THE NATURE AS AN INSPIRATION TO ENCOURAGE USERS TO EXTEND THE LIFE OF PACKAGING
Year: 2016
Editor: Erik Bohemia, Ahmed Kovacevic, Lyndon Buck, Christian Tollestrup, Kaare Eriksen, Nis Ovesen
Author: Johansen, Linn Victoria; Berg, Arild
Series: E&PDE
Institution: Oslo and Akershus University College
Section: Creativity
Page(s): 114-119
ISBN: 978-1-904670-62-9
Abstract
Biomimicry depends on three key principles: nature as a model, nature as a goal and nature as a
mentor. By studying nature, there may be several answers to challenges that have already been solved
by nature. A growing challenge is that a lot of packaging gets produced and thrown every day. Few
studies have emphasized on the structures and construction of nature as a source of inspiration in the
design process taking the life cycle of packaging into account. Hence, the problem statement was as
follows: How can fruit structures be used as an inspiration to encourage users to extend packaging into
a long life product? The research methods consisted of a case study based on a survey, in-depth
interviews and an idea workshop. The results of the survey identified some factors consumers
emphasized when thinking of packaging, and acted as an input to the idea workshop. It was conducted
an in-depth interview with the development manager at Lilleborg, a company that develops products
for cleaning and personal hygiene. This collaboration gave a deeper understanding of the design
process of packaging while also identifying important factors for packaging. The idea workshop used
fruit as a source of inspiration and resulted in sketches of new ideas to the development of innovative
packaging. The conclusion was that this study expanded the understanding of how students can use
research methods and natural structures in biomimicry in their design education to develop long
lasting packaging.
Keywords: Product Design, biomimicry, packaging, sustainability, design process, Master students.