It can be difficult for consumers who are visually impaired to decipher the differences between products that come in similarly shaped and sized bottles, which is why Herbal Essences teamed up with P&G's Sam Latif.
Together, the affordable hair care brand and Latif, who is visually impaired herself, created shampoo and conditioner packaging that features indentations near the bottom of each bottle. This means that the shampoo bottle has four vertical lines, while the conditioner bottle has two rows of dots.
As Latif explained to Business Wire, the initiative has enabled her to feel more included, as she's now able to simply pick up a bottle and know exactly what it is -- a feeling that she hopes that the other "23 million people in the United States who are visually impaired" also experience.
Inclusive Hair Product Packaging
Herbal Essences' New Packaging is for the Visually Impaired
Trend Themes
1. Accessible Product Packaging - The trend of incorporating tactile features or indentations on product packaging to aid visually impaired consumers in easily identifying products.
2. Inclusivity in Design - The trend of designing products and packaging with features that cater to marginalized communities, like the visually impaired.
3. Collaborative Product Development - The trend of partnering with individuals or organizations who have personal experiences or expertise in order to create innovative products that meet specific needs.
Industry Implications
1. Beauty and Personal Care - Opportunities for beauty and personal care brands to create more accessible and inclusive packaging for their products, offering a better user experience for visually impaired consumers.
2. Consumer Goods - The potential for consumer goods companies to incorporate tactile features or other design elements that improve accessibility and inclusivity, benefiting visually impaired consumers.
3. Assistive Technology - The opportunity for the assistive technology industry to develop innovative solutions and products that enhance the accessibility and usability of everyday items, such as inclusive packaging for hair care products.