Nazneen Yusof | Sustainable Packaging

A HOME FOR YOUR BRUSH A SUSTAINABLE PACKAGING PROJECT nazneen yusof & jhonatan martinez

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TABLE OF CONTENT.

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Young package 2016 competition.

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Packaging design.

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What about sustainable packaging?

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Deciding on a product to package.

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Anatomy of paintbrushes.

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Existing packages.

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Existing sustainable packages.

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Packaging: What isn’t working?

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Who are the target user?

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Some observations.

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Materials in need.

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How it’s made.

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Ideation stage

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Rendering stage

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Citations

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YOUNG PACKAGE 2016 COMPETITION. Design Brief: A Package with Secondary Use The main objective of the competition is to design a packaging that, when is opened, could then be used again as opposed to being thrown out. It is to allow designers to think beyond just packaging and withholding a product.1

Terms & Conditions The product will be assessed by looking at innovativeness, creativity, packaging ergonomics, functionality, easy user manipulation, environmental aspects, shape and originality of the idea.

The materials used should be polygraphically processed, such as corrugated cardboard, smooth and mock-up board. Besides that, designers could also use polypropylene films to incorporate into the design idea.

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PACKAGING DESIGN. The global packaging market The packaging industry is linked to the world economy as a whole. However reliant upon upstream industries for their raw materials, packaging converters have to cope with fluctuations in raw material prices, dependent upon levels of supply and demand.2

$485bil

32%

turnover in the global packaging industry

usa, canada, mexico’s share of global packaging

What is the importance of packaging design?

As humans, we are drawn to things that appeal to our visual nature. There is force of attraction towards things that interests us and catch our eyes. Customers are drawn to something that is well-designed. They develop an emotional attachment to the things they actually paid for.3

Simple sells.

Packaging is no longer seen to be just something that holds a product. It is also an emotional need. They are sought after and looked at before the content or the use of the products itself. Graphic and product designers play a huge role in this.

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WHAT ABOUT SUSTAINABLE PACKAGING? Issues that come with packaging Packaging products have brought on an issue that calls upon governments to take action. Some of the issues are economical and environmental. The high level of packaging production disrupts and destroys the ecosystem. The United States produces tonnes of waste to landfills and incinerators every year.4

71%

30%

1.8%

amount of products in the us waste stream

amount of only packaging in the us waste stream

increase in package waste from ‘05 to ‘10

The role of design in packaging Companies in the product industry produce more package for shipping without realizing. These companies do not bear the environmental impact of their sold products. Because consumers are the ones using them and that will determine what happens. Designers play a huge role in ensuring better product use.5

Criteria in sustainable packaging6 Effective: Fit for purpose Efficient: Minimal use of materials and energy Cyclic: Renewable and recyclable material Safe: Non-polluting and non-toxic

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DECIDING ON A PRODUCT TO PACKAGE. Artist and their need to organize While brainstorming on what product to design for packaging, we decided to focus on a package that could benefit users who are on the go. Painters are usually looking for ways to organize their things. While different people have various ways to organize their things, painters generally mostly store their brushes in a container that could put keep their brushes in an upright position.

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ANATOMY OF PAINT BRUSHES. Height of paint brushes 3/0 A Brush width 0.9 B Brush length 6.5 C Total length 183

2/0 0.9 6.5 183

0 1.1 7.0 184

1 2 3 4 5 6 1.3 1.7 2.05 2.6 38.5 3.6 9.0 11.5 14.0 16.0 18 20 186 190 195 200 200 225

7 4.4 23 230

8 9 10 5.3 5.7 6.5 25 27.5 29 230 230 235

11 6.9 31 240

12 8.7 33 243

How many brushes come in a pack?

Most packs of paint brushes common with an average of 8 brushes ranging in different lengths and widths. Paint brushes are also sold separately incase people are looking for a specific size that is not found in the pre-packaged packs that are sold in stores.

