Today was our last day of exploring Costa Rica before we give our final presentations tomorrow! We went to La Paz Waterfall Gardens where we got to see a variety of animals and see 5 different waterfalls. As we walked through the area we got to see so many native Costa Rican animals in more of a zoo setting. Additionally, there was a butterfly garden where you could see so many different butterflies, and I even had three land on me at once. After we passed all the animals, we began heading towards the waterfalls. This part was also super cool because you didn’t just get to see just one waterfall, but see one and hike to another. Each waterfall was unique and had a different vantage point. Lastly, we wrapped up our final day of exploring by going to the final soccer game tonight. It was so cool to see Costa Rican culture from this perspective. Fans spent the entire game singing chants and cheering. Since it was a home game for Alajuela, it was fun to see everyone unite and cheer on the same team.
As I reflect on the past two weeks here in Costa Rica, I have truly learned so much and gleaned an unforgettable experience. Throughout all our site visits, I looked at them through a design and launch lens because that is my group’s focus for our final project. While I would have initially thought that this does not apply as much to the far upstream suppliers in the supply chain, this trip has proved me wrong. Starting at the farms, design and launch is necessary because ecotourism is a large part of these farms’ profits. For example, Hacienda Doka and Life Monteverde’s main focus is growing and producing coffee, but they must have a solid marketing strategy to have tourists come see their farm and learn more about it. Additionally, the design of the bags that they place the coffee they produce in is important because it impacts the quality of the bean. Since all three coffee farms that we toured heavily focus on the quality of their coffee, the design of the bags is important from an early stage in the supply chain.
The next step in the supply chain is the processing mills and exporters. For design and launch, this stage is still pretty similar to the farms because businesses can design their milling process to encourage tourists to come see how their coffee is produced. Additionally, designing high quality bags and machinery is extremely important to maintain the quality of the coffee.
As we move into coffee roasters and retail stores/cafes, this is where design and launch becomes extremely relevant. Businesses must design their packaging and logos in a way that entices consumers to purchase from them. For example, Life Monteverde’s logo is interesting and reflects their ideals as a business. Their logo has a quetzal bird and coffee branch that represent harmony and strength. This is an excellent design for their brand because it is enticing to consumers and reflects their unique brand values. In addition to the logo, the design of the packaging is crucial because it can promote sustainability and the quality of the products. For example, Hacienda Doka and Café Britt design their bags extremely well to preserve the quality of the coffee. Their bags contain an opening that allows the aromas to come out if the bag is squeezed, but no outside matters can get in and impact the quality of the coffee.
Lastly, design and launch has an impact on customers because it impacts what they are likely to purchase. Customers are likely to purchase something that catches their attention and resonates with them. The design of a product is often a consumers first impression of that product, so it is important that brands ensure that their design is well thought out. Although design and launch is one of the last steps, it is certainly not least.
