Single unit dose(SUD) detergent package study
Project Dashi focuses on developing holistic products that fit naturally into the regional consumer’s culture. It acts as a market enabler, driving growth by lowering the barrier to new technology while delivering a measurable leap in functional performance.
The strategy centered on building a market proposition that pulls in new consumers through frictionless onboarding. Simultaneously, Dashi focused on strengthening the product’s value proposition to convert current users into long-term brand advocates.
Living the problem
The foundation of this project began with the personal frustrations I experienced while living in Japan for several years. These daily observations eventually pulled me away from my design desk and led me to conduct research directly within the home environment. By analyzing the unique spatial constraints of compact urban living, I was able to define a specific set of design principles that directly shaped the user interface and the functional experience of the packaging.
While packaging volume is typically dictated by price points and unit counts, Project Dashi introduced a more human-centric metric: the ‘carry-weight’ experience. I analyzed the physical effort required for a consumer to lift and position the product from various heights, ensuring the final package weight was optimized for effortless placement within the home.
Ideation
The project’s roadmap was built to exceed the success criteria identified during our regional consumer research and interview phases. Each proposed solution was developed with a specific market-facing strength, ensuring the final selection was both data-backed and highly appealing to new & current consumers.
In partnership with the UK-based design team at Matter, I led an intensive journey of ideation and rapid prototyping. This cross-functional effort allowed us to refine the product’s form and function, ensuring every prototype was benchmarked against our core design principles.
Consumer test
To ensure the final design aligned perfectly with regional lifestyles, we conducted a series of comprehensive consumer validation tests. This process allowed us to identify the most effective solution—one that not only met the technical requirements but also integrated seamlessly into the daily habits and domestic environments of our target audience.
Technical readiness
To bridge the gap between design and mass production, I facilitated a comprehensive technical assessment alongside our global & regional manufacturing partners. We synchronized the package’s structural development with the processing engineering of the local production lines, ensuring that every design detail was fully optimized for manufacturing feasibility without compromising the user experience.