B A C

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EXISTING PACKAGES. A number of paintbrushes come with minimal or no packaging and are sold in bins or cartons at the point-of-sale. Many brushes have minimal packaging that includes only small cardboard packaging that does not run the length of the brush.7

Plastic bags (plastic film, polyethylene)I Pros

Can be recycled depending on construction of bag

Cons

Does not provide much protection for the brush bristles

Bristles are wrapped around with cardboardII Pros

Minimal packaging, recyclable

Cons

Does not fully protect paint brush

Bristles are wrapped with plasticIII Pros

Recyclable, Reusable, minimal packaging

Cons

Only protects bristles

Plastic paint brush coversIV

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Pros

Lengthens the life of brushes, fits any size brush, air tight seal, protective

Cons

Only protects bristles, not recyclable

EXISTING SUSTAINABLE PACKAGES. Eco-friendly packagingV • • • •

Eco-pro paintbrush Made with recycled nylon filaments 100% post-consumer recycled packaging Features laminated bamboo handles which are stronger than maple, lighter than oak, durable and provide a natural grained finish • Mixture of synthetic filaments and ecologically blended bristles is designed to provide lifetime use • Packaging is made from renewable and recyclable resources

Reusable packagingVI • • • • • •

Design is targeted to consumers that are into DIY activities Package can be used as a way to store the product Package can be used to store wet brush while taking a break Packaging is recyclable and reusable Strong reusable tube Can be used when traveling and to protect brushes

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PACKAGING: WHAT ISN’T WORKING? Packaging for paintbrushes • Packagings are disposable and are not worth keeping • The bristles get worn out if not taken care properly • The brushes require you to take care of them. A lot of existing packages do not provide protection to the bristles and or function as a package.

• They get thrown out after being opened.

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WHO ARE THE TARGET USERS? DIY Activity enthusiasts DIY has become a growing market it is a great opportunity to target at this specific group of artists. Many people who participate in DIY activities usually have a room or a specific area where they keep all their supplies and materials.

A lot of these people are also very organized with their belongings which is why our package design would be ideal for these individuals. The built in paint brush holder would allow them to easily store their brushes and to have a place where their brushes can sit while they work on their project.10

Beginner students & Learners The target market is for students and painters-to-be who are interested in starting with a few set of brushes. The product could present them with something personal and give them a sense of belonging with the product.

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SOME OBSERVATIONS. Personal thoughts • Companies do not pack their products with recycling or even think about it when it comes to their products which is why there has been an increase in packaging designed for disposal such as plastic bags, cardboard boxes, and plastic film.

• Packages are thrown away because they’re not designed for additional use.

• Only some packaging such as well crafted boxes & plastic containers are among the few that actually get recycled or reused.

• A lot of people keep packages for electronics and appliances in case they need to return it or for warranty purposes.

Apple iphone & macbook packaging • A lot of thought is put into the design of the boxes for apple products.

• Apple wants to create an experience when the user first opens their product.

• They go through a lot of prototyping and testing to make sure the packaging is perfect and to find the right design.

• While packaging may seem secondary to most consumer electronics companies, Apple takes package design very seriously.

• Apple’s packaging is elegant and reflects a thoughtfulness that most companies don’t bother to deal with.

• For Apple, packaging is more than how a product is nestled comfortably inside a box. Consequently, the user experience isn’t solely relegated to the device itself, but begins when a consumer picks up the box itself.8 9

Comments on apple’s package • A lot of consumers keep their iphone boxes because of the elegant design and because it’s built around the product.

• Many people repurpose their iPhone and Macbook packaging • Apple designs the packaging for their products, not separately.

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MATERIALS IN NEED. A number of paintbrushes come with minimal or no packaging and are sold in bins or cartons at the point-of-sale. Many brushes have minimal packaging that includes only small cardboard packaging that does not run the length of the brush.7

Polyethylene plastic (bags) Pros

Lightweight, mass produced, inexpensive

Cons

No protection, not all of them are recyclable, rips easily

Polyethylene plastic (case) Pros

Can be mass produced, inexpensive, provides protection

Cons

Not heat resistant

Cardboard (box) Pros

Can be mass produced, Inexpensive, sturdy material, recyclable, boxes can be repurposed, Minimal finishing required, light weight, good printing and graphic capabilities, available in various shapes and sizes.11

Cons

Easily damaged with water, gets worn out over time, short term us, minimal protection

Thoughts upon each material From what I found a lot of the materials that are currently used for product packaging is relatively inexpensive and can be easily produced. A lot of the packaging is also made with materials that can be recycled such as plastic and cardboard.

