We've been working with the toy industry for the past 22 years, so we're all too familiar with the frustration and anger (not to mention the scratches and deep cuts) that come from difficult-to-open packaging. And, I'm sure you are, too. Many toy manufacturers, both big and small, are working hard to deliver extraordinary package design that reduces size, employs sustainable strategies and removes all obstacles that lead to "wrap rage". This is certainly a long overdue move in the right direction! This month's issue of BOLT! borrows an article I recently wrote on this topic for Brand Packaging Magazine. Feel free to chime in... your thoughts are always welcome.
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Consumers: “less is more when
it comes to packaging.” Doesn’t sound reassuring to package design
professionals, does it? Less real estate to work with and a long list of
branding and design issues to be considered when packaging products. Talk about
adding challenge to complexity!
NMI Solutions, a global
market research firm that specializes in health, well-being and sustainability
issues recently shared some interesting insights from its annual U.S. LOHAS
Consumer Trends Study. When surveyed, 75% of respondents felt that many
consumer products are over-packaged. When it comes to sustainability, those surveyed preferred minimal packaging
first. This was followed by recyclable packaging and then packaging made
from environmentally-friendly materials.
It’s no secret that consumer
packaging has been shrinking. Especially in food and personal care categories.
With manufacturers like Coca-Cola, Pepsico, Unilever, Procter & Gamble,
Kellogg’s and Heinz making commitments to significant package reduction, as
well as smaller companies, the process of package reduction is accelerating.
Brands in the toy category benefit immensely from
reduced packaging. Often the object
of wrap rage, removing toys from layers of packaging has been known to be
hazardous! Parents who have borne cuts and scrapes during the process can
attest to that. The largest toy makers, Mattel and Hasbro, aware of this, have
been working to eliminate twist ties and excess packaging in a concerted
manner. But some smaller, niche toy companies are doing extraordinary reduced
package designs that deserve notice.
As added bonuses, fewer
materials mean less waste, fewer greenhouse gas emissions and lower costs of
production and shipping. This is significant. But it doesn’t come without
challenges. While consumers say they want to see less packaging, when they
actually do they usually think they’re getting less product for their money,
which is often the case. That has negative connotations unless companies
transparently explain the reduction in package size and materials.
For consumer product marketer
and package designer, the challenge is to assess every square inch of real estate
and determine how best to deliver brand and product assets in that space. Regardless,
this doesn’t have to be a negative. There are ways to capitalize by making minimalist
packaging a game changer. It forces everyone involved to be more creative and
to make brand communication more focused and deliberate.
HEXBUG offers a great example. There’s nothing else
like it in the toy industry so it stands out and stands alone. HEXBUG is a line
of cool micro robotic toys that are getting raves. They’re ingeniously designed
in the form of bugs, crabs and inchworms. All of its packaging is unique but
the Nano Hive Habitat Set goes one better. The
playset folds up for easy transport and storage with a
simple paperboard sleeve serving as its packaging.
The interactive playscape opens up to let boys
customize the multi-level “habitat” any way they choose. They can then add
their favorite micro-robotic creatures to the habitat for hours of imaginative
play. The set is beautifully designed so that when it closes, a “handle”
appears at the top to carry the toy. Simple plastic ties fit neatly through the
closed habitat and help keep it closed. A simple billboard shaped like the
product depicts imagery of the open play set and delivers simple, carefully
chosen brand communication. The beauty of this, of course is that product and
package concept work in concert.
Has
the minimalist packaging for this product impeded it in any way? No. The Hive Habitat Set was nominated for Toy of
the Year awards in four key categories during the annual Toy Fair week in New
York City in February 2012.
Green Toys, Inc. is breaking new
ground with its toys and its packaging. American-made, retro-styled mini
vehicles and mini fastback coupes in primary colors entice young children. All
of these toys are made from safe, 100% recycled milk containers that are BPA free.
They can be cleaned in the dishwasher. Packaging is made from 100% recyclable
corrugated box material and printed with soy inks. It’s minimal, hones to the
shape of the toys and shows them off to full advantage. This is clever
packaging that allows the inside of the car and its tires to be fully exposed
which kids love. No twist ties, plastic or cellophane films are included in
this packaging. Every concept is deliberate and tells the brand story.
B. Toys is focused on
sustainability with its line of toys for young children, as well. The toys are
whimsical, colorful and entirely unique: childhood delights. So is the
packaging. The first thing the company seeks to do is minimize packaging.
Recyclable materials are used. Minimal plastic is used but it’s recyclable. All
inks are soy based and varnishes water based for biodegradability. Toys are
packaged in reusable bags. Some packaging reverses to become gift wrap. Boxes
are designed to turn into pretty trays “to hold tiny treasures”. All of this
makes us wonder why more consumer product companies haven’t taken this approach
of product and package integration.
These package design
choices could be called new toy success stories. Kids obviously gravitate to
toys like these. Parents can easily endorse these choices when toys and
packaging are presented this thoughtfully. How many more products/packaging can
borrow these ideas and innovate even further?
