Product Design Insight

Have you ever wondered how much work goes into producing the packaging we use everyday? From the initial brief, through to creating and testing the prototype, the feedback from focus groups, re-tweaks and production phase, there are hundreds of decisions that need to be taken before a product is seen by the public.

Year 12 Product Design students took part in a hands-on lesson last week which brought this design process to life.

To round off National Careers Week Head of Technology, Mr Bennie, arranged for the students to meet Nicky & Mark who work for a leading sustainable packaging solutions company. The product designers were looking for insights and feedback to help develop a piece of packaging for a quick service restaurant, or QSR.  

They showed the students a prototype and asked them to discuss how they felt the item could be used and who they thought could use it. The students talked about who they felt was the target audience for the item, which was an innovative piece of packaging for serving food. They were encouraged to hold and examine the packaging, and discuss whether they felt the product would be easy to use. As the packaging would be used to sell hot food, the class were overjoyed when an insulated box full of chicken strips, chips and sauces was produced, and they were encouraged to try the boxes out for themselves!

It was a fantastic opportunity for our students to see an item in the middle of the design process. One student asked why the boxes were plain white, and was told that this was so that those testing the items are not swayed by their perception of brand identity. 

The students shared some very insightful comments around the packaging and the lesson enabled them to gain a real-world insight into the design process, which directly links to the A Level curriculum.

Our thanks to Mr Bennnie for organising this wonderful opportunity for the students and for James and Nicky for visiting Charters School.