I know I definitely want to create a resealable package somehow, whether using a grip seal to close it, or being able to fold the package in a certain way so you don't have to add any more packaging. I think this will depend on what I can achieve at woodwork.
After thinking about the project a lot, I realised that it is actually quite hard to think about how to improve it other than using the resealable feature, so I decided to look at different areas and ask myself a lot of questions about what is needed and see what my housemates think of my ideas - they eat a lot of bacon and are afterall, the potential customers.
Shape
I started thinking about how I could reinvent the current packaging shape, as this would affect the shelf presence which is something the brief has asked me to do.
I thought about maybe having it in the shape of a circle, but that would mean changing the product and tampering with it more than is needed.
I thought about rolling the bacon up as this would save space, however when I asked for feedback people said:
'I like to be able to see the fat on the bacon and I wouldn't be able to when it's rolled up.'
'I think that's a good idea because it's something different and would stand out on the shelf.'So this is mixed feedback, and overall rolling it up would affect the functionality of the product which would probably put people off.
People wanting to see the bacon got me thinking how could they see each rasher? Maybe lay them next to each other than having them stacked? But that would mean more packaging.
I thought about the idea of a stand up pouch - this is common when using grip seal packaging. It would have shelf presence which is what the brief is asking for, but would it use unnecessary packaging?
What about thermoformic film? This would wrap around the bacon completely condensing the shape, which should in theory lower transportation costs - would this compromise the quality by getting squashed? And would it actually not suppress the shape because each packaging would be different sizes?
Resealable
This is something that I definitely want to do because it would keep the product fresh for longer, which will in turn improve the customer experience. How I would make this is questionable - do I need to know software which will be used in woodwork? Should I use a complex fold or add a grip seal? How would I make a grip seal? How would this affect the shape?
I saw a packaging for cheese in Marks and Spencer's and it appeared to have a film lid, but it was actually resealable, which is something I can look into.
Design
Could I use the plastic packaging to create a design within it? This could be achievable through vacuum forming. Could this have the logo on? Or be unique to each product in the range?
Should I use a sticker with the graphics on and place it onto the plastic? This would eliminate the use of an outer packaging. But then none of the packaging would be recyclable.
Should the outer card packaging fold around the packaging to slip on and off easy? Would this slip off too easy? Should it surround the whole packaging, or just part of it? If it covered the whole packaging this has more room for the design and would protect it, but is this necessary as people like to see the product? How about using transparent packaging then, and screenprinting onto it? What about if it was completely transparent packaging, with a printed sticker onto it? And by using the vacuum form to create shapes onto the packaging? What shapes would these be, how would they relate to the product and would the customer appreciate this?
Target Audience
I reread the brief and it says that it has a lot of loyal customers that have put a lot of trust into the brand - should I focus at other audiences? Or improve the experience for these customers? Or by improving the packaging and customer experience will this appeal to both of these anyway? I need to look at the pricing of the products so that I can truly see how much of a premium brand it is and how to design for it. I need to look at other premium food packaging to see how that is packaged in the current state. Also, Danepak are well established - how can I keep this aspect, and reinforce this aspect, to customers?
Range
Danepak have a range of products, and not just bacon. They have ham and pork too, all ranges of pig. How would my packaging idea be reproduced across these products? They have five different ranges of bacon - how will the packaging be consistent and at the same time recognisable.
Sustainability
I really wanted to use a recyclable type of packaging for the meat, but after researching materials used in meat packaging, I have found that I will have to find other ways to make it sustainable. I can do this by using less packaging and a compact size to make transportation trips fewer, and therefore cheaper and less fuel being used. By making it resealable it will also be more sustainable because people can keep the food for longer, and won't have to use extra packaging - resealable food bags.
Material
For the material I will have to use plastic as this is the only current safe packaging for fresh meat. For the outer packaging I can use recyclable card to print the design onto, as this will add to the sustainability of it, and is a good material to use for printing colour onto.
One thing I noticed when researching meat packaging, is that it should actually have a barrier for light because this can discolour the meat. The reason it is mainly transparent is because the customer can then see it. This is something I should consider when doing the outer packaging - perhaps having it wrap all the way round. I could also use a sticker to put onto the plastic instead of a card outer packaging around it.
What would be better for the environment - a small sticker which isn't recyclable on the packaging, or a card slot around it. The card would be recyclable but would be bigger, and the sticker would be a lot smaller. I think the card would be better, especially if it used non-toxic inks. But if the card had die cut areas, then this would increase wastage - but the aesthetic appeal would attract customers. And is there any point having a completely sustainable packaging if it isn't attractive and customers don't buy it?
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