Pendulum is a probiotic supplement company that offers FDA-approved products with their proprietary probiotic strains. They approached Zenpack with a brief to reimagine their packaging system and refresh their overall packaging design. The plan was to create a more permanent component accompanied by a refill packaging system for their subscribers. This would replace their standard pill bottles, creating a new way for customers to interact with their products. Inspired by the Petri dishes they use in their labs to conduct their research, we created a custom, reusable Petri dish-shaped container accompanied by a compostable package for monthly refills. To ship the starter pack, we designed and produced 100% corrugated cardboard packages that maintain the brand's aesthetic in every detail.

We explored different form factors and settled on a Petri-dish-like container. This form reminds us of the more elegant, delicate, and positive experiences we've had with other products, such as chocolates, candies, and other delicacies. New Pendulum subscribers receive a Petri-dish container for their bathroom, vanity, or kitchen, and each month they refill the container with a monthy supply shipped in a compostable bag. The container's thin profile is also travel-friendly, making it a multifunctional brand extension. The refill pack is made out of industrial compostable materials, reducing the impact compared with the original plastic bottles.

To elevate the experience, we added a soft-touch coating on the container. The silicone-like touch reminds us of the premium accessory category every time you open the container. The refill bag has a kraft paper layer on the outside, allowing for soft and neutral print colors that we developed for the new product line.

Since Pendulum had already established themselves as a leader in the probiotic space, we had the challenge of re-introducing an existing product with new branding and packaging; a mini rebrand. We wanted to strike a balance between Pendulum's science-based approach to gut health and a modern design hierarchy that would look beautiful on any bathroom sink counter. Fortunately, we were no longer constrained by a plastic vitamin bottle. We stripped the branding down to a single color background with a strong text hierarchy to highlight Pendulum's flagship product benefits. After dozens of purple color explorations, we settled on a purple that instills confidence in users while staying true to the Pendulum brand.

The new packaging is delivered in a compact yet intuitive shipper system that allows each of the components to nest in its own space for unboxing. From the easy-tear opening for the refill shipper to the organized stacking insert for the launching kit, we aimed to create a holistic experience that matches the Pendulum product line.

The container is made out of ABS, with a soft-touch coating. The refill pack is made out of certified industrially compostable materials. Shippers are made from 100% recycled corrugated boards. We anticipate the container will last over 2 years, while other packaging components can be composted and recycled.