“You have to design packaging for rice. The packaging has to be different from what is out there in the market. Apply each one of the SCAMPER techniques and do a write‑up on your findings. Then choose the option that you think would work best and do a sketch of what the packaging would look like.”
S – Substitute
Substitute the packaging materials to more eco-friendly carton/cardboard.
C – Combine
Combine the rice with other ingredients, such as chicken or alternatives for vegetarians.
A – Adapt / Adjust
Adapt the packaging to single portion-packages, to accommodate single person households. Each package could have lets say 10 single portions within it.
M – Modify / magnify / Minify
Reduce the size of the packaging as much as possible, to reduce cost of transport and of the packaging itself. The more air in each pack of rice, the higher the cost of transport. The smaller the packaging, the cheaper. Obviously this is very simplified, but this works as a simple guideline.
P – Put to other uses
The packaging also works as a bowl, by adding water to the packaging one can both make the rice in the bowl and eat out of it.
E – Eliminate
Eliminate packaging all together- sell rice like fruit or vegetables – by the kilo. I’m not so sure this is a good idea, but it is an idea.
R – Reverse / Rearrange
Reusable packaging, with a way of depositing the packages for a refund. Probably more useful in those parts of the world where rice is a huge part of everyday meals.
I chose to work with P – put to other uses.
I sketched up a package that consists of four single portions. The package within the carton is made from biodegradable plastic that can withstand heat, two portions in each layer. These two have to be broken apart, and are independent bowls that are perfectly sized for one portion of rice. By adding water into the bowl the rice is ready to eat within 5 minutes.
It might also work with four portion in one layer, each layer being broken off into four.
Maybe it would be a good idea to add seasoning within the package, which would be optional to use, so that the rice could work as a meal by it self.
Pros and cons.
Packaging rice like this involves packaging a lot of air, which I doubt can be done very cost efficient. However there is much to be said for not wasting any food. Cooking two, or more, portions, when you only need one, is a waste of both money and food. In this perspective I think this way of packaging rice can be well marketed.
Inspiration / sources:
As I am terrified of copying what other students have done before me, I have not looked at their assignments until after I was more or less done.
There are noodles and mashed potatoes, among others, that can be bought in a plastic cup and by adding water one has a meal. My idea might originate from having seen that. MrLee, Mama and Toro have different versions of this.
Randis Reflective Journal 