As a consumer, foodie, and designer, one of my greatest interests has always been food and snack packaging. Often, the conversation around packaging centers on graphic design—what makes one design more visually appealing or "sexy" than another. I can relate to this; when I'm shopping for a new product, I naturally gravitate toward the graphics that catch my eye. However, the influence of graphic design on a consumer’s decision ends there. While it certainly plays a role in attracting attention, graphic design is ultimately just ink on material—a relatively inexpensive tool for creating a first impression.

However, in the recent years, there have been more and more convenience trends in the packaging industry - from kid-sized packaging to condiment tubes that squeeze out both peanut butter and jelly at the same time. At the same time, I have had a lot of instances in my life when I wished something was packaged differently, or was conscientious of the context.

Why must I finish an un-resealable pack of trail mix while hiking? And, why is something as simple as a box of crackers, or instant salad packaged a certain way? Furthermore, why have these designs remained stagnant (or reliable) for so many decades?

To learn about this, I conducted interviews, sent out survey questionnaires, and even took my friend Ava on a walk through a grocery store to understand her packaging pain points. In addition to this, I thought it imperative to go to as many grocery stores as possible to find products that design for experience (it was hard) and categorize them by the root of their appeal.

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