Theoretical Package Design

In summer 2020, SCAD put on a virtual competition for design ideas around wellness. The topics was: How might we improve individual processing, coping, and thriving in times of uncertainty (during COVID-19) through emotional intelligence and curiosity? Working in teams of four, students and alumni could create anything they wanted over 48 hours. My team and I came up with many ideas, but landed on Emotionally Intelligent Packaging Design.

The idea was that people were doing more online shopping and receiving more packages than ever before, which meant an opportunity for creative thinking. We thought, “sure, everyone knows you’re supposed to recycle, but why not add more utility or even joy to packaging? We as designers certainly get joy out of lovely package design, but why not push it further for everyone? Why not provide stories, words of encouragement, or even fun craft kits as part of the design? How can we use what is already there (neither adding nor wasting anything) to help people cope and thrive during this weird time?”

In the 48 hour time block, we did user research (in the form of an online survey and phone interviews), created illustrations, graphic designs and mockups, and prepared a presentation which we gave to creative leaders at Amazon, Philips, AARP, Aetna, Starbucks, SCAD and more.