Note: An Affordance‐Based Methodology for Package Design

Abstract

The term affordance describes an object's utilitarian function or actionable possibilities. Product designers have taken great interest in the concept of affordances because of the bridge they provide relating to design, the interpretation of design and, ultimately, functionality in the hands of consumers. These concepts have been widely studied and applied in the field of psychology but have had limited formal application to packaging design and evaluation. We believe that the concepts related to affordances will reveal novel opportunities for packaging innovation. To catalyse this, presented work had the following objectives: (a) to propose a method by which packaging designers can purposefully consider affordances during the design process; (b) to explain this method in the context of a packaging-related case study; and (c) to measure the effect on package usability when an affordance-based design approach is employed.

Voces aisladas: Reflexiones de adultos mayores sobre el uso y la accesibilidad del packaging durante el confinamiento

“…Similarly, less published work has been undertaken about older adults and cognitive issues and affordances around packaging and/or visual acuity, which is a significant issue for older adults (see Figure 3). However, Becker et al (2015), Becker et al (2016) and de la Fuente et al (2015) have undertaken a number of studies in this area looking at font size, including access to medical packaging where access difficulties are often exacerbated by the use of child resistant packaging (crcs) involving a squeeze, turn and push to access the contents. Often this type of packaging may also have instructions for use moulded onto the cap to aid adults understand the mechanism needed.…”