Smart STicker Packaging Project
In the Interaction Design class of 2018, our team wanted to explore the topic of food waste through packaging design through a user experience and user interaction approach to research methodology. Food waste in general describes the growing issue of how food that ends up in the landfill is often still usable. Our team developed Smart Sticker Packaging as a way to address this issue from where we begin our relationship with food, starting from the grocery store to our homes. Our final project was presented with a panel of judges in the fields of design, design research, and user experience.
A prospective Look at Intelligent Packaging
The Smart Sticker Packaging works off the premises of intelligent packaging design which goes off the principle of incorporating technology into the packaging we use to improve the way we interact with our products. Our team designed a sticker that could be placed on packaging with a digital meter that measures ethylene gas levels that naturally are emitted from produce and fruits as they begin to age and decay. The various levels on the sticker indicate the suggested uses for the fruit or vegetable based on the amount of gas being given off. If the fruit or produce is at a point of no use the packaging will recommend composting rather than throwing it in the waste bin.
The sticker intends to give usage suggestions for produce and fruits throughout its life-cycle to help consumers know how they can use them more effectively.
The User Experience, research, and development Poster created for Smart Sticker Packaging. Smart Sticker Packaging is prospective in that it intended to look into a potential solution even though existing technology might not be able to address the needs to make it happen. With more user testing and exploration into more environmentally friendly materials, Smart Packaging could be a potential solution to preventing food and packaging waste from ending up in landfills.
