PepsiCo Beverages North America 2 Liter Bottle Redesign

Reimagining our bottles using human-centered design.

Rethinking everyday objects is a dream challenge for any design team, and with the 2L Bottle Redesign for PepsiCo Beverages North America, we got to do just that.

Brand

Pepsi, Sierra Mist, MTN DEW

Type

Structural Packaging

Region

North America

THE IDEA

A new bottle that puts people first.

Many of us grew up with the 2-Liter bottle and have never thought to question its design. But when our team dove into the details, we realized the 2L bottle could be more functional, easy to grip and unique to PepsiCo brands.

To redesign the 2L bottle for the first time in 30 years, we leveraged our human-centered design approach to guide our team through thousands of sketches and hundreds of prototypes, inspired by our observations around how consumers use and pour multi-serve bottles.

These learnings helped us arrive at three designs that balance holding pressure, bottle stability, manufacturing capabilities and supply chain for a bottle that’s just as refreshing as its flavors.

THE DESIGN

Stand out style.

In addition to creating an easier, more manageable pour, the 2L bottles for our flagship portfolio products feature unique designs and textural elements. An approachable, flowing design for Pepsi, and a bold lightning-bolt design for Mtn Dew improves grip and evokes each beverage’s unique brand expression. Striking designs at the grip point maximize form and function, while a new label position higher on the bottle makes each bottle designs pop off the shelf.

Internal collaboration among our design, innovation and marketing teams with cross-functional partners in supply chain, R&D, commercialization, sales, finance and PR more led to the commercial launch, which resulted in a dynamic and easy-to-use bottle that brings more smiles with every sip for our consumers.

THE OUTCOME

An uncapped success.

Upon the initial launch in Chicagoland, Wisconsin and the Twin Cities, the redesign drove significant media coverage across business, design and food and beverage outlets.

24%

less plastic used in labels when compared to existing, Straight Wall 2L labels

90%

easier to grip and pour* * PepsiCo Gutcheck In-Home User Testing, Dec 2019