Cardboard Cookie Carriers
Prompt: Design a carrier for 4 gift cookies
Phase 1: Research
- Identify both standard packaging within stores and packaging concepts from outside designers
- Modify surface-level issues from preexisting brands
- Develop abstractions from said modifications
Insomnia Cookies was a good place to start for a case study. I observed the delivery service, the boxing, and the size of a cookie.
I noticed that the boxes for Insomnia Cookies are essentially mini pizza boxes; there’s nothing particularly special or groundbreaking about it. Conversely, the packaging for individual cookies resemble that of the hashbrown. Regardless, there is a correlating issue: there’s so much extra space that the cookies shift around when walking. It didn’t seem the most efficient or compact for the cookies’ safety. Furthermore, it’s easy for the individual cookie to slip out of the wrapper due to the opening.
Thus, I first decided to modify a preexisting carrier. I created a cookie prototype, then measured a smaller, thinner box that would prevent the cookie from being jostled. I also included a slip-in tray with a notch — not only would this allow the box itself to hold together better, but this way one doesn’t have to physically touch the cookie at all, improving sanitation purposes.
Improvements: Zero to no jostling, eliminated the prospect of the cookie falling out, added more to the “gift” aspect and structural integrity with the slip-in tray.
Moving Forward:
How can we build on this and make it less simple?
What if you want to buy in bulk? (After all, the end goal is to have a carrier for four)
Phase 2: Sketch Modeling
I definitely needed to accommodate for three more cookies, and figure out a better carrier that screams “cookies” while also having improved mechanical functions.
However, a quick google search yielded some pretty dry results. Instead, I turned to packaging styles for mooncakes, and noticed their various boxing arrangements.
I liked the quick “slip-on” lid feature many boxes had, so I decided to utilize that as my outer base. These boxes also would section off the spaces for multiple desserts, so I was hoping to do the same.
Thus, I gathered my past knowledge from my Insomnia Cookie box modification. This is where the surprise comes in: I took inspiration from my slip on tray, but this time decided to make more of an accordion shape. This way, it’s more malleable and allows one to not have to touch the cookies themselves. By creating an accordion, I could make both sections and trays.
Once the dividers are stretched, the cookies are also spaced out and on display. Through gravity, they easily fall onto the cardboard surface without much jostling.
Not only that, but the outer “slip-in” shell can be placed vertically. If I position my accordion properly, I can create yet another display for the cookies. It would, however, benefit if I were somehow able to create moveable notches.
Although this carrier seems basic in structure at first glance, in actuality it has three different ways of holding the cookies — the drawer, the elongated accordion, and the vertical shelves — all of which prevent them from overlapping or ruining one another.
Improvements: Definitely drew some people by surprise when I revealed the accordion feature (according to my unsuspecting peers). Can now fit more than one cookie, drew on my earlier research on cookie boxes, and has three different modifications and ways to position the cookies. No issues or worries regarding cookie damage.
Problems: Creating flaps and slipping them into the space in between cardboard layers 1 and 2 is difficult, cumbersome and honestly not the most rigid. Furthermore, I needed tape for the outer cover.
Other feedback from Steve and Stacie: Work on the structure now that you have the interaction, focus on making it look like a cookie carrier, DO NOT SCORE THE CARDBOARD THAT MUCH YOU ARE KILLING IT AND RIPPING OUT ITS INSIDES
Moving Forward:
Does it embody the theme of cookies?
How do we better attach the boxes together without tape?
Phase 3: Prototyping
10/6/20: Initial Prototype
I’m so, so frustrated. But it’s 3 a.m. and I have no choice but to keep going.
Although I would consider today’s prototype an utter failure, I will admit that the direction I’m choosing is more beneficial. I took advice from my individual critique, and decided to modify a multitude of attributes:
- Flattened and elongated two axis of the box. Now, it looks less like a drawer and more like an actual cookie box!
- Switched from square accordions to octagonal-esque ones. I felt that it would better adhere to the shape of a cookie, and this way I could make the sides of the box shorter. This way, the cookies are visible and it is apparent to what the carrier is made for.
- Built a cardboard “latch” comb to properly hold the dividers. This also prevents the cookies from falling out.
- Reduced the amount of cardboard by completely eliminating the outer shell. I didn’t feel it was necessary.
- Scored out a neater box with appropriate folds that aren’t stuffed into the hollowed out corrugated cardboard.
Unfortunately, there were a lot of problems. SO MANY PROBLEMS. My math was inaccurate, so that the accordion dividers had difficulty actually staying in the latch. My tabbing system was also inaccurate, so it was apparent that the box is incapable of holding itself together. Moreover, I had accidentally measured the octagonal accordion with a width of 4.15 inches, while the base of the box was 4 inches wide. Thus, I had to recreate the whole box once over.
Surprisingly? I had relatively positive feedback from my group. I feel like it was ill-deserved, as if I had deceived them somehow. Nonetheless, they provided incredibly helpful feedback on how I should progress, and I’m thankful for that.
Moving Forward:
Does the carrier have a proper handling service?
How can we properly secure the cookies?
How do we keep the box together?
10/8/20: Prototype 1
The emphasis on having a handle and minimizing the amount of cardboard seemed integral, so this time I decided to work on precision and handling. First, I covered up the opening from the last box model. I also attached a handle and had it attach to the latch comb. Furthermore, I provided more accurate measurements for the latch, and this time it effectively connected with the dividers. I also experimented with a new tabbing method, and this time it held itself together! Albeit a little ugly.
In order to make the carrier sturdy and cohesive, I attached the latch comb to both the handle and the front of the carrier:
Peer feedback:
How well does the carrier describe what it contains? Why?
