In the Aalto University course Miten muotoilemme toisillemme? (“How do we design for each other?”), we carried out a user-centered design project in a two-person team in collaboration with NordicMeal Oy. The company is a Finnish startup developing domestic expedition meals. The aim of the project was to deepen understanding of customer groups and define guidelines for the product’s packaging design.

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We gathered research data through background research, interviews with the company and a retailer, competitor product analysis, and co-design sessions involving experts from different fields. Based on the results, we created three customer archetypes and a list of packaging design requirements that support usability and visual distinctiveness of the product.

 

My role included participating in background research and interviews, facilitating co-design sessions, and testing competitor products. In addition, I was responsible for the layout and visual identity of the final deliverable created in InDesign, contributed to the development of archetype content and illustration ideas, and selected thematic music pieces to match them.

 

The final deliverable was presented at the course’s closing event, a small-scale fair-style session where different student groups showcased their projects designed for partner companies.

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Course project, 2020

Miten muotoilemme toisillemme? (“How do we design for each other?”), Aalto ARTS

Collaboration partner: NordicMeal

Tools used: Adobe InDesign, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, Google Workspace

Other team members: Sonja Norpila

Keywords: User-centered design, User research, Customer archetypes, Co-design / co-creation, Competitor analysis, Packaging design requirements, Visualization & layout design