Objective
This activity aims to showcase how packaging actively contributes to enhancing consumer engagement with the brand and its values. It is part of the ‘REUSE’ circular strategy, with a focus on designing for longevity.
What to prepare
Time
- 1–2 hours of research: An important element for this activity is aligning with a brand’s values and DNA. This research can be done on a separate day so long as students come prepared with which brand they will align with for the packaging activity.
- 4 hours for the activity itself
- 5 mins for presentation per individual/team: Each individual/team will have up to 5 minutes to pitch to the class, or a curated group of teachers or other ‘judges’ you may want to arrange. Each team must decide who from their team will present and how to use the 5 minutes most efficiently. It is encouraged to have allocated time (5–10 mins) for ‘judges’ questions’ to ask any of the team to answer.
Tools
- 1 garment per team, preferably upcycled or reconstructed
- A variety of materials for the packaging prototype. We suggest asking your students to research and identify what makes good low impact materials for packaging. For example:
- Corrugated sheets
- Paper handles
- Paper cord
- Card / Board (white & brown)
- Paper
- Packing materials
- Selection of ribbon
- Tissue paper
- Paper
- Other tools to build the prototype such as:
- Scissors / cutters
- Measuring tape
- Glue / tape
- Needle & thread
- Pens, markers, pencils
Activity brief
This activity was inspired by a Redress Design Award challenge with Delta Global, a packaging company on a mission towards sustainability.
This activity showcases how packaging actively contributes to enhancing consumer engagement with the brand and its values, particularly in order to encourage them to love clothes longer. It is part of the ‘REUSE’ circular strategy, with a focus on designing for longevity.
You are challenged to design an e-commerce packaging prototype for a brand you have researched, using an existing upcycled or reconstructed garment. The packaging should reflect the ‘REUSE’ circular strategy with a focus on longevity, to encourage the end consumer to wear and care for their clothing for longer.
Credit: Redress
Working as individuals or teams, your prototype design will consider the following:
- Product performance: Consider the durability and stress points of the packaging and construction, as well as how it will protect the clothing during transportation.
- Consumer engagement: Reflect the brand DNA with a unique storytelling opportunity to connect and excite your customer in their ‘unboxing’ experience. How might your packaging influence consumers to keep the garment in use, and loved, for longer?
- Circular System: Design for longevity and consider REUSE as well as end-of-life solutions for your packaging.
Outcome
Your packaging prototype will have the ability to safely contain your garment, and will be designed to enhance consumer longevity.
- The prototype must use at least one low impact packaging material
- There is no minimum or maximum size for the packaging solution. However, teams must consider warehousing and global logistics to send to the end consumer.
About the Contributor
Delta Global is a packaging company headquartered in the United Kingdom, with office locations in Hong Kong and Shanghai. Their mission is to create less packaging for more brands through their four key pillars: luxury, sustainability, e-commerce and innovation. Delta Global partnered with the Redress Design Award for packaging challenges in 2023 and 2024 to educate Redress Design Award Finalists to solve a particular business challenge and foster collaboration. Find out more about how Delta Global is disrupting the packaging industry by visiting their website and downloading their reports.