You can physically see the inside of the carrier’s contents, revealing immediately what it contains. It is effective to see what the carrier contains
Does the carrier appear easy to assemble? Why?
It seems a bit difficult, the steps aren’t clear cut to know, for example, how would someone know the handle goes in after the latch, before the side fold.
Does the carrier adequately indicate how it should be carried? Why?
The handle is straight forward and creates a sense of sturdiness.
Do you believe the carrier effectively protects its contents? Why?
Yes, without the handle and the latch it would seem like the cookies would fall out but they allow the contents to be protected
Does the interaction with the carrier appear appropriate and engaging? Why?
Although the top cardboard “latch” allows the individual using the carrier have safety when actually carrying it, the accessibility of the cookies may be difficult- having to reassemble.
— As for my own self evaluation, I agree with all the above points. However, I’d also like to mention that the tabbing system seems weak
Moving Forward:
Is it possible to insert the cookies into the carrier more easily?
How can we make the handing and assembly more intuitive?
How can we make a more effective tabbing system to make it neater?
10/13/20: Prototype 2 (refinement)
I essentially replicated the past prototype, but made minor fixes in each part. First, I slit the tabs more, and it seemed to be just a little stronger this time (but still minimal, I still need to work on that). I also slightly changed the shape of the box so that both the front and back faces of the box would have an octagonal shape.
I cut down the width of the comb so that it would have a sleeker, more elegant look, and I gave the notches some diagonals instead of vertical cuts so that it would better slide into the accordion folds.
Peer feedback also mentioned that the assembly was confusing, so I emphasized the first notch on the comb to indicate that the handle goes first, and the indent at the front is for the box slit.
OVERALL THOUGHTS:
This was definitely starting to get into the nitty-gritty. I despised the handle, and I still needed to assemble a stronger box. At the same time, while my carrier provided solutions to all points of consideration, it still didn’t seem whole.
An interesting analogy was when Steve described my carrier as “car parts from different companies” or “a lifeboat where everything is separate and held together by holding hands.” Essentially, there are a multitude of external components that seem to be cohesive because of slots and tabs, rather than it actually functioning as one entity. Thus, Nick suggested the removal of the comb altogether, and a better way to assemble the accordion and the carrier. I’m researching origami accordion paper folds just in case.
Office hours advice and considerations: Is a handle really necessary? How can the piece be more cohesive without “holding hands?” Can we make it all one piece?
Does this mean I have to redesign the whole piece? Maybe; I won’t know until I keep trying.
10/20/20: Prototype 3 (same concept, revised design)
Office hours with Nick and Alice: Improve tabbing by slitting more; think about the various ways one holds a cookie box; potential alternatives regarding comb removal
And so begins my final sprint of failures, just inches before the finish line. I attempted to map out a box that could be made with one sheet of cardboard, but immediately scrapped it (I ran out of cardboard length for the accordion, even with the art store’s biggest possible sheet). I tried to make the comb on the side, but failed that as well (they wouldn’t bend nor hold the accordion properly, or at least the way the original comb did). I made mini test handles, but most felt foreign and uncomfortable, and I was reminded more of bread or apple carriers rather than cookies.
There were various directions of questions I had to tackle, and I couldn’t do it all at once: How do I keep the cookies in place without the comb? How can I make the carrying process easier when the addition of a handle does more harm than good? How do I prompt the interaction more easily?
The first question seemed potentially connected to the third, so I focused on that first. I created a box where the sides extended, but also folded into the shape of the octagon so that it’s still a similar shape and also leaves space to see that there are cookies inside. Then, I shortened the strip — implying that it shouldn’t act as a handle, but rather something to hold the cookies down. By connecting it to the front and tabbing it on the bottom, it could properly hold it down. Unlocking the strip then prompts only the front to open.
Then during my session with Nick and Alice, I had the realization that the word “carrying” doesn’t necessarily equate to “make a handle.” Thus, I have officially decided that the concept of a handle, especially a rounded one that I had previously composed, is unorthodox and unconventional. Now, that doesn’t imply that one should simple hold the box. I noticed from a lot of peer testing (and google image search) that people often hold flat cookie boxes, similar to my own, from the bottom up. The palm rests on the bottom, and the fingers are latched to the top. This is because the shape of the cookie box is designed to fit the size of a hand.
Therefore, I decided to push, rather than pull. I proposed putting indents on each side of the box, so that the fingers have a little more leverage. I thought whether to put the indents on which side, and originally considered scoring them on the lengthy side, so that it would be placed near the hip. However, someone pointed out that with my flatness and length of the box, it would be more intuitive to hold the long side close to your stomach, with your hands on either side of the smaller side.
Final
There are still tabs on the front door, so that it doesn’t stand awkwardly. I also added extended tabs that fit into small slits at the bottom of the carrier, for added support.
While I previously scored the inside of the top strip, this time I used a bone folder to make the cardboard more malleable without carving deep into its flesh like some heathen.
Conclusion
I tried incredibly hard for this one. I really did. I had no right to encounter Olympia deep into the night for that many studio hours. And I will say, this project truly exposed every mental struggle, insecurity, physical taxation, and work ethic I embody.
Did I make the “ideal” carrier? I highly doubt it, and I won’t pretend that I made something perfect. I can always improve structurally, and there were likely better, more efficient methods of incorporating my interaction.
However, I’ve stated this before and I’ll state it again: prior to this year, I didn’t think this assignment was achievable. I’d admire cardboard carriers from afar, unable to think that I would be doing something similar. So I find it a feat in itself that we all hit the ground running and still managed to stumble on our feet until the end. I’m not entirely proud of my carrier, but I am proud that I was able to create one. I’m incredibly thankful for doing this project and I found this entire project a thoughtful, introspective, and progressive experience to who I am as a person and designer.
