Design Problem

Propose a new Muji product that fits within their brand style. The product would be intended to be used and sold in Muji hotels.I was inspired by their kitchenware, and specifically the container collections. I sought to explore their simplistic approach to design non-frivolous products that focus on ease of manufacturing and distribution.

Design Exploration

We don't stop packing lunch for the day when we grow up, so why doesn't our lunchbox grow up with us? My goal was to create a simple, yet stylish, reusable meal container that would reflect the Muji branding.

Product Poster

Prototype

Prototype was 3D printed on an Ender 3v2. White PLA+ to mimic ceramic dish and beige PLA+ to mimic the wood lids & handle

Renderings

Designed and modelled in Rhino 3D and rendered using VRay for Rhino.

Background

OMNI 2021 is the annual Ted Rogers Retail Conference hosted by the Retail Student Association at X University (Ryerson). The conference focused on the omnichannel retail industry and featured guest speakers, workshops and a case competition adjudicated by the founder of nomz, Jana Zaibak. The competition happened over a 2 week period where our team of 3 students (with Michelle Wong and Michael Milliere) created a full label design series and retail strategy proposal for nomz's beeswax candle.Case Objective: nomz is seeking for a package design (name, tagline, label, design etc) to decorate the jar of their new candle. Understanding the target market for this new product, the candle should be created in partnership with a social cause that focuses on Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI). nomz would like a promotional campaign, within the budget of $2000, that provides the background story of the product and the partnering organization.

Design Context

We decided to explore environmental initiatives that were local to Toronto and came across Park People. As their name suggests, they strive to improve the quality of life in cities across Canada, but their Into the Ravines initiative specifically sparked our interest as it was a local project.

Retail Strategy Pitch Deck

The pitch deck outlined our design approach and retail strategy for the product line. The candle seeks to bring attention to the land we have settled on and spark a conversation about how important it is to preserve and respect our natural ecology.
Presentation slides designed by Michelle Wong.

Final Design Series

The final design series features topography from 6 different parks, representing the 6 areas of Toronto. The designs would be screen printed in white directly onto the glass candle jars. Each of the parks are a part of Toronto's beautiful ravine network.

Competition Results

After pitching our series of ravine designs, our team was awarded a contract with nomz to produce a series of designs that would be used for their new line of beeswax candles. Below, you can see the final designs created by Michelle Wong and I in the summer following the case competition.
We worked together to conceptualize and curate the series, but we split the designs up so each of us was in charge of designing 5 of the 10 graphics. The design series was in partnership with Ecotrust Canada, with a portion of the sales going to their programs that support the national parks around the country.

Design Exploration

We explored possible shapes and designs for the acoustic screen that were based around the idea of using a 2-layer panel system with a hard outer shell and a soft, low-density inner wall.

Some designs used large, folding panels and some were comprised of a series of tiles. The panel designs were appealing because they would require fewer components, but they lacked the flexibility of the tile designs.