AVO Fresh

Say goodbye to plastic mesh bags.

Grab AVO Fresh avocados, sold in 100% paper packaging.

Develop a unique produce packaging design that addresses the lack of sustainability in the produce packaging industry. Design the structure, graphics, and branding for the produce item. Packaging must be 100% paper board made, stackable, and hangable. Showcase the package's functions, design details, and what makes the product unique from its competitors.

2024

Graphic Design III * Paperboard Packaging Alliance 2024 Student Design Challenge

Role Packaging, Graphic Illustration, Branding

Tools Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe XD

Timeline 3 weeks

Team Tristan Naoe, Kaia Kim, Deanna Nguyen

Problem Statement

How do we develop a straightforward and user-friendly packaging alternative that is similar to the functionality of mesh bags while using sustainable paperboard materials in its design?

The predominant packaging method employed for avocados currently involves the use of mesh bags. The use of mesh bags contributes to plastic pollution and environmental degradation.

Positioning graphics are what create brand awareness and being able to control that allows for a product or business to stand out amongst its peers.

Executive Summary & Brand Strategy

Avo Fresh introduces a packaging system for avocados, featuring innovative compartmentalization to ensure optimal freshness. Enhanced by a rigid paperboard bottom and handle, this design ensures structural integrity and enhances the overall durability of the packaging.

Target Market

Families, individuals, and children of all ages who prefer organic goods
Environmentally conscious individuals concerned with sustainability

Packaging Goals

In collaboration with Industrial Technology and Packaging students:

Versatility

Stack-ability — Packaging structure designed for effective storage on grocery shelves and in transit.
Hang-ability — Handle located on the top of the package allows for hanging, giving versatility on how the product can be displayed.

Protection A packaging design that provides a superior level of protection from abrasions, compression, and punctures, compared to competing packaging.

Effectiveness The package's handle allows for easy handling and carrying. Package effectively contains the product giving an ample amount of visibility and allowing for it to be touched to check the produce. Can be displayed in the same location as mesh bags.

Materials & Manufacturing Paperboard has the highest rate of recyclability of all materials used in consumer products. AVO Fresh has only one die-line and is able to fold flat when shipping. Includes an auto bottom with glue tabs that add to the strength of the structure.

Extension Plan Packaging design has a large amount of versatility when it comes to medium sized and avocado sized fruit (such as apples, mangoes, peaches, etc).

Brand Identity & Logo

Ideation

Moodboards, sketches, and digital exploration

Refinement

Initial design concepts and refinement

Prototyping

Package exploration and test printing on prototypes

Final Designs

Two packaging sizes: 4 & 6 count

4 Count

6 Count

Back of Package

Top Lid & Handle

In-store

Challenges & Lessons

The most challenging aspect of this project was the limited time we had as graphic designers. In collaboration with two other graphic designers and three students from the Industrial Packaging Technology (ITP) program at the Orfalea College of Business, our goal was to create a sustainable packaging system to replace mesh bags. Aiming to reduce plastic use in produce packaging. The ITP team focused on designing an innovative package, while our design team developed the brand identity and graphics for the packaging. Due to delays in the ITP team's concept development, we had a constrained timeline to design the entire identity for "Avo Fresh." Despite these challenges, we successfully completed the packaging design.

What’s Next

Avo Fresh was submitted to the 2024 Paperboard Packaging Alliance Student Design Challenge, a prestigious national competition. The results for the top three produce packaging designs in the U.S. will be announced in Fall 2024. We are eagerly awaiting the outcome.

We're excited about the future of Avo Fresh and the impact it will have on the produce packaging industry. Pushing towards better sustainability practices by replacing plastic mesh bags.

Avo Fresh | Graphic Design III | Winter Quarter 2024

Thanks for checking out Avo Fresh!

Please get in contact if you have any questions or would like to learn more about this project!