Instructor: Professor Kate Catterall Course:
Objects and Spaces, UT Austin
Timeline: 3 weeks
Completed in 2024
The brief called for an item to be critically examined through it's
packaging. I decided to further examine the lighter, conducting research
on what a lighter was, and it’s potential routes for critical exploration.
I examined some critical and ordinary packaging designs for lighters (and
other smoking paraphernalia) in order to see both the style of packaging,
as well as methods on how to critic the item effectively.
Utilizing the ‘Design Thinking Framework’ by Alan Shearer, I
was able to explore the depths of ideas surrounding the concept for the
design of the lighter. These ideas will help to ultimately lead my design
for the packaging surrounding this lighter.
I rapid prototyped several paper models, but found that they were not
yielding enough surface area to conduct messaging through: instead they
more so showed off the lighter, almost romanticizing it. I intended to do
the opposite.
To do so, I decided to go back to standard “box” packaging,
strategizing to create an exterior that was characteristic of the
typical lighter branding, but when opened, revealed several interior
layers asking the user questions.
Through additional field research (within my own conversation with
assorted smokers) I found that old anti-smoking messaging tended to be
ineffective.
I intended to find a new way of messaging, through reflection rather than
shaming. I found in both my own personal experience, as well as through
helping friends and family through addiction, reflection upon one’s
experience and own happiness when smoking is a better convincer to quit or
continue smoking.
Through iterative tests, remakes and reconstructions, I created the final
product.
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