Optimizing the User Experience for Package Design July 24, 2007

Continuing our series of Usability and Human Factors in things other than software and web sites, we offer an interesting and engaging evening on the campus of Michigan State University this month. Come to network with your peers, learn, participate, and even contribute your own research ideas!

-DaveMR, Michigan UPA Events Coordinator

Title
Optimizing the User Experience for Package Design

Presenter
Laura Bix, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Michigan State University School of Packaging

Abstract
Dr. Bix and associates will provide an overview of the exciting research at the School of Packaging at Michigan State University. The lab aims to quantify and qualify the human/package interface, with an eventual goal of providing scientific guidelines that will help design teams optimize ease-of-use in their package designs. Projects include:

1 Child Resistant Drug Packaging and Arthritis: Can Older Consumers Access Their Medication?
2 Quantifying the Contact Area between Consumers and Packaging
3 Sight, Sound and Child-Resistance
4 Effectiveness of Required US Warnings for Over-the-Counter Drug Labels

As an added bonus, attendees will be given a tour and discussion of the lab facilities. The tour will include:
1 Eye trackers
2 An instrument that measures legibility of label elements and designs
3 Techniques that quantify the surface area of touch between people and packages
4 Techniques to understand the abilities and limitations of test subjects

Brought to you by
The Michigan UPA (www.miupa.org)
Michigan State University School of Packaging (http://www.packaging.msu.edu/)

When
Tuesday July 24th, 2007 6:00-8:30PM (Food and networking until 7:00, then presentation and tour)

Where
Michigan State University School of Packaging
153 Packaging Building
East Lansing, MI 48824
517-355-4556

Map at http://packaging.msu.edu/documents/PAULSMAP_001.PDF
Note: Parking is free starting at 6:00PM, there is a parking lot directly behind the building, and there is also a brick parking structure directly behind the Communications Building (corner of Wilson and Red Cedar).

Cost (includes food and beverage)
$5 Students, $10 UPA members, $15 all others

Official Website: http://miupa.org