Packaging is hugely important in marketing a product. Let's pretend that I have never bought laundry detergent before, completely clueless to brand preferences. At target, method brand detergents are the most visually appealing, except for maybe the bright, simple Tide logo. I would purchase the method detergent because of it's unique, ergonomic shape as well as captivating, simple text.



There are a good deal of products that have iconic packaging, including, but not limited to: McDonald's. Think about it. The golden arches. You've already driven 349 miles, and are really craving a cheeseburger happy meal with no meat. A glimmer ahead of classic red and yellow, is that a mirage? But wait, the arches............ it's McDonald's.

I guess McDonald's isn't really iconic packaging. But one will always recognize dem golden arches.


There are, as with life itself, many usability issues for packaging. one of the most frustrating examples is but of course the hard plastic type with sealed edges. It is possible that one needs a PhD from MIT to open it.



Like, I don't want to talk about how many times I've cut myself with scissors while trying to open packages like above.

The excitement of a child when she, or he, gets a brand new Barbie is like no other. The window to see Barbie and her stylish new outfit and accessories. The Mattel pink that is like crack to 7 year olds.



But beneath the glowing exterior, a minefield of usability problems exist. Barbie's hair is sewn to the back of her cardboard home with some sort of plastic. Every appendage is twistietied in place. Even the cool accessories are locked into place with plastic. So the beautiful outside is tarnished by the ugly interior.