Being asked to design a sustainable shoe box with multiple uses I undertook some research into the general market of sustainable packaging and shoe box packaging.
This is an example of the re-design of Macdonalds packaging when it became sustainable and used less waste product. It began to focus on its impact on the environment in the 1990s. This video gives a good overview of the project: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r9ejG83lrX4
When looking at shoe box design the biggest hit I found was Puma's 'Fuse project' They completely reinvented the shoe box and gave the packaging secondary usage. Link to an article: http://graphicartsmag.com/news/2010/06/reinventing-the-shoe-box
Nike soon followed Puma and released their packaging, still made from 100 percent recycled fiber, but it has been re-designed to reduce the fiber content by approximately 30 percent. Link: http://www.nikebiz.com/crreport/content/environment/4-7-0-case-study-rethink-the-box.php
These are just a few examples from the range I looked at. My recyclable shoe box design has been targeted at the young female audience. Its dual use enables it to be turned into a small dolls house or shelving for small ornaments. This is easy to assemble using cut and fold marks indicated on the box. (design still in working progress, not all folds figured yet) Minimal ink will be used so the consumer can decorate the box how they wish. The ink used will be vegetable and the cardboard 100% recyclable.
Click to enlarge
Working progress prototype 1...
I really like your idea and the fact that you thought about young audience. All your research backs up your design. Good use of materials. Fair play that you also did a mock up of the design. The only thing that is missing and it would be nice to have is the steps that you need to follow in order to create the doll house. Maybe inside the box?And the information should have clear signs of directions and folding, easy to understand for the young audience or parents (if they are helping them)
ReplyDeleteGemma - great initial ideas and brownie points for going the extra mile and making a prototype too - well done. Good backup research too as Andreea mentions - wholly appropriate refs and the broader the base of refs in these situations - the wiser and more rounded the solution. Good start Gemma..
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