Arthritis Foundation Partners With Target to Improve Packaging
Ease of Use® Design Guides offer resources to make products and packaging easier for anyone to use.
ATLANTA (November 12, 2024) — *Earlier this year, the Arthritis Foundation announced its partnership with Target to develop Ease of Use® Design Guides for product and packaging engineers and industrial designers, launching the first two Design Guides focused on Rigid Packaging. Three new guides have been developed and will launch in November, focusing on Sealed Trays and Card, Films and Pouches and Boxes and Bags. These are the first Ease of Use guidelines developed in the United States, offering resources for engineers and industrial designers in the requirements definition and design development stages and can be found on the Arthritis Foundation’s website.
The guidelines have been developed to proactively provide guidance on bringing ease of use designs into products and packaging in collaboration with the Arthritis Foundation’s Ease of Use® Certification program. The Ease of Use program recognizes products and packaging that have been both lab and human factor tested and approved as easy to use for people who live with mobility limitations from arthritis and other chronic pain conditions. Once approved, the brand can apply for the Arthritis Foundation’s Ease of Use Certification License for all tested and approved products and packaging.
In the United States, arthritis is the #1 cause of disability, affecting nearly 60 million adults and hundreds of thousands of children. As the leading source of arthritis information and resources in the U.S., the Arthritis Foundation offers patient education and resources, funds research and advocates for the arthritis community. This complex disease can cause chronic, debilitating pain — and make daily activities difficult to do — while also impacting physical and social wellness and mental health.
“People with arthritis and other causes of chronic pain want solutions that make it easier to do daily activities like cooking, spending time with family and friends and participating in hobbies they love,” says Steven Taylor, President and CEO of the Arthritis Foundation. “We are proud of our partnership with Target to bring design resources to engineers and industrial designers. Our collaboration is leading the way and driving innovation on product and package designs which will offer more in-market options to help people with chronic pain or limited mobility — and all families — say yes to the joy of everyday life.”
The partnership between the Arthritis Foundation and Target — in collaboration with the Arthritis Foundation’s Ease of Use testing facility, the Intuitive Design Applied Research Institute (IDARI) — combines the expertise of industry professionals in the ease of use design space. Target funds the research and contributes to the illustrations, photographs and graphic design of the guides.
“Target is committed to accessible design because this work is strongly aligned with our purpose of helping all families discover the joy of everyday life,” said Jenny Breeden, senior vice president, Owned Brand Product Design and Packaging at Target. “That’s why we were proud to partner with the Arthritis Foundation on guidelines that’ll help designers and engineers everywhere develop packaging that improve accessibility and make life easier.”
Ease of Use Products and Packaging
According to a 2016 Nielsen Ease of Use Survey, 72% of consumers said they would switch brands if a product/package was certified as Ease of Use. The Ease of Use Certification program recognizes products and packaging that have been tested and approved as easy to use for individuals with arthritis and chronic pain, making them easier to use for everyone.
Each product and package in both consumer and pharmaceutical industries are first independently tested with standard lab and human factor protocols. Upon receiving a favorable review, the brand can license the Ease of Use Certified seal, which serves as a valuable shelf differentiator in both retail and e-commerce environments.
The Arthritis Foundation is committed to fighting for a cure for America’s #1 cause of disability. Until a cure is found, the Foundation aims to empower those with arthritis and remove barriers that limit their quality of life. Supporting programs that simplify life for people living with arthritis remains a top priority.
Target’s Commitment
Target is one of America’s leading retailers, committed to helping all families discover the joy of everyday life. The Owned Brand Product Design & Packaging organization designs and engineers the products and packaging for over 45 Target Owned Brands, generating more than $30 billion in annual sales. Inclusive design and improving accessibility are long-term goals for this team, which collaborates with external partners to advance Target’s Owned Brand portfolio.
Together, this collaboration leads the way in driving innovation for product and package designs, aiming to provide accessible solutions for individuals with arthritis and chronic pain, as well as consumers seeking easy-to-use items.
Learn more about Ease of Use Certification and explore available certified products at arthritis.org/easeofuse.
About the Arthritis Foundation
The Arthritis Foundation is fighting for all people who live with arthritis. As Champions of Yes, the Arthritis Foundation has a mission to turn the obstacles arthritis causes into opportunities. The Arthritis Foundation champions life-changing solutions and medical advancements, and it also provides ways for people to connect, break down barriers in health care and join the fight to conquer arthritis — uniting hearts, minds and resources to change the future of arthritis. To join the fight to conquer arthritis, visit arthritis.org.
Stay in the Know. Live in the Yes.
Get involved with the arthritis community. Tell us a little about yourself and, based on your interests, you’ll receive emails packed with the latest information and resources to live your best life and connect with others.