2. Project Overview Introduction & Product Analysis
Drawing & communication
Sensing abilities in robots
Programming Robots
Mechanisms and Systems
Designing new products & Packaging
Presentation and Rendering
Biomimicry
Concept Modelling
Concept presentations

3. LESSON 06

4. DESIGNING PRODUCT & PACKAGING SOLUTIONS
LESSON 6 STARTER
Learning objective: Learn about the importance of packaging for everyday consumer products. Develop a new product for a portfolio of similar products. Design a new product and packaging solution that is creative and innovative.
DESIGNING PRODUCT & PACKAGING SOLUTIONS
What is the purpose of packaging? Packaging has four key functions. They are as follows: Protect – packaging stops the contents from being damaged before it reaches the customer Promote – packaging engages with the customer, enticing them to purchase the product (sometimes instead of another product) Preserve – packaging ensures that its contents will not be effected by its surroundings prior to opening (mainly in food situations) Transport – packaging provides a container to hold (multiple) products inside during transportation to and from different places.
New words: preserve, protect, transport, promote.

5. Sensing Abilities of robots
Hexbug Packaging
Being a packaging designer Once a product has been developed and manufactured, graphic designers and packaging designers start work on developing innovative ways to contain the product, and feature it in the thousands of shops across the country. Look at the packaging solutions for each different Hexbug on the market below Question? How and why are they all different?

6. Sensing Abilities of robots
A look at packaging
Quick Analysis Take a look at the packaging in pairs and consider the following questions. 1. How did the design team promote the Hexbug as best as possible to the customer? 2. How did the design team protect the Hexbug to avoid damage in transport? 3. How have the design team communicated what the product is and does on the packaging? 4. How have the design team been slightly innovative in the design beyond a simple cardboard box?

7. Sensing Abilities of robots
Taking packaging apart
Pairs task: Take 1 piece of packaging, and in pairs try to “flatten” the card packaging without breaking or tearing it. What have you created? Now look at the clear plastic dome. How has it been shaped into this dome from a flat sheet?
A 2D Net A net folds into a 3D packaging solution and often uses glues or tape to hold it in shape.
Vacuum forming This process heats thin sheets of plastic, then forms them over a mould before cooling the new plastic shape.
New words: net

8. Sensing Abilities of robots
Vacuum forming
Quick facts on vacuum forming The process of vacuum forming is to heat a sheet of thin plastic which is sitting over a sealed container. This container, built into a vacuum forming machine, has a valve allowing you to draw the air out of it, creating suction because of the “vacuum” created (just like in space with no air). If the plastic (HIPS) is soft enough, by drawing out the air, the plastic will be drawn down into the space the air is leaving. If you place a solid mould or former underneath the plastic, as it is drawn down, it takes the outside shape of the former and creates domes like you see on the Hexbug packaging.
New words: vacuum forming, shell, machine, HIPS

9. Sensing Abilities of robots
The Nano packaging
The Hexbug Nano is a very interesting product, with very creative packaging. Design The packaging is designed to look like a test tube. This is to build a feeling that a “real” insect is being presented inside, and is a specimen of a rare creature you have caught. You slide out the trapped specimen by pulling the tab, and release it.

10. Sensing Abilities of robots
The Nano V2 packaging
The Hexbug Nano V2 is a in a similar way also creative and clever work by the design team. Design The packaging is designed as a tunnel, but hangs on a shop rail presenting the Nano vertically. The arrows inside the square section clear tube indicate a direction of travel, telling you this Nano is going to climb.

11. Sensing Abilities of robots
The common features of Nano packaging
Task: What are the common features of both pieces of packaging. Make a list on your worksheet of all the features of the packaging. Consider the list below to help you: - appearance - size - colour - symbols - text - logos - warning information - branding

12. Sensing Abilities of robots The Nano V3 product & packaging
Product The Nano V1 scrambles across a flat surface. The Nano V2 climbs up tubes. What would a Nano V3 do? Consider this question and come up with 8 different things a Nano V3 could do. Task: Sketch a design for your three best ideas, with details of how it will “do” this new action you have decided it will do.
How could we evolve into a V3?

13. Sensing Abilities of robots The Nano V3 product & packaging
How could we evolve into V3 packaging?
Packaging The Nano V1 packaging was a test tube. The Nano V2 packaging was a climbing tube. What would a Nano V3 packaging be? Consider what you want your best Nano idea to do, and develop some ideas. Sometimes the wackier the better. Task: Sketch three packaging solutions for your best Nano idea, with details of how it will protect, promote, transport and be innovative.

14. LESSON 6 PLENARY
As a class, let us consider the following questions? A. Why is packaging considered bad for the environment?
B. How could we shop and buy items without packaging?
C. What would be the issues if we had no packaging? D. What might make the packaging better for the environment?

15. Summary Today you have:
Learning objective: Learn about the importance of packaging for everyday consumer products. Develop a new product for a portfolio of similar products. Design a new product and packaging solution that is creative and innovative.
Today you have:
Learnt about packaging and why it is necessary for products.
Developed a new idea for the Hexbug product range.
Designed a product and packaging solution that works to promote, protect, preserve and transport the new Nano.