Accessible Packaging 101
Posted on 2023-11-17
Tags: #AccessiblePackaging #InclusiveDesign #UserCenteredDesign #PackagingAccessibility #DesignForAll #EasyToUsePackaging #InclusivityInPackaging #AccessibleInformation #UniversalDesignPrinciples #UserResearch #PackagingInnovation #CreatingAccessibleProducts #PackagingForAllAbilities #DesignThinking #AccessibleLabels #UserExperienceDesign #EmpathyInDesign #CustomerSatisfaction #MarketPotential #CompetitiveAdvantage #EnvironmentalImpact #LegalCompliance
Accessible packaging is packaging that is designed to be easy to use, open, and understand by people with different abilities, needs, and preferences. Accessible packaging can benefit not only people with disabilities, but also older adults, children, and anyone who values convenience and simplicity. In this blog post, we will explore what accessible packaging is, why it is important, and how you can create it for your products.
What is Accessible Packaging?
Accessible packaging is packaging that meets the following criteria:
It is easy to identify and distinguish from other products.
It provides clear and legible information about the product, its ingredients, usage instructions, warnings, and expiration date.
It uses simple and intuitive symbols, colors, shapes, and textures to communicate information.
It is easy to open and close without requiring excessive force, dexterity, or tools.
It is easy to handle and manipulate without causing discomfort, injury, or spillage.
It is easy to store and dispose of in an environmentally friendly way.
Some examples of accessible packaging features are:
Audio labels or QR codes that can be scanned by a smartphone for people who are blind or have low vision.
Large print or high-contrast labels for people who have low vision or color blindness.
Tactile indicators or notches for people who have low vision or cognitive impairments.
Hinged lids or peel-off seals for people who have limited hand strength or mobility.
Ergonomic handles or grips for people who have limited hand strength or mobility.
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Why is Accessible Packaging Important?
Accessible packaging is important for several reasons:
It improves the quality of life and independence of people with disabilities, who make up about 15% of the world’s population.
It increases the customer satisfaction and loyalty of people with disabilities, who have an estimated spending power of $8 trillion globally.
It expands the market potential and competitive advantage of businesses that offer accessible products and services.
It reduces the environmental impact and waste of packaging that is difficult to open, use, or dispose of.
It complies with the legal and ethical standards of accessibility and inclusion in many countries.
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How to Create Accessible Packaging?
Creating accessible packaging requires a user-centered design approach that involves the following steps:
Research: Identify the needs, preferences, and challenges of your target users. Conduct surveys, interviews, focus groups, observations, and usability tests with people with different abilities and backgrounds. Use tools such as personas, scenarios, and journey maps to understand your users’ goals, motivations, and pain points.
Design: Generate ideas and concepts for your packaging design. Use tools such as sketches, wireframes, prototypes, and mockups to visualize your ideas. Consider the principles of universal design, which are: equitable use, flexibility in use, simple and intuitive use, perceptible information, tolerance for error, low physical effort, and size and space for approach and use. Apply the guidelines and best practices of accessible packaging, such as: clear labeling, easy opening, ergonomic handling, etc.
Test: Evaluate your packaging design with your target users. Collect feedback on the usability, accessibility, desirability, and feasibility of your design. Use tools such as surveys, interviews, focus groups, observations, and usability tests to measure your design’s performance. Identify the strengths and weaknesses of your design. Iterate your design based on the feedback until you achieve a satisfactory result.