Everyday product designs rethinking familiar routines

Opinions expressed by Digital Journal contributors are their own.

Every so often, a product approaches a familiar inconvenience in a different way. The examples below span pet care, personal care, and at-home technology, with each focusing on the design or delivery of an established product category.

Bringing red light panels home

Red light panels were once more commonly associated with professional settings, but consumer versions have expanded the category into the home. Mito Red Light offers consumer panels in several sizes and configurations. The range includes compact models as well as larger panels intended to cover a broader area. This variety reflects the growing availability of consumer versions of equipment once found primarily in professional environments.

An alternative supplement format

Powdered fitness supplements generally require measuring, mixing, and cleaning a shaker bottle. GAT Sport offers Pre-Workout Chews and Creatine Chews as an alternative format. The format sets them apart from traditional powdered supplements, while delivering the same active ingredients in a more portable, ready-to-go option. According to the company, both products are third-party tested. Their chewable format may appeal to consumers seeking a more portable option, although supplement use should be discussed with an appropriate healthcare professional.

A different approach to pet products

Administering products to a reluctant pet can sometimes be challenging. Tevra Brands has adopted a lickable format for its Twist + Lick range. Its Dental Gel is dispensed through a twist applicator for a dog or cat to lick, while the companion SimPill product is designed to hold a pill within the gel. The products illustrate how pet care companies are experimenting with alternative delivery formats for routines that might otherwise involve brushing or concealing tablets in food. Pet owners should follow product directions and seek veterinary guidance when administering medication.

Exploring plant-based cat litter

Odor, dust, and tracking are common considerations when cat owners choose litter. HoneyCare offers a plant-based formula made from cassava powder, corn starch, and corn flowers rather than clay or silica. According to the company, the litter clumps when it comes into contact with moisture and is formulated to control odor without synthetic fragrance. Its material composition reflects broader experimentation with plant-derived alternatives in the pet care market.

Taking solid hair care on the road

Shampoo and conditioner bars reduce the need for conventional plastic bottles, but storing damp bars while traveling can present practical difficulties. The Earthling Co.’s Jet-Setter Bundle pairs its shampoo and conditioner bars with a TSA-compliant case that features a self-draining design and pressure-release valve. The case is intended to protect the bars and manage moisture while they are packed. It is an example of how an accessory can address one of the practical limitations associated with solid hair care products.

Design changes across familiar categories

Although these products come from different categories, each applies a different format, material, or accessory to an established routine. Together, they show how product development can involve incremental design changes rather than an entirely new category, whether that means adapting professional equipment for consumer settings, changing how a product is dispensed, or making an existing format easier to transport.