Electronic Theses and Dissertation

Pliek Ue merupakan salah satu makanan khas tradisional Aceh berbahan dasar kelapa yang diolah melalui proses fermentasi. Namun, penggunaan kemasan berbahan karung pada produk pliek ue masih menimbulkan berbagai permasalahan yang berdampak pada kualitas, seperti mudahnya terjadi perubahan bau dan rasa, serta menurunkan daya tarik dan daya saing produk di pasaran. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk merancang ulang kemasan pliek ue dengan menggunakan metode Design Thinking agar kemasan lebih fungsional, menarik, dan mampu memperpanjang masa simpan produk. Metode Design Thinking diterapkan melalui lima tahapan yaitu Empathize, Define, Ideate, Prototype, dan Test. Data dikumpulkan melalui wawancara, observasi, benchmarking, serta penyebaran kuesioner terhadap 100 responden yang pernah membeli pliek ue. Kuesioner diuji menggunakan software SPSS, dengan hasil seluruh butir pernyataan dinyatakan valid karena memiliki nilai r-hitung > 0,1966 dan reliabel dengan nilai Cronbach’s Alpha pada setiap variabel di atas 0,6. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa mayoritas konsumen menilai kemasan lama kurang menarik dan tidak mampu menjaga kualitas produk dalam jangka waktu lama. Melalui proses perancangan ulang, dihasilkan kemasan baru dengan kombinasi material besek bambu, mika, dan lapisan aluminium foil yang terbukti meningkatkan daya simpan dari 4 hari menjadi 8 hari tanpa perubahan aroma dan rasa. Dengan demikian, penerapan metode Design Thinking terbukti efektif dalam menciptakan kemasan yang memenuhi kebutuhan pengguna dan ramah lingkungan.
Kata Kunci: Pliek ue, Kemasan, Perancangan Ulang, Ramah Lingkungan, Design Thinking

Pliek Ue is one of Aceh’s traditional foods made from coconut through a fermentation process. However, the use of sack-based packaging for Pliek Ue still presents several issues that affect product quality, such as odor and flavor changes, and reduced product appeal. This study aims to redesign the packaging of Pliek Ue using the Design Thinking method to create packaging that is more functional, attractive, and capable of extending the product’s shelf life. The Design Thinking method was applied through five stages Empathize, Define, Ideate, Prototype, and Test. Data were collected through interviews, observations, benchmarking, and questionnaires distributed to 100 Pliek Ue consumers. The research employed four indicators functionality, safety, design, and environmental friendliness, each consisting of five question items. The questionnaire data were analyzed using SPSS software, showing that all items were valid with r-count values greater than r-table 0.1966 and reliable with Cronbach’s Alpha values above 0.6 for all variables. The results indicate that most consumers found the old packaging unattractive and ineffective in maintaining product quality over time. Through the redesign process, a new packaging design was produced using natural and eco-friendly bamboo besek complemented with plastic mica and an aluminum foil layer, which successfully extended the shelf life from 4 days to 8 days without any changes in aroma or taste. Therefore, the application of the Design Thinking method proved effective in creating packaging that meets user needs while being environmentally friendly. Keyword: Pliek Ue, Packaging, Redesign, Eco-Friendly, Design Thinking