Special Carriers

Project 2

Goal: Create a gift quality carrier for cookies(at least 4)

Tools: Corrugated Cardboard and Olfa Utility Knife

What are the characteristics of a common carrier?

• Usually are made of very thin paper-like cardboard
• little to no adhesive used to assemble the box
• some have a plastic top to see what’s inside
• used for functionality(like a coffee carrier)
• sometimes designed to appeal to the customer
• also used for brand recognition

What items found at a store would benefit from an improved carrier? What are the characteristics of those items?

• any product with very plain/dull packaging
• baked goods/fragile items to better protect them
• unpopular items/less known brands

What are the affordances/limitations of the carrier materials/construction?

• limiting the amount of cardboard(bare minimum)
• 1 single sheet
• little to no extra space

How might the materials be used to address the needs of the items?

• functionality
• ease of assembly
• purpose
• complimenting the product

How might the carrier be constructed so that it’s useful/usable/desirable?

• protective design
• easy to use
• appeals to consumer

How might the form of the carrier align with what the carrier holds?

• similar shape/size
• windows
• recognizable

I purchased 4 big m&m cookies from AuBonPain and a bag of the mini chocolate chip cookies. I wanted to have some variety so I can experiment with the size of carrier I make. After thinking about a traditional carrier and looking at some images online, I found that the cardboard used for most is very thin in comparison with with corrugated cardboard that we are using. Some of the cookies that I purchased are kind of fragile so I need to make a carrier that you can easily take the cookies out without them breaking. I also am considering stacking the cookies in a tall and skinny container with a layer of separation between each one. Something that might be a little too advanced for my first packaging design is a tab at the top of the carrier that is attached to each cookie and when you pull on it the cookies slide out(like files in a file cabinet). The real question is how can I manipulate the cardboard in order to accomplish things and still have a gift-like quality.

During class, I investigated how to hold pieces of cardboard together without using adhesive. I made three different versions that mimicked the geometry of a belt strap. The first I made was 1.5 inches by 18 inches with only one slot. This model worked well but if you pulled on it, it would come undone. The second one I made was the same size, but this time I added a second slot so that it would be more similar to a belt. This one worked as well, however, it still wasn’t strong enough to hold a lot of weight. The third one I made was slightly skinnier then the other two and this time I put one slot on each side of the strap, so that I would have to weave back through both sides. So far, this strap was the strongest and did not come apart with a lot of force. Therefore, if I make some sort of handle for my carrier, I’ll design it similarly to this strap.

Sketch model #1: This was the first sketch model I made. With this design I was able to fit two m&m cookies and about 6 small chocolate chip cookies. The base was 6x6 inches and I added tabs on the side to hold it together. So far, this was the easiest way to make the tabs and they are hidden.

I used an exacto knife to remove some of the corrugation between the layers and the tabs fit nicely and held together without coming undone. Even though this method works well, it doesn’t respect the cardboard, so I eventually need to figure out a better way to attach the model.

Sep. 24

Sketch model # 2: The second sketch model I made used a lot of my cardboard. I cut out the triangles in the front so you can see the cookies inside. I wanted the flaps on the sides to fold down over the handle and I wanted it to be large enough to fit all four m&m cookies. Even though I liked this design, it used a significant amount of cardboard and there was a lot of extra space inside for the cookies to around.

Sep. 26

Sketch model #3: I wanted to figure out the best way to make a cylinder and to have a tapered edge to make the packaging more appealing. The first image shows all four m&m cookies and the second image shows the m&m cookies with the smaller chocolate chip cookies sitting on top. I had trouble finding a way to attach the cylinder together but next time I’m going to make a bottom to the cylinder so I don’t have to tape it on. I also want to create a mechanism that the cookies rest on and allows you pull on a tab so it’s easier to grab them. This shape clearly reveals the shape of the product, however there are other people already making similar designs so I want to go in a different direction so my carrier is more unique.

Sep. 28

Sketch model #4: I added the handle onto this model to make it more functional and easier to carry. The handle is a separate piece, but the next sketch model I make will incorporate the handle into the model so that it’s only one piece of cardboard. This was an interesting design but it’s difficult/impossible to figure out what’s inside without opening it.

Sep. 30

Sketch model #5a: I made this model slightly larger than the other pyramidal shapes so I could fit the cookies more easily. This time the handle is a part of the design and I was able to fit three of the larger cookies into the model. However, the handle is kind of awkward and doesn’t really fit with this type of carrier. As I continue to make sketch models, I might include cookies of different sizes to better fit this design. Ideally, I would want to have around six total cookies with each two being different sizes(getting smaller as they go up).

