For the Packaging Institute at the University of Hasselt, Belgium, we presented this slideshare. It explains how a structured approach to packaging innovation can help in unfuzzying the fuzzy front-end.

1. THINKING OUTSIDE
THE BOX
@creaxnv
IN THE
PACKAGING INDUSTRY

2. This
is
a
classical
design
process.
A
lot
of
7me
and
effort
is
wasted
in
the
fuzzy
front
end
of
the
process.
The
front
end
is
unstructured,
but
very
important
for
product
development.

3. At
CREAX
we
believe
a
structured
innova7on
method
can
help
you
in
simplifying
this
difficult
process.
We
untangle
the
knot.
The
search
for
innova7ons
becomes
more
focused,
faster,
and
less
frustra7ng.

4. But
how
do
we
do
it?

5. Method by AULIVE
By
abstrac7ng
the
product!
First
define
the
proper7es
of
the
product.
At
CREAX
we
use
these
proper7es
as
a
checklist
to
force
our
product
in
all
possible
idea
direc7ons
and
thus
accelerate
the
innova7on
process.
Abstract
thinking
also
allows
you
to
find
products
who
share
some
of
these
essen7al
proper7es.
Study
these
products
to
see
if
you
can
learn
something
from
them.
Let’s
apply
this
method
to
packaging.

6. fruit juice packaging by NAOTO FUKASAWA
Method by AULIVE
Anyone
will
immediately
spot
what
this
package
contains.
This
banana
juice
packaging
is
a
part
of
a
series
designed
by
Japanese
industrial
designer
Naoto
Fukasawa.
They
all
have
the
look
and
feel
of
the
fruit
inside.

7. Dr.Oetker Pancake mix
This
boQle
is
only
par7ally
filled
with
dry
pancake
mix.
The
customer
can
add
milk
at
home
and
then
shake
the
boQle
for
the
perfect
baQer.
What
looks
like
a
simple
improvement
is
actually
quite
genius.
The
customer
does
not
have
to
measure
quan77es.
And
it
saves
washing
the
dishes.

8. Herbal Essences transparent shampoo bottle
Method by AULIVE
This
shampoo
boQle
is
transparent
to
show
its
content.
The
back
label
has
a
print
on
both
sides.
An
intricate
feeling
of
depth
is
created
that
enhances
the
product
and
the
brand.

9. VersaFlow assymetric opening for easier pouring
Method by AULIVE
The
VersaFlow
is
a
glass
jar
with
a
lip
on
the
rim
to
make
pouring
easier
and
less
messy.
This
example
shows
that
innova7on
does
not
have
to
be
complex
or
technologically
advanced.

10. Roller tray incorporated paint packaging by FLEXA paints
Method by AULIVE
This
paint
packaging
has
a
roller
tray
incorporated
in
its
lid.
A
small
change
that
didn’t
cost
a
lot
more
to
produce
but
had
a
huge
impact
on
user
convenience.

11. Most
first
aid
kits
are
chao7c.
If
you
finally
find
the
bandages
then
you
s7ll
have
to
open
the
package.
It
usually
doesn’t
work
when
you
can
use
both
hands…
so
it
probably
will
not
work
either
when
you’re
bleeding
to
death.

12. First Aid kit by Gabriele Meldaikyte
Method by AULIVE
This
first
aid
kit
is
organized
by
injury
type.
Furthermore,
the
kit
has
been
specially
designed
to
be
manipulated
with
one
hand
only.
A
pity
some
products
are
just
so
common
people
think
they
can’t
improve
them
anymore.

13. Superformula by JWT Brazil
Method by AULIVE
This
cancer
medicine
for
kids
is
packaged
like
a
secret
superhero
formula.
A
small
but
effec7ve
contribu7on
to
inspire
children
in
their
fight
against
“one
of
the
world’s
greatest
villains.”

14. HYDROPACK by Eastman Innovation Lab
Method by AULIVE
The
HydroPack
is
like
a
Capri
Sun
for
Disaster
areas.
Earthquakes,
floods,
tsunami
or
hurricanes
leave
devasta7on
in
their
wake
and
pollute
drinking
water
supplies.
The
HydroPack
is
a
forward
osmosis
filtra7on
system
that
can
be
immersed
in
contaminated
water
and
will
fill
up
automa7cally
with
a
safe
and
nourishing
sports
drink.

15. I
Squidsoap
Method by AULIVE
This
soap
dispenser
leaves
a
stamp
on
your
hand
when
dispensing.
The
stamp
only
fades
when
you
did
a
good
job
washing
your
hands.

16. Ripe sensor by RIPESENSE
Method by AULIVE
Ripeness
sensor.
This
sensor
in
fruit
packaging
shows
the
ripeness
of
its
contents.
A
first
example
of
many
smart
packages.

17. Temperature sensor by TEMPIX
Method by AULIVE
The
sensor
in
the
right
boQom
let’s
you
know
if
the
meat
was
cooled
properly
throughout
its
transport
and
processing.

