Abstract

End Stage renal disease; or ESRD is a kidney disease that requires a strict dietary regimen in order to limit the life-threatening effects of a poor diet. This dietary regimen requires careful regulation of 8 essential nutrients: calories, proteins, sodium, phosphorous, calcium, potassium, vitamins, and minerals. This strict diet creates a number of complications in patients’ lives, including malnutrition, fatigue, other diseases, and death. The purpose of this study was to develop an appropriate packaging system that provided nutritional information, was appetizing, and focused on the cognitive, affective, and emotional dietary needs of ESRD patients. The design research for this study included the examination of packaging design,labeling systems, principles of effective packaging design and typography. In addition, this study researched the unique dietary and physical needs of ESRD patients. The methodology includes case studies with three nutritional systems from the food industry and the development of an evaluation matrix that allows for an analysis of food packaging based on design principles and nutritional information.