Oct. 2

Sketch model #5b: This next one, I wanted to stick with a similar design but have some cut-outs on the sides so the consumer can see the product inside. These windows were necessary to show the product inside. Reflecting on the handle, carrying this object is not very comfortable because the edges of the cardboard dig into your fingers. A few people suggested that I leave the handle cutout attached on one side so that it folds up and is more comfortable.

Oct. 4

Criteria

• clarity of form
• ease of assembly
• functionality/ease of use
• clarity of purpose
• engaging interaction
• craftsmanship
• objects as integral to carrier
• protection
• amount of material
• multiplicity/material
• purpose

Of the criteria we came up with in class, I think that the three most important are the functionality, craftsmanship, and purpose. The carrier needs to be strong enough to hold the product and also easy to transport. It also needs to been planned out and carefully cut to compliment the product instead of detract from it. Finally, it needs to have a purpose and reveal the object inside.

Oct. 8

Sketch model #6: Experimenting with a different type of tab and using a similar design, I was able to use the cardboard how it was meant to be used. These tabs are not ideal because they are quite long and not very intuitive to put together. I also worked with this model to create a more natural and shorter handle. It has an 8 inch base and so far can hold the most cookies, however, there is room for the cookies to slide around.

Oct. 10

Sketch model #7: I needed to improve from my 6th sketch model because it was difficult to tell what it was carrying. Shortening the tabs also helped, but it was still holding with friction in a few areas. Also, the sides are not as structurally stable due to all the windows.

Oct. 12

Tab experimenting: Instead of using friction to hold the pieces of cardboard together, I found a way to lock the cardboard together and hold a lot of weight. This first image was a test model I was debating on making. I wanted it to be a longer pyramidal prism where both side would fold down and the cookies would rest on each side. Even though I planned it out, it was not working well with only one piece of cardboard, so I had to scrap this model. Comparing it to some of my other models, I found that it used a lot more cardboard than was necessary.

Oct. 14

Sketch model #8: After getting some feedback from my breakout group, I needed to change the handle and find a good way to attach the model together. Instead of having a pointed top, I wanted it to be flat and have pieces that attach to the same side. I also wanted to limit myself to one piece of cardboard to simplify the assembly.

Oct. 16

Sketch model #9: This was one of my last models that I made. I started by making a top and bottom that attach to each other and then cut out windows on the sides. The only problems with this were that I needed a handle, and it was two pieces of cardboard.

Oct. 18–19

Aspects of Final Model

• 1 piece of cardboard
• decrease size of carrier
• incorporate a different handle
• create tabs to respect the cardboard
• more comfortable handle
• simplified design
• easy to use and load with cookies
• windows to show the product

For my final design, I was able to limit it to one piece of cardboard. I also incorporated windows on all sides and a simple handle cut out on the top. This models fits around six cookies that are three different sizes. I really wanted to incorporate a gradient of cookies, because this design tightly packs them together so they don’t move around. I was thinking about have a rectangular piece in the middle for the small cookies, but it would have over-complicated the design and would probably be a few pieces of cardboard. I struggled for awhile with the handle, but using some feedback from class, I left some of the pieces attached so it was more comfortable to hold. Overall, I’m very happy with how this model came out but there are always things that I could improve on this design.

Reflecting on my previous models, I think my accuracy and craftsmanship progressively got better. Starting out, I didn’t plan much of the design which caused the shape to not fit together as well as it could. I also didn’t really measure the tabs and slots in my first few models, but I began to learn that it’s really important.

Criteria for Final Review

Reflecting on my final design, I’m going to score myself on a scale from 1–10 on how well my carrier applies to the criteria below.

• Craftsmanship(8): improved from previous models, but it can always get better
• Protection of object (9): little to no extra space for the cookies to move around(different sizes cookies to fit the model)
• Assembly(10): one piece of cardboard and three tabs
• Interaction with carrier/object(8): simplified design and pretty intuitive to assemble and disassemble
• Appropriateness of form(8): very protective, comfortable handle to transport cookies, gift-like qualities
• Representation of object (6): I struggled with the a balance between uniqueness and representing the object inside so I added windows
• Enjoyment of carrier(8): the tabs lift out to create a more gift-like quality to the carrier