SOUTHERN CROSS PACKAGING 2012
BREIF A – Accessible PackagingDesign Challenge

The challenge is to select an existing product/type of packaging that requires a tool, knife or scissors to open the pack and then create an accessible design that eliminates the need for a tool. For packaging to be accessible, it must be designed to be easy for the consumer to open and close, store and dispose. Everyone, not just those with arthritis, deserves frustration-free packaging.
Students should be aware of the consumer demographic for the product in designing the package.

Mandatory Requirements
Students must address and will be judged on the following criteria
- Read the documents listed below under “Additional Information”
- Consumers must be able to open and close the packaging solution without requiring the use of a tool
- Labelling must be legible in particular directions, warnings and expiry date. Click here to read more about labelling.
- Explanation on the design benefits and how the packaging will be accessible for all consumers
- The solution should balance cost, suitable material choice for the product and aesthetics with ease of use features.

Considerations
Students may wish to consider the following areas:
- What functional abilities (vision, physical dexterity, strength, and range of motion) are required for each of the tasks involved in using the packaging?
- Does the labelling ensure that consumers are aware of how to open the package and the contents? Are directions and warnings legible for intended, unintended and potential users?
- Can alternative designs eliminate the need for unusual strength, dexterity or range of motion in opening?

Materials
There are no restrictions on material choice. However, for the purpose of the Awards, mock-ups can be made from any material. Ie. If your design is to be constructed from glass, however you don’t have the facilities, please use more accessible materials for your mock-up and use your rationale to communicate your final design solutions.

Additional Information
One of the principles of sustainable packaging is that it is ‘fit-for-purpose’ which means it should be designed to meet market and consumer needs, including accessibility. Packaging has got harder to open in the last twenty years due to declining packaging sizes, tamper evident packaging and increased requirements on contents. Hard-to-open packaging is a health hazard and major cause of frustration and injury in Australia. As the population ages an ever increasing number of consumers will experience problems due to reduced eyesight and hand strength.

To learn more about accessibility, please visit these very useful documents:
Improving Packaging Accessibility – Click here
Readability Guidelines – Click here
Ageing Population and Arthritis Australia – Click here

My response was to create new packaging for orange juice, after seeing my grandmother have a hard time opening the small cap of her regular morning OJ.