We all experience packaging that is hard to open without a knife, scissors and even teeth. Ergonomic researchers from the University of Wollongong provide an overview of a presentation about packaged food. Their study of packaged hospital food revealed some obvious results – much of it is difficult to open.
Lift that lid, unscrew that cap, pull that straw: food and beverage packaging has no regard for people with low dexterity. In hospitals it can mean missing out on a proper meal.
Many people are frustrated by packaging and have issues opening it. A series of 3 studies was undertaken with well people aged 65 years and over in NSW examining their interaction with routine hospital food and beverage items.
The researchers checked for strength, dexterity, time taken and nutritional status. The most ‘problematic’ items were – tetra packs, cheese portions, boxed cereals, fruit cups and water bottles. Most packs required greater dexterity than strength while some packs could not be opened at all. For example, 39% of subjects could not open the cheese portion.
The overarching message is the need for manufacturers to design easy to open packages. Packaging has an important role to play in food provision and if well designed, assist older people remain independent and well nourished.
The title of the article is, Lift that lid, unscrew that cap, pull that straw: the challenges of hospital food and beverage packaging for the older user. Alison Bell has published more on this topic, including a PhD thesis.
Accessible colours for packaging
Brands like to use specific colours to differentiate themselves from competitors. However, people with colour blindness aren’t able to appreciate the subtleties of brand colours. Branding aside, colour vision deficiency is more of a problem when it comes to understanding graphics and images that convey information.
Slight changes in colour choice can make a big difference. For example substituting magenta for red and turquoise for green. That’s because they have different luminance or reflections for the eye.
A study on colours for packaging also found the strategic use of contrasting colours was also useful for people with colour vision deficiency. A research paper titled, Ensuring Packaging Accessibility for those with Red-Green Colorblindness: A Case Study explains more.
The research paper includes images highlighting the way that people with red-green colour vision deficiency see products. The images show the importance of colour for this group and is likely a deciding factor in purchasing. More men than women have red-green vision issues. So, it is interesting to note the colours chosen for men’s products. There are clear links between this work on packaging and that of web accessibility colour choices.
Food packaging: A case study
Researchers use the case of opening a packet of flour. They looked at information, instructions, size, transparency, rigidity, shape, material, handling and opening features. These are all factors to be considered at the early design phase.
Usability and technical aspects of packaging design should be considered together in the design process. The title of the article is, “A Design for Affordances Framework for Product Packaging: Food Packaging Case Study“ in the Journal of Applied Packaging Research.
The Engineering Design Centre at University of Cambridge has been looking a packaging and product design for some time. Find out more from the book chapter Designing Inclusive Packaging.
Sustainable packaging with universal design
The resulting waste from product packaging is causing global concern. When it enters our oceans and food chains it becomes more personal. It’s also a personal concern when you can’t open the packaging without considerable effort or help. Packaging should suit both the consumers and the environment. So how to make packing easier to use and more sustainable?
A research paper from Thailand brings together universal design and sustainable design. The study looked at three main elements of packaging: what appeals to the buyer, level of environmental impact, and functionality.
They also considered disposal of the packaging. Using a fried chicken container the researchers developed a prototype to see whether universal and sustainable design principles could work together.
The article will be of interest for designers of packaging, including the graphic design. The title of the article is, Correlated Key Attributes for Sustainable and Universal Design: A Case Study through Meal Packaging in Thailand.
Packaging and arthritis
Arthritis is a common condition in the adult population. When it limits dexterity, ordinary everyday tasks become more difficult. Not least of these is opening packaging. Testing package design is often done using simulation technologies that impair hand movement. A study using the Cambridge Simulation Gloves evaluated product packages that looked difficult.
The title of the study is, Enhancing Package Ergonomics for Arthritis Consumers: A Case Study. The paper has informative illustrations.
From the abstract
Arthritis and limited dexterity affect at least 25%pf the US adult population. Consequently, there has been an overall increase in the interest about inclusive packaging. Inclusive packaging is designed to ensure the largest number of consumers possible can open a package without difficulty.
Not all packages have been evaluated for inclusive design. The goal of this study was to use the Cambridge Simulation Gloves to evaluate several representative packages currently on the market. The challenge was to redesign the one deemed least inclusive.
The common aspirin package was found the most difficult to open. It was nearly impossible to lift the seal while wearing the Gloves and it took the most time to open. The redesign process involved prototyping which led to a final design of a loop attached to the induction seal.
The study showed that decreasing the fine finder movements and increasing the gripping areas are the most useful changes to make.
Packaging Design for All
A similar study titled Packaging Design For All: Empathy as a Tool for Accessible Packaging takes a slightly different approach.
Abstract
Due to the increase in the aging population, there has been a rise in disabilities affecting motor skills. This has amplified the need for accessible packaging. Packaging design necessitates a deep understanding of one’s users and their specific needs. With the growing number of users with disabilities, a more empathetic approach is essential.
This thesis examines the integration of empathetic design within the packaging field, particularly in enhancing accessibility for individuals with disabilities. This thesis aims to decode how packaging designers conceptualize and implement empathetic design principles and their varying strategies to ensure that packaging is accessible to all users. The study is done through a semi-structured interviews with professionals from both research-driven and commercial backgrounds to determine the key challenges and solutions to implementing empathic design methods.
The study reveals a discrepancy between the broad recognition of empathetic design’s value in theory and its inconsistent application in practice. While research-oriented designers were found to integrate empathetic design more holistically, commercial designers often limited its use to areas with clear market incentives. The study identifies a spectrum of strategies, including inclusive research, iterative prototyping, user testing, regulatory compliance, and advocacy, to infuse empathy into packaging design effectively.
The research underscores a gap in the industry: the necessity for structured methodologies to embed empathetic design in commercial settings. The thesis advocates for the development of tools that facilitate the inclusion
of empathy in design processes, suggesting that empathetic design’s ultimate
goal is to inspire industry-wide adoption, thereby fostering inclusive packaging that caters to the needs of all consumers, particularly those with disabilities.