| Summary: | This Master’s thesis introduces and presents the term ‘Packaging Product Design’ which refers to a novel conceptual design approach in interdisciplinary design practices, integrating Packaging Design and Product Design. Packaging Product Design aims to provide an alternative sustainable design approach to reduce generated packaging material waste. This is possible by incorporating the packaging with its packed product to create an additional value in the form of a ‘packaging product’, lowering the probability of the packaging’s disposal.
The research investigation begins with a literature review which addresses the sustainability awareness in Packaging and Product Design. The novelty of Packaging Product Design is proven through the scarcely documented existence and implementation of an integrated approach towards the two fields under research. This gap is addressed through Packaging Product Design. The research continues with an embedded single-case study, which is derived from a methodical triangulation of the following: secondary research, survey and visual analysis. Through an exhaustive search in contemporary design developments, qualifying packaging products could be detected and identified. These identified packaging products were then thoroughly analysed to determine their characteristics, distinctive qualities and approaches. These analyses helped to create a feasible conceptual framework incorporating essential form specific and function specific approaches, together with assessment criteria, formulated to guide and evaluate the sustainable approach of Packaging Product Design. To corroborate its feasibility, a conceptual packaging product prototype is then developed in the form of a smartphone docking station, following the introduced framework and established assessment criteria.
Packaging Product Design contributes as a new viable sustainable alternative to current design practices in Packaging and Product Design, while enabling an interdisciplinary and exciting design approach for product and packaging designers alike. This approach will hopefully also inspire further, out-of-the-box sustainable interdisciplinary approaches and solutions, to solve the crucial global issue of manmade waste and contribute to a better world.
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