PACKAGING SOLUTIONS LESSON 6 STARTER Learning objective: Learn about the importance of packaging for everyday consumer products. Develop a new product and packaging solution that is creative and innovative. DESIGNING PRODUCT & PACKAGING SOLUTIONS What is the purpose of packaging? Packaging has four key functions. They are as follows: Protect – packaging stops the contents from being damaged before it reaches the customer Promote – packaging engages with the customer, enticing them to purchase the product (sometimes instead of another product) Preserve – packaging ensures that its contents will not be effected by its surroundings prior to opening (mainly in food situations) Transport – packaging provides a container to hold (multiple) products inside during transportation to and from different places. New words: preserve, protect, transport, promote.

PACKAGING Hexbug Packaging Being a packaging designer Once a product has been developed and manufactured, graphic designers and packaging designers start work on developing innovative ways to contain the product, and feature it in the thousands of shops across the country. Look at the packaging solutions for each different Hexbug on the market below. Question? How and why are they all different?

PACKAGING A look at packaging Quick Analysis Take a look at the packaging of your Hexbugs and in pairs consider the following questions. 1. How did the design team promote the Hexbug as best as possible to the customer? 2. How did the design team protect the Hexbug to avoid damage in transport? 3. How have the design team communicated what the product is and does on the packaging? 4. How have the design team been slightly innovative in the design beyond a simple cardboard box?

PACKAGING The Nano packaging The Hexbug Nano is a very interesting product, with very creative packaging. Design The packaging is designed to look like a test tube. This is to build a feeling that a “real” insect is being presented inside, and is a specimen of a rare creature you have caught. You slide out the trapped specimen by pulling the tab, and release it.

PACKAGING The Nano V2 packaging The Hexbug Nano V2 is a in a similar way also creative and clever work by the design team. Design The packaging is designed as a tunnel, but hangs on a shop rail presenting the Nano vertically. The arrows inside the square section clear tube indicate a direction of travel, telling you this Nano is going to climb.

How could we evolve into a V3? PACKAGING The Nano V3 product & packaging Product The Nano V1 scrambles across a flat surface. The Nano V2 climbs up tubes. What would a Nano V3 do? Consider this question and come up with 8 different things a Nano V3 could do. Task: Sketch a design for a new Nano V3, with details of how it will “do” this new action you have decided it will do. How could we evolve into a V3?

How could we evolve into V3 packaging? The Nano V3 product & packaging How could we evolve into V3 packaging? Packaging The Nano V1 packaging was a test tube. The Nano V2 packaging was a climbing tube. What would a Nano V3 packaging be? Consider what you want your best Nano idea to do, and develop some ideas. Sometimes the wackier the better. Task: Sketch a creative packaging solution for your new Nano, with details of how it will protect, promote, transport and be innovative.

LESSON 6 PLENARY As a class, let us consider the following questions? A. Why is packaging considered bad for the environment? B. How could we shop and buy items without packaging? C. What would be the issues if we had no packaging? D. What might make the packaging better for the environment?

Summary Today you have: Learning objective: Learn about the importance of packaging for everyday consumer products. Develop a new product and packaging solution that is creative and innovative. Today you have: Learnt about packaging and why it is necessary for products. Developed a new idea for the Hexbug product range. Designed a product and packaging solution that works to promote, protect, preserve and transport the new Nano.