Final blog post! Yesterday we got to pick strawberries and explore the waterfall gardens at La Paz. We saw animals like toucans, frogs, sloths, and monkeys and got to see some beautiful views. After, we attended a fútbol game in Alejuela. It poured and we left at half time, I don’t know who won.

The past two weeks have been so much fun, and I’m so grateful that I’ve gotten to have this experience. I learned so much and met so many awesome people.

In terms of supply chain, I now know a lot more in relation to my project topic, design and launch. On this trip we analyzed the supply chain in four steps for agriculture. The first was farming and physically producing the product. In terms of design, several producers have turned their plantations into educational tours. They have designed their space to be conducive to this educational and entertaining experience, while still allowing for optimal production. For example, Hacienda Doka has designed their large plantations to produce their high quality coffee, while also operating as a tour grounds for groups.

The next step we examined in the agricultural supply chain is processing. This includes packaging, which is a main design component. Packaging may be the first thing a consumer sees when buying a product. For a company such as Café Britt, packaging is very important to portray an image of luxury. It uses vibrant colors and local imagery to make the product more appealing to tourists. It is also designed to keep water and light out to preserve freshness.

After processing, the next step in our examined supply chain is in retail. We learned that frequently, gift shops are designed strategically. Café Britt designs its gift shops with local elements. For example, its shops in Costa Rica use vines and other “rain foresty” elements. Additionally, they stock local, handmade souvenirs that can only be purchased in their shops. They also utilize samples, to compel customers to buy their products.

The final step in the supply chain is with the consumer. Consumers interact with the design and are responsible for the success of a product. All design should be done with the consumer in mind to eliminate as many pain points as possible.

Good bye Costa Rica! I’m so sad to be writing this on our last bus ride that isn’t to the airport. I hope to come back with my family soon, and can’t wait to see more!