Designing for Accessibility and Competitive Advantage in Packaging

About the Guest(s):

Debbie Gokie serves as the Vice President of Consumer Health and Ease of Use at the Arthritis Foundation, a position that leverages her expertise in health to benefit consumers with arthritis. Through her work, Debbie coordinates with brands and oversees the testing of their products to ensure they meet the ease of use standards set by the Arthritis Foundation. In this role, she also helps to dispel myths about arthritis, educate on its prevalence among all age groups, and advocates for packaging that is accessible to everyone, including those with arthritis.

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In this insightful episode, Evelio Mattos sits with Debbie Goki to unveil the challenges faced by individuals with arthritis and the importance of designing accessible packaging for them. This conversation sheds light on a frequently overlooked topic within the realm of packaging design—ease of use for people living with arthritis. The episode is not only revealing of the prevalent misconceptions about arthritis but also emphasizes the power designers wield in enhancing the quality of life for millions affected by this chronic condition.

Delving deep into the intricate relationship between consumer products and accessibility, Evelio and Debbie address the obstacles encountered by both adults and children with arthritis. They explore real-world scenarios where packaging design falls short, leading to products that are often too difficult to open. Debbie outlines how the Arthritis Foundation's testing and certification program can be a beacon for brands, guiding them towards creating packaging that fosters user autonomy. The episode underscores the profound impact and positive brand loyalty that can result from thoughtful design that considers all potential users.

• Arthritis affects over 60 million adults in the United States, with two-thirds under age 65, challenging the stereotype that it is only a condition for the elderly.
• The Arthritis Foundation can certify products as "ease of use," ensuring they are accessible for those with arthritis, thereby promoting brand loyalty and consumer retention.
• Debbie emphasizes that accessible design transcends catering to those with arthritis—it offers independence and empowers users by removing barriers of product usage.
• The episode reveals the upcoming launch of design guidelines by the Arthritis Foundation to assist designers and engineers in creating products that are easy to use for everyone.
• A significant statistic mentioned is that 72% of consumers prefer products that are easy to use, highlighting the business incentive for accessible design.

• "Once you get a product that you can open, and it's easy to use. You're not going to switch brands." - Debbie
• "The majority of our brands have said it's a shelf differentiator." - Debbie
• "We want to be able to give them their yeses." - Debbie
• "If I make something easier to use and more accessible, I'm empowering somebody." - Debbie

The resources and references mentioned in the episode include the Arthritis Foundation website at arthritis.org. Also highlighted are the design guidelines being launched by the Arthritis Foundation, which will be available on their website for public access.

Encourage your curiosity and deepen your understanding by listening to the entire conversation with Debbie Gokie on this episode. Learn more about the importance of inclusivity in design and how it can make a real difference in people's lives. Stay tuned for more enlightening episodes that promise to broaden your perspective on packaging design and beyond.

Episode Summary:Key Takeaways:Notable Quotes:Resources: