PACKAGE DESIGNS FOR SELECTED POST-NATAL CARE (OMUGWO) SPICES IN IGBO SOCIETY

Abstract

This practice-led research explore the design and branding of packaging for locally sourced spices used in postnatal care, with the objective of making these products ready for west African. Drawing from cultural semiotics, design thinking, and global branding theories, the project balanced traditional knowledge with modern design practices. The research addressed the challenge of creating packaging that reflects the cultural significance of postnatal care in the local context while appealing to global consumer preferences for health, wellness, and sustainability. By employing a Practice-Led approach, the project considered functional and aesthetic factors such as material choice, graphic design, and messaging. This included ensuring the packaging is not only visually engaging but also eco-friendly and compliant with international health and safety standards. The outcome of this research was a set of packaging prototypes that embody cultural authenticity, global market readiness, and design innovation, contributing to the internationalization of indigenous postnatal care products. The findings also revealed that strategic packaging and branding, rooted in scientific methodology and cultural context, can enhance the marketability of these spices while promoting sustainable livelihoods and safeguarding indigenous knowledge. This study contributed to the growing discourse on ethnobotany, food science, and cultural sustainability in sub-Saharan Africa.