This case study was created by the following OIRC hubs:
Shifting consumer eating behaviours towards healthier and more sustainable options continues to be a key challenge. The AIRES project considered ‘Art Infusion’ (influence of art on product perception) as an alternative approach. For phase 1, we worked collaboratively with our project partner, Twisted Orange, to develop a food industry optimised methodology utilising art to explore consumer perceptions in an inclusive way that avoided cliché responses. Informed by phase 1, we then co-produced food product designs with professional artists (Red Cliff Design and Alice Draws The Line) and tested consumer responses experimentally. We have now been able to utilise our developed protocol in further funded projects with industry partners including Cleobury PM, Really Wild Emporium and Swig Smoothies, supporting innovation in food formulation and reformulation with the goal of contributing to a healthier and more sustainable food system. This project has also contributed to the continued collaboration of Swansea University and Twisted Orange via ‘Kaleidoscope’ a joint endeavour supported by a UKRI Zinc Catalyst and Accelerator project.
"The opportunity that this funding has provided to work with an industry partner on methodology development and validation has been invaluable to ensuring that we collect high quality data that is optimised to support translation and impact for food industry, particularly SMEs, who are driven by a health and sustainability mission."
