My Role
Designer — UX, Packaging, & Graphic
Researcher & Concept Artist
Designer — UX, Packaging, & Graphic
Researcher & Concept Artist
Timeline
June 2023 — 1 Week
June 2023 — 1 Week
Programs
Adobe Illustrator
Adobe Photoshop
Clip Studio Paint
Adobe Illustrator
Adobe Photoshop
Clip Studio Paint
PROJECT BRIEF
Prompt
Develop a design solution for a sustainable issue within an existing brand or product.
Develop a design solution for a sustainable issue within an existing brand or product.
Subject Matter
CeraVe (Skincare Brand) — Facial Cleanser
CeraVe (Skincare Brand) — Facial Cleanser
Problem
CeraVe is a widely recognizable and accessible skincare brand with a large consumer base. Its facial cleanser packaging relies on materials that can be difficult to recycle, contributing to unnecessary packaging waste and environmental impact.
CeraVe is a widely recognizable and accessible skincare brand with a large consumer base. Its facial cleanser packaging relies on materials that can be difficult to recycle, contributing to unnecessary packaging waste and environmental impact.
Solution
I designed a reusable and recyclable alternative to CeraVe's existing facial cleanser packaging. This alternative focuses on sustainable materials and daily convenience.
I designed a reusable and recyclable alternative to CeraVe's existing facial cleanser packaging. This alternative focuses on sustainable materials and daily convenience.
This is a conceptual design project based on introductory research into consumer needs, existing packaging, and sustainable materials. The proposed solution has not been professionally tested for manufacturing, material performance, or feasibility.
PROJECT TIMELINE
June 19, 2023 - June 25, 2023
Phase 1: Research
Company Research
It's important that I researched CeraVe to keep brand consistency.
CeraVe's Brand Tone: informative, accessible, inclusive, low-profile, and affordable.
Packaging Designs I Noticed: Minimalistic design. No refill packs, so when consumers finish their products, they need to purchase a brand-new product. Packaging goes to waste.
It's important that I researched CeraVe to keep brand consistency.
CeraVe's Brand Tone: informative, accessible, inclusive, low-profile, and affordable.
Packaging Designs I Noticed: Minimalistic design. No refill packs, so when consumers finish their products, they need to purchase a brand-new product. Packaging goes to waste.
How can sustainable packaging benefit the company?
• Promotes a good cause.
• Helps the environment by lessening the amount of plastic used.
• Works well with their motive of simple packaging design and focus on helping the Earth.
• Attracts more consumers, especially those who (1) refuse to buy from a company that is not environmentally friendly and/or (2) are interested in skincare that looks aesthetically pleasing.
• Promotes a good cause.
• Helps the environment by lessening the amount of plastic used.
• Works well with their motive of simple packaging design and focus on helping the Earth.
• Attracts more consumers, especially those who (1) refuse to buy from a company that is not environmentally friendly and/or (2) are interested in skincare that looks aesthetically pleasing.
Industry Research
I also conducted research on sustainable packaging trends in the skincare industry to understand what materials are typically used and ideal for these types of products.
I also conducted research on sustainable packaging trends in the skincare industry to understand what materials are typically used and ideal for these types of products.
Korean & Japanese Skincare
Korean & Japanese skincare are a good example of simple packaging and sustainability. The major of Korean and Japanese brands are eco-conscious. Because of these reasons, their product's popularity are on the rise.
Korean & Japanese skincare are a good example of simple packaging and sustainability. The major of Korean and Japanese brands are eco-conscious. Because of these reasons, their product's popularity are on the rise.
Examples: Abib, ANUA, AXIS-Y
Packaging Designs I Noticed:
Recyclable materials / Refill packs to continue using the same bottle / Minimalistic print (mainly text, little to no images).
Recyclable materials / Refill packs to continue using the same bottle / Minimalistic print (mainly text, little to no images).
Phase 2: Design Development
Package Materials
Virgin Kraft Paper
• Helps reduce the body weight of packaging.
• Helps CeraVe's packaging not entirely be made out of plastic material.
• Helps reduce the body weight of packaging.
• Helps CeraVe's packaging not entirely be made out of plastic material.
Biaxially-oriented Polypropylene (BOPP) & Polypropylene Plastic (PP)
• Some of the safer plastics.
• BPA-free and recyclable.
• Expands shelf-life and can help hold liquids, since kraft paper can't.
• Popularly used in cosmetic and skincare packaging.
• Some of the safer plastics.
• BPA-free and recyclable.
• Expands shelf-life and can help hold liquids, since kraft paper can't.
• Popularly used in cosmetic and skincare packaging.
How would it be constructed?
• Virgin Kraft Paper will be the outermost layer - what consumers can see.
• The plastics (BOPP and PP) are underneath as an inner, thin layer. It will hold the amount of fluid that the original bottom can safely carry.
• Any caps or pumps would be made out of polypropylene plastic (PP).
• Virgin Kraft Paper will be the outermost layer - what consumers can see.
• The plastics (BOPP and PP) are underneath as an inner, thin layer. It will hold the amount of fluid that the original bottom can safely carry.
• Any caps or pumps would be made out of polypropylene plastic (PP).
Sustainable Design Concepts
I had 2 concepts in mind to choose from. Both are great sustainable methods, but I had to consider:
"What is more convenient for consumers?" • "What are consumers used to?" • "Which would use less materials in the long run?"
I had 2 concepts in mind to choose from. Both are great sustainable methods, but I had to consider:
"What is more convenient for consumers?" • "What are consumers used to?" • "Which would use less materials in the long run?"
Option A
If it's going to keep the pump, then there could be an option for consumers to purchase just the body of the bottle with a default cap. This can save some plastic that would've been used for the pump.
If it's going to keep the pump, then there could be an option for consumers to purchase just the body of the bottle with a default cap. This can save some plastic that would've been used for the pump.
Option B
A bag that contains the liquid and people can reuse/refill their main bottle whenever they need, rather than having to purchase another bottle.
A bag that contains the liquid and people can reuse/refill their main bottle whenever they need, rather than having to purchase another bottle.
Phase 3: Final Design Outcomes
Reflection
Developing a sustainable packaging solution challenged me to approach design from a research and user-centered perspective. Before this, I only had experience doing UX on interfaces. Rather than only focusing on visual design, I had to consider how materials, usability, branding, and environmental impact could work together.
While my final solution is conceptual and would require further materials and manufacturing research, the project strengthened my ability to investigate a problem, explore potential solutions, and translate research into a cohesive product experience. Overall, this project showed me how design can help explore more sustainable approaches to everyday products!