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HOW IT’S MADE. Manufacturing process of cardboard boxes12 1. The process of making cardboard boxes is relatively easy and also inexpensive.

2. All cardboard consists of three main components those being a flute which lays in between two liners.

3. Cardboard starts off as a roll of partially recycled paper.

4. From there the paper is sent through a machine which creates the flute which is a zig zaged piece of paper that is found in the insides of cardboard.

5. After this process a non toxic glue is applied so that the liners can be attached to the flute.

6. After this step the cardboard moves on to the cutting and perforating process.

7. Later it moves to the printing stage where water based paint is used to paint the boxes.

8. After this the box moves over to the assembly process where the box is built.

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INSPIRATION BOARD.

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SKETCHING FOR IDEAS. Developing ideas for simple ideas.

MAKING QUICK MODELS. Prototypes to look at form.

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OUR SOLUTION. The packaging is designed for artists paintbrushes. The product itself holds the amount of brushes that an artist would purchase but when it is opened, the packaging will also allow for them to store their existing paintbrushes.

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WHAT ABOUT THE PRODUCT. Hexagonal shape A top and bottom part that connects with one another able to contain plenty of standard artist paintbrushes Made out of cardboard. reusable and recyclable Sturdy and functional Cross section

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PROTOTYPE.

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We made a model to display how the concept could be used.

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THE PACKAGING DESIGN. simple and straightforward printed using environmental water based paint contains minimal disruption to catch the visual eye. printed directly onto the package Could be customized

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PRODUCT IN USE.

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CITATIONS. On sustainability and packaging 1. Young Package Terms & Conditions. (2015). Retrieved from http://ow.ly/3yzZtY. 2. World Packaging Organisation / PIRA International Ltda. (2008). Market Statistics and Future Trends in Global Packaging. Retrieved from http://ow.ly/3yzZ8L. 3. Importance of Packaging Design – Your Branding Doesn’t Stop with your Logo. (2013, July). Retrieved from http://ow.ly/3yA2dQ. 4. UPSTREAM. (2005). Our Throw-Away Society. Retrieved from http://ow.ly/3yA2qq.

5. Nunnery, Brian. (2010, October 12). Facts about Packaging. Retrieved from http://ow.ly/3yA2Xq. 6. Bredenberg, Al. (2012, June 28). Sustainable Packaging Basics: What Is It, What Are Its Principles and Where Is It Going?. Retrieved from http://ow.ly/3yA34D. 7. Gottlieb, Leonard. (1978). Factory Made: How Things are Manufactured. Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin Co..

8. Condliffe, Jamie. (2012, January 25). Apple’s Packaging Is So Good Because It Employs a Dedicated Box Opener. Retrieved from http://ow.ly/3yA85w.

9. Heisler, Yoni. (2012, January 24). Inside Apple’s secret packaging room. Retrieved from http://ow.ly/3yA87M. 10. Ruffin, Arial. (2015, February 11). ‘Do it yourself’ industry grows as upcycling gains popularity. Retrieved from http://ow.ly/3yA8c4.

11. Pros & Cons Of Corrugated Cardboard Boxes for Packing & Moving. (2015, April 17). Retrieved from http:// ow.ly/3yA9Qw. 12. Brown, Tim. (2014, September 18). How a cardboard is made. Retrieved from http://ow.ly/3yA9Pr.

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Links to existing products 1. http://www.createforless.com/Plaid-Paint-Brush-Super-Value-Pack-All-Purpose-25pc/ pid216009.aspx 2. http://bpando.org/2012/08/29/packaging-in-brief-blue-hawk/ 3. http://cargocollective.com/stephschulz/FRESH-COAT 4. http://www.amazon.com/Paint-Brush-Roller-Cover-Combo/dp/B00TR0C97Q/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1450372798&sr=8-1&keywords=paint+brush+cover+shark+tan 5. https://madfarmerinthecity.wordpress.com/2010/09/10/paint-your-apartment-green/ 6. http://www.kmart.com/px-2-1-2inch-eco-friendly-long-angle-sash/p-03020023000P 7. http://cargocollective.com/stephschulz/FRESH-COAT 8. http://www.amazon.com/Pieces-Perfect-Watercolors-Blending-Free-Holder-Sturdy-Tube-Free/dp/B00NCUG33I

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