Heinz ketchup recently released the new design for their ketchup packets. This design hasn't been changed for the past 40 years, but consumers all around the glove interact with the product millions of times daily! I thought this was a good example of how design could be applied to the simplest products and improved. The new packet design replaces the ketchup pouches that were always hard to tear and squirt. The ketchup would always squirt out awkwardly and sometimes onto your white shirt. With the old design, if you wanted to dunk your fries in ketchup, you'd have to squirt a bunch of packets onto a napkin, a messy process. With the new design the user has two options, you can simply peel back the surface, affording dunking into the ketchup. Or the user can tear off the end and squirt the ketchup. I also admire how the name "dip and squeeze" and the ketchup bottle design inform the user how to use the new packets. Overall a cool design that shows that even the most arbitrary things can be improved.
*globe
ReplyDeleteIt looks like this was lifted straight from the barbecue sauce packets at fast food places. Regardless, it's definitely an improvement in the experience of using ketchup. What I like about it is that it reduces anxiety for hypochondriacs(like myself) who don't like putting ketchup on a napkin. After a second look, I noticed that the design allows for those who prefer to squeeze the ketchup out to tear off the top and squeeze it out. The design is modular and meets the preference of both groups without sacrificing anything (at least it looks like it). I'm looking forward to trying it to make sure that it doesn't squirt out towards the peeler.
One other thing. Does anyone else feel like they're wasting some barbecue sauce when they peel the lid off of a design like this and there is sauce on the top? Does anyone else use a fry or something else to wipe the sauce off and put it to good use?
I agree with Nicholas- it sucks when you peel off the lid and there's stuff on the top. The same thing happens with yogurt, but at least it's appropriate to lick the yogurt top- I wouldn't say the same about a bbq sauce top.
ReplyDeleteI also think that Nicholas has a good point- it should be globe, not glove. Glove really doesn't make sense in the context of the article. Personally, I'm more of a fan of those large ketchup bins that you pump to get ketchup, although I think those little cups are way to small.
I heard that some companies purposely put a bit of their products on the top of the lids to promote the idea that their products are filled to the brim. I think it was a mayo company, maybe miracle whip? Interesting concept...
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