What is it?
A sealing clip.
Why is it an example of good design?
It is minimal and unadorned. Its very shape makes it clear what its purpose is, and using it requires very little intuition.
“Good design, when it's done well, becomes invisible. It's only when it's done poorly that we notice it.”
Jared Spool
The material is a sturdy plastic, which helps prevent it from losing its shape and therefore its grip on any packaging. Its stiff nature also allows the fastener to audibly snap into place. his serves to reassure the user that their packaging will indeed remain closed. That said, the fact that the product is plastic does allow it a small amount of flexibility, which is important to prevent it from shattering or snapping if a lot of pressure is placed on it.
The grooves that run along the back of the fastener prevent it from slipping from the user's grasp, which is particularly important as the user in most cases would only be using one hand, as the other would most likely be gripping the product they wish to seal.
The clips come in a variety of lengths, and each one is colour-coded. This makes it easy to know which clip to grab if there is a collection of them, perhaps in a disorganised drawer. The clip is also inexpensive, which is essential as its relatively small size means that it is likely to become lost in a busy kitchen.