Petals: A Multifunctional Drug Packaging Designed for the Elderly

Revolutionizing Medication Management for the Aging Population

As the world's population continues to age, it is essential to address the unique challenges faced by the elderly, particularly in medication management. Inspired by the desire to help their own grandfather, designers Jiankun Sun and Yiqin Zhou have created Petals, a revolutionary drug packaging that aims to make taking medication easier and more convenient for the elderly.

Petals stands out from traditional drug packaging with its distinctive seven-petal design. Each petal corresponds to a day's dosage and is marked with a number, allowing elderly users to easily identify and keep track of their medication schedule. The central disc of the packaging features a cutting line, making it effortless to access a single pill.

What sets Petals apart is its innovative approach to reminders. When the petals are broken, the foil covering the medication is torn, and the number on the petal is destroyed. This destruction of numbers serves as a visual cue, reminding the elderly user to take another dose of medication that day.

One of the most impressive features of Petals is the convex plastic in the middle, which is filled with water. This transparent plastic acts as a magnifying glass, enabling elderly users to read the instructions on the packaging without the need for external tools. This ingenious fusion of functionality ensures that the elderly can easily access vital information about their medication.

Petals is not only user-friendly but also environmentally conscious. The packaging utilizes commonly used materials such as plastic and foil, keeping production costs low and making it accessible to a wide range of users. The thin plastic sheet in the middle, which forms the magnifying glass function, saves on plastic material and promotes sustainability.

The Petals drug packaging measures 100mm x 100mm x 100mm and adheres to the standard dimensions of existing pharmaceutical packaging. Its design maximizes space utilization, allowing for efficient storage and transportation.

The Petals project was completed in just three weeks at Wuhan University of Technology. Through extensive research and creative problem-solving, Jiankun Sun and Yiqin Zhou successfully addressed the specific needs of the elderly in medication management. Their innovative design has garnered recognition, winning the Bronze A' Design Award in 2017.

Petals represents a significant step forward in improving the quality of life for the elderly. By providing a multifunctional drug packaging that is easy to use, visually engaging, and environmentally friendly, Jiankun Sun and Yiqin Zhou have made a lasting impact on the field of design and innovation.