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Smart Package Design: Pedialyte

In honor of World Usability Day, I figured I would share my positive experience with some smart package design for Pedialyte.

Over the weekend, Kacey wasn't feeling well.  She came down with a bit of a cold and just was not herself.  She even slept for 14 hours Saturday night.  You wish that they would sleep in to give you a break, but when they do, you just worry that they're alive! We figure we have another 14 years before she starts sleeping past 10 on the weekend.

Anyway, due to the mucus in her throat we avoided giving her milk, which would only make matters worse.  I've attempted to share some pics below of the product, but found it a bit challenging to capture white on white text. 

The bottle comes with your standard bottle top seal, with a perforated portion to peel away and an additional foil seal underneath the cap.  The cap itself features a raised lip and a small triangle angled towards the lip. Instructions read: To Cut Foil/ Invert Cap/ Press Down & Turn. 

Instead of reaching into the cutlery and piercing, prodding, and peeling, the designers at Pedialyte provide a safety feature AND a convenient way to remove it.  Another option is the tiny extended tab that is common among foil seals, but for those of us that keep the fingernails short, those too are a hassle.

The simplicity of this additional piece of plastic greatly exceeded my expectations, solved a common packaging problem and most importantly increased my perception of the brand.  It made my life easier. 

Side note: Kacey LOVES the stuff, she'll down her sippy in one gulp.  We'll be repeat purchasers. 

Kacey: The First Year

At the time of this post being published (a year ago), 10:11pm, we were blessed with a healthy baby girl. 

In that time she's grown quite a bit, talked, walked, crawled, giggled, and been truly amazing.  I'm uploading some videos, but I just wanted to share our celebration.  Here's us one year apart.  And yes, the same tee shirt was worn for effect.   

Kacey Highchair Log: Entry 9

Kacey Highchair Log: Sunday June 22, 2008

I'm shocked that da-da was able to transcribe my log so quickly.  I mean, for awhile he was slacking off.  I put a lot of thought into what I say, this is a historical record here.  Today, I had soup for the first time, although I did mention to mommy that I liked it with a lot of a broth, she didn't listen.  It was certainly fun to eat.  I did get a lot in my bib though and I played with the bowl.

Daddy Note:  I started to get a jump on this log, but never got to finish it.  Kacey was a little miffed when I told her that I didn't finish it.  But she's so even tempered that she forgave me pretty quickly.  But in exciting news, she now says both da-da and ma-ma, so both parents are very happy with our little girl.  In no time, we'll have a walking talking little one.  I think everyone is just a little scared, but very excited.

Kacey Highchair Log: Entry 8

Kacey Highchair Log: Monday May 26, 2008

Time flies by, I feel like only months ago, I wasn't even a captain.  I guess that is because I wasn't.  I still ruled, just not with such style.  For those of you wondering, my captain's chair is manufactured by bloombaby.  It is very comfortable, good for lounging, but its presence demands the respect I deserve.  If only my mommy saw that some of the time.  For those other aspiring captains out there, it comes in 8 colors.  I command from my orange chair most often, but gramps has a gray one at his house.  I didn't upgrade to the leatherette, mommy and daddy would have gotten jealous.

Daddy Note: My little girl is growing up so quickly.  Each day she seems to learn something new.  She definitely is already exhausting to watch after.  She's always wanted to stand up, but now that she can hold onto things and quasi-walk on her own. We realize its only time before the gaps between couches won't be a factor and then the real fun will begin. 

Kacey Highchair Log: Entry 7

Kacey Hichchair Log: Saturday May 17, 2008

I will politely call this my experimentation with foods, but really Mommy just tries and put new stuff in front of me and I eat it because I am hungry and it's fun.  Sometimes I like to kickback in the chair.  Keep it casual, I mean, I am the Captain and all.  The latest thing are these little cereal bits that taste like bananas and are shaped like stars.  They are really hard to pick up, but I'm working on it.  They get stuck in my hand sometimes, I let Mommy help me when that happens.  Every good Captain realizes they are only as good as their crew.  Mommy and Daddy are a pretty good crew.  I'll keep them around for awhile longer.

