Who says aid has to be all stuffy, serious and no fun? Seoul-based design studio Unplug offers an ingenius packaging solution. Dreamball packaging is a cylindrical container for aid packages. After the contents are emptied, the paper surrounding it can be removed and made into different-sized balls (instructions can be found on the container).
Although Dreamball packaging can be made into many sizes, the preferred ball is most likely a soccer ball. The Dreamball packaging enables children in Third World countries who receive aid packages, to take some joy in a game of soccer and escape--even if momentarily--the poverty and disaster that may surround them.
Dreamball packaging also allows parents and children to posses a sports ball, when they may not otherwise be able to, and is also another fun and functional way to make use of packaging and to encourage recycling and sport.
Social Soccer Balls
Dreamball Packaging Turns into Soccer Balls for Third World Children
Trend Themes
1. Fun Aid Packaging - Designing aid packaging that can be repurposed as toys or games could provide new ways to brighten the lives of those receiving aid packages.
2. Sustainable Sport Equipment - Creating sport equipment from sustainable materials or repurposing packaging could provide an affordable way for people in impoverished areas to play sports and enjoy active lifestyles.
3. Child-centered Aid - Designing aid packages that prioritize the experiences and emotional well-being of children could help encourage healthy development, support resilience, and provide some joy in difficult situations.
Industry Implications
1. Packaging Industry - Packaging companies could explore developing sustainable and repurposable packaging solutions for a range of products beyond aid packages.
2. Sporting Goods Industry - Sporting goods companies could explore opportunities to create affordable and sustainable equipment for people in low-income areas, potentially expanding into new markets.
3. Humanitarian Aid Industry - Organizations that distribute aid packages could adopt child-centered design principles and explore new ways to incorporate joy and play into their offerings, potentially increasing the positive impact of aid packages.