fortune 500 Razor PACKAGING Design Project

// sustainable luxury by turning packaging into accessories

Final packaging and brush prototype assembled without product branding installed. A translucent sleeve would typically be inserted inside of the glass, giving product and brand information while still displaying the razor. I am unable to share this aspect for the time being due to an NDA.

The tensioning ring doubles as a horizontal razor holder for drawers and cabinets. The original razor stand was vertical orientation only, an issue with some customers.

The base of the package doubles as an insulated shave bowl, complete with a textured interior and a compatible shave brush sold separately.

Proudly show off your new beer glass to friends after a long clean-shaven day.

Neatly pack the charger and some spare blades for a trip.

Developed as a fun addition to this packaging family is a separate shave brush that can be placed over the shave bowl for drying or hung by its looped end.

Fall 2019

This was a semester long project done for and under the supervision of a Fortune 500 company.

Missing from this documentation of the project are all graphic elements developed for the branding of the razor package. The primary element consisted of a translucent internal sleeve that goes inside of the transparent glass enclosure.

Presenting mid-term concepts

For this project we were each tasked with developing a packaging design solution for a luxurious razor product that would continue to set it apart from its competition. Our fully comprehensive project was based off of research, evaluation of our designs, and an iterative process. My particular approach to the project focused on extreme innovation and wild ideas to feed into a final solution that satisfied as many user, company, and brand needs established throughout the project. I wanted to do my best to bring unique ideas to the table while working towards a goal that satisfied the project objective.

My final solution aims to create a package out of useable products, satisfying customer needs, initial packaging impact, and sustainability concerns in one design. By using as much of the package as possible throughout the lifespan of the razor, and in some cases beyond, more material is kept out of the landfill. Easily recyclable materials means minimal impact when the time comes to retire the razor. Utility beyond expectation is not only a pleasant surprise for the consumer, but allows for more premium materials to be used in the packaging that otherwise would be unwarranted and extravagant.

This project as well as those of my peers were all well received by the company involved and helped strengthen a relationship being built between them and my school.

 

Process

Initial Research + Collaboration

Our project was kicked off with a series of research and information gathering activities. We had a project brief with employees of our collaborating company in person. In the following weeks we had a field trip to observe and understand current pac…

Our project was kicked off with a series of research and information gathering activities. We had a project brief with employees of our collaborating company in person. In the following weeks we had a field trip to observe and understand current packaging strategies at Target, Nordstrom, and other retailers, as well as a real user interview session. Classmates took turns in pairs interviewing volunteer men in our age group and demographic we were targeting.

 

Ideation Journal

I kept and filled a dedicated ideation journal throughout this project. I instantly sketched ideas as they struck me, keeping them loose and fast. This journal was only for me, and the sketches were barely that- more notes for me to remember and build upon what I was considering. I decided to share this part of the project because I thought it was an important part of what drove my radical thinking and innovation. For every major project since I have kept a journal for recording my thoughts that I would frequently revisit during dedicated sketching sessions.

 

Original sketches

These sketches have been edited to hide all branding. While this does not change the design from a functional standpoint, it does somewhat alter the aesthetics. Some designs feature prominent and creative applications of logos and lettering that are no longer visible.

Concept 1 - Rotational tensioning means easy release of the accessories and razor in one twist with minimal material. While complex and impractical, the idea I wanted to capture with this context was simplicity and astonishment in the opening and securing of the package. That spirit lived on in several of my ideas until I finally found a more refined and manufacturable method to bring that idea to life. This concept was well received by the corporate team overseeing our project as they urged me to continue trying to find the solution for this idea, which lead to a passionate trail of wild misfires that informed my final design.

Concept 2 - logos initially adorned the top and bottom lids. Elements of this design informed the final design, most notably the cap turning into a horizontal razor stand, the twist to secure concept, the idea of elevated materials, and more. I chose this concept to represent my ideation in the evolutionary chain of my final concept, though each of my three initial concepts played a small part in informing my final design.

Concept 3 - Logos were removed from the top and bottom similarly to Concept 2. A clear plastic sleeve was an idea that made it to the final design, however the sleeve in the final design went on the inside of the glass and served as a discardable informational sleeve that did not inhibit the feel of the glass material or its end of life use.

 

Concept 1 - Auto Wrap Case + Cup + Embroidered Imagery

Branding was hidden in these images.

 

Concept 2 - Key Inspired Design + Strong Shelf Presence

 

Concept 3 - pushing the boundaries of packaging

Branding was hidden in these images.

 

Midterm Presentation

P_G _DemoDay100719-1922-175.jpg
 

Final design - Package as Product

 

Components

 

Opening Experience

 

Final Presentation Posters

These are unbranded versions of the original posters printed in 36x24” format.

Final presentation poster detailing process, user persona, and business focus.

Final presentation poster detailing the function of each piece in the final design.

 

Final Prototype

 

Project Book

A project book submitted at the end of the project for our final presentation and documentation of our work throughout the semester.