Skincare Packaging
P&G University Partnership
Project Overview
Our team focused on e‑commerce packaging for a skincare brand, balancing user insights with SIOC (Ships in Own Container) requirements.
To ground the work in real-world needs, we conducted in‑home and on‑site research sessions with 10 participants, uncovering both behavioral and sensory preferences.
Insights from this research informed the prototyping and testing of packaging concepts, where qualitative findings were translated into tangible design solutions that enhanced usability, protected products in transit, and elevated the customer experience.
This project is protected by a 5 year Non-disclosure agreement.
Role/Team
Myself, Tate, Jason, Alice, Fan
Myself, Tate, Jason, Alice, Fan
Tools
Adobe Illustrator, Corel Draw, Figma, Microsoft Office, Pacdora
Adobe Illustrator, Corel Draw, Figma, Microsoft Office, Pacdora
Duration
10 weeks, Fall 2025
10 weeks, Fall 2025
Process
Design Framework
Empathize
Key Activities: Secondary Research · In Home Visits
·
How Might We’s · Tensions · Journey Map · Insights & Frameworks 
Mapping of Interview Insights from In Home Visits
Using our consumers’ current product habits, standards of success and standards of failure, we were able to build empathy with their experience.
We synthesized their feedback into central “jobs to be done”, persona, and consumer journey. This was followed by key insights and tensions which drove our How Might We statements. Throughout the three rounds of research, these guiding insights were iteratively adjusted to align with consumers.
We synthesized their feedback into central “jobs to be done”, persona, and consumer journey. This was followed by key insights and tensions which drove our How Might We statements. Throughout the three rounds of research, these guiding insights were iteratively adjusted to align with consumers.
Define
Key Activities: Brainstorm · Consumer Site Visit 1 & 2 · Prototype Sketches · Storyboards · Design RequirementsComparing P&G’s current product line and the needs, pain points, and workarounds of our users, we found a focused opportunity in creating an outer SIOC with a custom inner filler.
Following our How Might We statements, we brainstormed and sketched, down-selecting to 12 prototypes with a variety of features to show to our consumers.
These rapid prototypes were presented to our consumers during 2 rounds of site visits through sorting, labelling, ranking, and mix & match exercises.
Following our How Might We statements, we brainstormed and sketched, down-selecting to 12 prototypes with a variety of features to show to our consumers.
These rapid prototypes were presented to our consumers during 2 rounds of site visits through sorting, labelling, ranking, and mix & match exercises.
These three rounds of user research culminated with a final list of emotional and functional requirements, each backed by a user need.
Card Sorting Activity from Site Visit 2
Ideate + Prototype
Key Activities: Sketch · Rapid Prototyping
· Lasercutting
· Brainstorm/Solostorm
After concluding our site visits and consumer research, we finalized design requirements and key insights to guide our prototyping. The team went through rounds of brainstorming and solo storming, until we produced 5 design concepts that approached requirements differently. These concepts captured a variety of approaches to the outer SIOC and inner filler material.
Midterm Presentation of Research Findings with P&GIterate + Test
Key Activities: CAD (Render & Assembly)
·
Lasercutting
·
Color Material Finish
·
Branding
Over the course of 2 weeks we rapidly iterated, testing opening mechanisms, materials, and other features. After feedback from design reviews, we isolated to 3 key designs and began modelling them in 2D and 3D programs. Once we lasercut our prototypes, we conducted testing internally within our 20 person cohort and professors using preference data to drive the final prototype’s form.
These 3 designs were presented to P&G for further discussion on considerations like manufacturability and premiumness. We then landed on a final design and honed in on its color material finish and branding.
These 3 designs were presented to P&G for further discussion on considerations like manufacturability and premiumness. We then landed on a final design and honed in on its color material finish and branding.
Final Deliverables
Coming Soon...Reflections and Next Steps
Coming Soon...
MXD Media 2024