Daddy Note:  She never ceases to amaze me with her development.  She seems to comprehend just about everything that is going on around her.  We've been dealing with some PT/OT with her because of some tight thumb muscles and tendons, and within the first few days, there was marked improvement.  Hopefully, we won't have to deal with the hand splints much longer, but we're patient.   I've been behind in posting the highchair logs and Kacey's been getting on me about it, she doesn't want to let her fans down. 

Kacey Highchair Log: Entry 6

Kacey's Highchair Log: Wednesday April 16, 2008

Mommy finally gave me something that I can call a solid... It's like one of my toys, but also "nutritious," whatever that means... anyway, sometimes I like to see if mommy wants to try it, but then I get a little jealous.  Also my new bib has a place for my cookie or spoon depending on what I feel like. 

Daddy Note:  Kacey has been great lately with eating, she seems to enjoy it more and really likes pears.  I wasn't around for highchair time during April, but Lisa gave me the reports.  I'm glad to have Kacey be such a healthy and happy baby. 

Kacey Highchair Log: Entry 5

Kacey's Highchair Log: Sunday, April 14, 2008

It's been a little bit since I've updated my log, daddy's been busy and usually he transcribes.  The parental units have recently gotten me a new bib, it's a lot harder to get it into my mouth as it doesn't bend.  These solid foods were fun for awhile, but now there is so much other things to do and play with that I get bored. Ohh! and mommy tried to sneak sweet potatoes in again.  I believe I told her I didn't like sweet potatoes.

I did get an upgrade to the captain's seat... check out my sweet console, I can bang out memos, surf the internet and increase the font size on the screen.  And I figured out how to make a clover symbol too!

Daddy Note: Kacey has seemed so uninterested in solid foods lately, focusing on the camera, her bib, or anything else that is going on.  We can get her to eat for a little bit, although it seems that feeding her twice a day nets the same amount of solids just split up. We hope that we can gradually get her to eat more at each sitting... 

Highchair Log: Entry 4

Kacey's Highchair Log: Saturday, March 29, 2008

The parental units seem to love this bib, I mean sure it tastes good, but every log has me in it.  I tried some new food today, they called it "bananas."  While it's still yucky, it is an improvement from "sweet potatoes."  I will, however, give it another chance.  I do like this spoon thing, its fun.  I can chew on it a little each time and some of the time it has oatmeal on it, I do like oatmeal.  I once ate two bowls of that stuff!  If only I could convince them of just giving me that. 

Daddy Note: Kacey is so funny, she has taken to squealing when she is really happy.  It's a bit ear-piercing at times, but nonetheless, I am very happy to hear her so happy. It is a really rewarding experience.  Also, I've decided to film her reaction to food, she makes the funniest faces when she is eating, especially when she  doesn't like what just went in her mouth.

Kacey on Baseball's Opening Day

The Red Sox opened the 2008 season with an early morning game broadcast from Tokyo, Japan.  Little Kacey made sure to wake up early to tune in, albeit groggily (check her lounging), but still cheering on the Sox! They're #1!

Highchair Log: Entry 3

Kacey's Highchair Log: Saturday, March 22, 2008

I thought I was the captain, but apparently the parental units think they have some sort of control over me. Rather than taking my meals in there laps, they expect me now to eat in the captain's chair.  How am I supposed to work under these conditions?  Today, an interesting mush was put in front of me.  I heard them say "sweet" potatoes. Could have fooled me, they were yucky!  But I do like the oatmeal, it is quite tasty and I finished the whole bowl.

Daddy Note:  While they recommend continuing with a food for 4 days, Kacey certainly seems to dislike sweet potatoes, as she puckers up and gags as soon as she realizes what it is.  I don't know if we are going to try again.  Despite feeling bad about, she still is quite cute when she makes face.  Hopefully she'll like bananas better.  I am amazed at how well she learns and adapts to new things.  Introducing solids as been pretty easy, she even joined the family for Easter dinner for awhile.