CIRKIT Running Gel Packaging

Packaging

Brand

Design Problem:

Bring a fresh take to how we sell, buy, and burn through

running gels packaging without hindering the athlete and

what they need most, their fuel.

Understand how sourcing, production, and disposal of

packaging has important environmental considerations.

Create a brand book for this new, imaginary start-up

4th Year Student Work

Mar 31, 2026

Project Framework:

“Running gels” and supplements in kind are designed to fuel athletes for high intensity endurance sports. This niche market of products are solely packaged with single use plastics. Not a single one is reusable or recyclable.

To paint a better picture, the BMO Vancouver marathon has over 25,000 runners annually and each athlete will use an average of 4 gels - at a minimum - each being thrown in the trash at the end. We can all do the math.

So what if we bring a fresh take to how we sell, buy, and burn through running gels without hindering the athlete and what they need most, their fuel. Would it be possible to stop fueling waste at the same time?

This is where I propose CIRKIT - a reusable gel fuel packaging system with a comprehensive brand guide book.

My Decisions:

Kept the system simple, runners buy the kit, and
stores carry the refills.
CIRKIT if you didn't guess, combines Circular + Kit
Silicone products are accessible and would be an
affordable material to explore
Because running is visually performative, centering the brand around packaging could mean making the hot new running accessory. Our colours also stand out in a competitor analysis.
Utilizing circular design could mean making packaging
that can be repaired.
Emphasizing emotion & a moral conscious is refreshing
for the audience