Inhaler Re-Packaging | Ellie Hickling Portfolio 2026

Inhaler Re-Packaging Design

Asthma is a very common condition, with around 7.2 million people suffering from asthma in the UK alone (Asthma & Lung UK, 2026).

As well as this, asthma is easily controllable with the correct perscribed medication and tecnique, to the point where sufferers with good technique can live life almost completely unaffected (Asthma & Lung UK, 2026).

However, despite this, there has been a crisis in asthma care for decades, with the death toll gradually rising since 2014. (Asthma & Lung UK, 2026).

Worst of all, a physicians study in 2014 showed that 2 thirds of asthma deaths were preventable. (Asthma & Lung UK, 2026).

This study found that there were many indications of a nation-wide misunderstanding of effective asthma control and inhaler technique, which uncovers an issue with information communication in asthma care. (Asthma & Lung UK, 2026).

The problem at hand is a lack of communication, so the solution is communicative design of information in a more efficient and innovative way.

There are many ways of communicating with such a large group of people, such as through check-up appointments, online messaging, or written letters, however, I believe the most productive form of communication in this case is through something that all the people in this group will have access to for certain, and that is the packaging for their medication.

The aim for this project is to design new packaging for inhalers, targeting problem areas with communication of information and promoting the most effective techniques for specific inhalers.

I am aware that medication packaging is designed in accordance with specific legal restrictions and regulations, which is the reason for certain design choices and styles that appear clinical and dull. With this in mind, the designs created for this project are purely speculative, acting as a look into how medication packaging could look if design was prioritised and aligned with legal regulations.