Origin of Design

Shower gel —a product used in everyday life by each and every individual— produces up to 1,470 millions of plastic waste from its packaging in Thailand per year. However, if these plastics are not properly handled by recycling through washing and sorting into its right category, it will create more waste in the landfills. In order for the remains to be well-biodegraded, it takes up to 450 years, which causes a direct impact towards the environment. In Thailand, nonetheless, a majority of these shower gel packages end up as litter in the landfills due to people being used to not sorting waste and recycling.

Upon the mentioned issue, it became the inspiration to help reduce this particular problem by using shower gel packaging as a medium for SPEAKING OUT. Children are the main targeted audience in order to create awareness concerning the environment through recycling from a young age; tackling the issue from its origin.

Concept

CHOO (the sound of the train) is a shower gel packaging for children embedding the concept of UPCYCLE for EASY RECYCLING into the design. To elaborate, having finished using the product, it can be added value through UPCYCLING as toys of trains and railways. Through the process of transforming the packaging into toys, the design automatically requires sorting out the pieces and washing them; as a result, not only do children have fun playing, but also are trained to work on the process of recycling which creates awareness in them. After the children have grown out of this toy, it will then be a good quality of waste as it has been through the process of sorting out and washing which is beneficial for RECYCLING.

As for the business aspect, the design is intended for people to repurchase. Through the usage of modular systems as the prominent selling method, consumers can only use our brand in order to connect each train and railways together. Furthermore, the purchase has to be up to an extent or the whole set for the children to enjoy the experience of playing. Color aesthetic of the trains play a part in attracting children into wanting more which adds value to the product as a collectables.

Designing

This particular shower gel packaging is designed to add value as toys of trains and railways. That is, the bottle can change into railways, whereas, the lid can turn into trains. The shape of the bottle is a curved design as an illusion similar to Justraw Illusion. When comparing each bottle, the size seems different; nonetheless, in reality, it is the same —making the bottle interesting. The design curves, moreover, enhances the action of holding it and can be placed continuously together on selling shelves. In addition, the bottle when in the form of railways can be connected through both turns and straight ways.

As for the modular system, the bottle tip and the bottom of the bottle is a snap lock design which can be easily connected with other bottles. Each bottle contains two slits on both sides to secure the train wheels. The lid —the shape of the train— has hidden wheels which can rotate, and will be visible when pulled out from the bottle. The side of the lid has a notch for folding down as a connecting point between each train bogie. The train has a variety of colors which are gender neutral, suitable for both males and females in order to expand the consumer target.