Exploring packaging lid design preferences among Mexican university students

Abstract

The aim of this research was to evaluate Mexican students’ preferences of three redesigned lids. To reach the objective, a test was performed with three 3D printed lids that were redesigned based on valuable features regarding the overall shape, texture, and dimensions as found in previous studies. The most different characteristic among the lids was the overall shape. Eighteen female university students participated in this test, which consisted of opening a bottle using the three redesigned lids while placing their hand according to the user’s most comfortable position. Four methods were used to measure perceived exertion, user’s satisfaction, comfort and perceived effort, and the kind of grip used by the participants: the Borg CR-10 scale, two questionnaires to measure satisfaction and a direct observation made by the researchers. Results suggest that students’ preferences were focused on the enhanced grip through the use of hexagonal lids with rounded corners and clearly marked concave sides to place the fingers on the lid’s wall. Overall, the results in this study provide valuable ideas to designers in order to create lids that are able to satisfy the needs and preferences of people with characteristics similar to those of the participants in this research. Similarly, the study offers an opportunity for trying the ideas with other groups of users.