FOOD PACKAGING ANALYZED THROUGH THE USER INTERFACE: OPEN, USE AND DISCARD : Package classification of food products in the Japanese market (2)

Abstract

In the field of packaging design, there are many definitions that mention about the possibility of conserving a product or transporting the product or even about the communication of the product. Unfortunately there are not many definitions that include the user as an important part of the design process. This research intends to analyze what means User Interface when we talk about packaging design. We propose analyzing the user interface in three stages divided as "way of opening", "way of using" and "way of discarding" as we believe a package exists until it is disposed. We found out that there are so many variations on the user interface making the user face a new situation with any package. This situation can make things confusing for the user and probably add complexity on the understanding of the use of the product. We also found out that there a lack of design for disposal leading the user to find its own way while getting rid of the product. Since the discard action is part of the life of the package this means that there is a lack of design on an important stage that cannot be ignored.