18. Smart Lid by CHROMATIC TECHNOLOGIES
Method by AULIVE
This
thermosensi7ve
coffee
lid
turns
red
if
the
coffee
is
too
hot
to
drink.

19. COORS thermochromatic label
Method by AULIVE
Another
thermosensitve
label,
but
this
one
tells
you
when
your
beer
is
cold
enough
to
drink.

20. Expiring packaging by Kanupriya Goel and Gautam Goe
Method by AULIVE
Pharmaceu7cal
companies
are
also
devising
ways
to
make
smart
medicine
packaging
that
will
indicate
when
the
medicine
is
overdue.

21. IDEO Concept for expiring medicine
Method by AULIVE
This
is
the
same
idea
as
the
previous
one
but
it
uses
a
much
more
powerful
visual
language.
The
end
of
shelf
life
is
indicated
by
mimicking
the
spots
of
an
overripe
banana.
Who
knew
bananas
could
be
so
inspiring...
Check
out
the
next
part
of
the
lecture
and
learn
how
to
find
links
between
packaging
and
other
industries.

22. INSPIRATION
IS
EVERYWHERE
(FIND
THE
LINK)

23. Egg
cartons
have
been
made
of
molded
pulp
for
decades…And
there
are
a
lot
of
concepts
out
there
that
try
to
change
this.

24. Molded pulp packaging by Winepacks
Yet
molded
pulp
is
actually
a
great
and
cheap
way
to
protect
a
product.
It
can
be
applied
to
protect
many
other
breakable
products.
Wine
for
instance.

25. Molded pulp packaging used for DELL computers
And
even
precious
electronic
equipment
like
this
DELL
laptop.

26. Molded pulp packaging used for PUMA Smartphone
Even
smartphones
are
now
packaged
in
molded
pulp
shells.
The
packaging
looks
cool
and
green.
A
surplus
in
a
world
where
customers
are
ques7oning
their
impact
on
the
environment.

27. Easy tetra pack packaging for Tiense Suiker
Sugar
packaging
has
always
been
imprac7cal
and
prone
to
moisture.
Un7l
someone
no7ced
sugar
actually
flows
like
a
liquid.
The
step
to
a
Tetra
Pack
was
quickly
made.
The
Tetra
Pack
makes
dispensing
sugar
far
easier,
and
because
of
the
screw
cap
and
water-­‐resistant
material
the
sugar
is
beQer
protected
against
moisture.

28. We
know
2
types
of
cans.
The
lee
one
is
always
used
for
food
and
the
right
one
for
drinks.
Nobody
ever
thought
of
crossing
that
boundary.

29. Slyfox beercan
Un7l
a
brewery
in
Pennsylvania
made
the
perfect
beer
can.

30. What
could
we
learn
from
the
“la
Vache
qui
rit”
packaging
?
La Vache qui rit packaging

31. ONE
MORE
EXAMPLE
????
This
packaging
tape
has
a
cord
in
the
middle
which
makes
opening
the
box
more
convenient.
There’s
no
need
for
a
cuQer
so
you
can’t
harm
the
packaging
content
(or
yourself).
RipCord tape on Quirky

32. Parmezan Cheese packaging by Kolle Rebbe, Germany
Finding
the
link
is
essen7al.
Some7mes
the
link
can
be
found
in
your
industry,
some7mes
you
need
to
look
in
other
industries.
Like
office
equipment
for
instance.
This
parmesan
pesto
pencil
makes
gra7ng
cheese
much
more
enjoyable.

33. Anti theft lunch bags by Sherwood Forlee
The
opposite
is
of
course
also
true:
A
good
idea
in
packaging
can
be
translated
into
other
industries.
These
An7-­‐Thee
Lunch
Bags
are
zipper
bags
that
have
green
splotches
printed
on
both
sides,
making
your
freshly
prepared
lunch
look
spoiled.
Don't
let
a
s7cky-­‐fingered
colleague
or
schoolyard
bully
get
away
with
lunch
thee
again!

34. Anti theft stickers from Dominic Wilcox
The
previous
an7-­‐thee
idea
could
have
inspired
Dominic
to
make
these
rust
s7ckers.
Tired
of
having
his
bike
stolen
in
London,
he
designed
these
s7ckers
to
make
his
beau7ful
bike
look
rusted
so
that
passing
thieves
assume
it’s
not
worth
stealing.

35. Anti theft stickers from Dominic Wilcox
This
is
how
it
looks
on
a
bike…

36. Anti theft stickers from Dominic Wilcox
And
on
a
car.

37. It’s
essen7al
to
spot
good
ideas
across
industry
boundaries.
If
you
really
want
to
be
innova7ve
don’t
hesitate
to
shop
around.

38. SYSTEMATIC
INNOVATION
WWW.CREAX.COM
Inspired?
We
help
companies
with
their
innova7on
challenges.
problem
solving
–
product
innova7on
–
process
innova7on
technology
transfer
–
new
applica7ons
and
markets
Thomas
Valcke-­‐
Lead
Designer
t@creax.com
www.creax.com
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