My role within Philips
In April 2022, I joined the Philips Male & Grooming Packaging team in Drachten, Netherlands. This team designs and develops the entire structural packaging platforms for four categories: Shaving, Grooming, One Blade, and IPL, with their work visible worldwide.
I was involved in various projects within the shaving category, with my primary focus during 2022 on designing and developing the complete packaging platform for the S1000 and S3000 shavers.
My role included:
Develop innovative structural packaging from design to production, using latest trends, materials and technologies.
Collaborate with other experienced engineers, designers, suppliers, and marketing managers, and keep stakeholders informed.
Lead DFMEAs and design methodologies for mass production.
Influence a multi-disciplinary team and lead brainstorming sessions.
Ensure designs meet functional requirements through testing and simulations.
Create detailed 2D/3D files with manufacturing and assembly considerations.
Use product management software for planning and prioritization.
Identify and implement improvements for the Structural Packaging group.
Capture and reuse of existing knowledge and share learnings.
S1000 & S3000
The Philips S1000 is an affordable, entry-level shaver with essential accessories like a protective cap and cleaning brush, making it popular among budget-conscious consumers. The S3000 series offers upgraded performance with precision-engineered heads and additional accessories such as a pop-up trimmer, charging stand, travel pouch, and cleaning tools. Its blend of quality and affordability has also led to strong global sales.
My primary focus was designing compact packaging that emphasized essentialism and highlighted the shaver during the unboxing experience. As the saying goes, "avoid shipping air," and use only the necessary amount of material. This philosophy was applied to the entire platform, but more visible on the S1000 packaging (shown on the left side of the images below).
In this design, the shaver sits on top of the accessories (protective cap, cables, and instructions), nested with a wet press tray which is placed on top of a cardboard insert. Cushion paper on top of the shaver prevents scratching from the lid, and a cardboard layer on top of it with visual assets adds appeal and improves the user experience.
After extensive discussions with the consumer marketing teams in Connecticut, we successfully moved forward with this compact packaging for sale through major retailers in the USA. I played a major role during these discussions and effectively conveyed the advantages of this packaging.
The structural packaging for the S3000 (shown in the middle and right of the images) follows the same principles. However, now there is an accessory box placed on the right of the shaver since the accessories do not fit underneath as in the S1000 structure. The main difference between the middle and right designs is that the right one is a more premium SKU, including a charging stand, necessitating a larger accessory box.
I created the renders below to present the concepts to all the stakeholders involved.
5000X
The 5000X series offers advanced features tailored for Generation Z and young millennials, providing a close shave with MultiPrecision blade systems and flexible heads.
I was responsible for designing and developing the structural packaging for the SKU sold in the North American market, which included a pouch.
The primary challenge in this project was ensuring that the shaver's head remained securely attached when the pouch fell, as it tended to dislodge from its position. Maintaining a seamless user experience was crucial; encountering a separated body and head upon opening the pouch was not acceptable.
To address this issue, we worked on a solution involving the design and development of a cardboard insert to securely hold both parts together. Through multiple rounds of drop tests, we rigorously tested the effectiveness of this solution, ensuring it met our standards before finalizing the packaging for market release.
Plastic Free Concepts
I joined the company during a particularly sweet moment, coinciding with the phase where all plastic components in our packaging were being replaced with eco-friendly paper solutions. Previously, shavers and accessories were wrapped in plastic bags to prevent scratches, scuffs, and dust. Gradually, we transitioned to utilizing paper bags, wet-press trays, cardboard inserts, paper cushions, and other innovative alternatives.
For our more accessible shavers, we experimented with paper wrapping solutions. I collaborated closely with the communication team in Amsterdam to develop various visual concepts, and we conducted user testing surveys to gain insights into the reception of these solutions.
Here are some of the results.
Recognitions
I had the pleasure of attending numerous events organized by the company, among them the Red Dot Awards Celebration in summer 2022. It was a remarkable moment when the design team led by Sean Carney in Amsterdam, was honored with the 'Design Team of the Year 2022' award.
At Philips, I had the opportunity to learn and develop alongside an amazing group of people. The team’s positivity, diverse talents, and creative energy made it a unique experience.
