Voice Straw H2O
VoiceStraw H2O™ was created by Mindy Pack, a globally recognized clinical vocologist and vocal coach who has worked with some of the world’s top performers and voice professionals. The VoiceStraw™ system is used by singers, actors, speakers, therapists, and vocal coaches worldwide to improve vocal strength, reduce strain, and build healthier voice techniques through science-backed straw phonation exercises. The newest product line was designed in collaboration with Nicole Light of Power in Packaging, who led the product development, structural design, and packaging system to bring the brand’s next generation of tools to market.
Engineering a Precision Tool for Vocal Performance
The Challenge
When Mindy first came to me, she handed me a simple metal straw and said, “I need this to work in water, protect the lips, and be produced in multiple diameters with a precise bend at a specific distance, and also have shelf appeal!”
This wasn’t just about making a straw. It was about translating a highly technical vocal training tool into a product that could be manufactured consistently, perform correctly, and hold up to everyday use which can be built to perform on the shelf later down the road.
Mindy’s engineer had already developed the CAD drawings, which defined the exact specifications we needed to meet:
• Multiple straw diameters
• A precise bend radius
• Exact bend placement so the straw functions correctly during water exercises
Those files needed to be translated into a production-ready product that could be manufactured reliably at scale.
Material selection introduced another layer of complexity. The straws are made from steel, which can tarnish over time and is susceptible to rust on the inside when exposed to extreme moisture or environmental conditions.
The packaging also had to solve two critical challenges:
• Protect the straws during shipping so they would not move or shift
• Showcase the product clearly so consumers could immediately see and understand the tool
Because the straws are precision instruments, the packaging needed to secure each straw in place while keeping the product fully visible.
The Inspiration Behind The Brand
The Solution
To bring Mindy’s vision to life, we translated the engineer’s CAD specifications into a manufacturable product system that maintained the exact performance requirements of the vocal training tool while being reliable to produce at scale.
The Voice Straw H2O™ design was critical for the system to perform correctly. Working with manufacturing partners, we
developed a steel straw system that precisely matched the required diameters, bend radius, and bend placement, ensuring each voice straw performed correctly during water-based vocal exercises.
incorporated soft protective silicone tips to protect the lips while maintaining the functional airflow required for the training method.
The Voice Straw H2O™ material performance was something we needed to really focus on for longevity of consistent use.
Because the straws are made of steel, we powder coated the entire straw to minimize tarnishing and protect the product from moisture exposure while maintaining durability for repeated use.
The packaging system was engineered just as carefully as the product itself.
The steel straws had some serious weight to them. Each straw needed to remain secure and perfectly positioned during shipping while still allowing the consumer to clearly see the product.
The packaging was designed to showcase the tools visually, allowing the consumer to immediately understand the different diameters and the purpose of the system.
We designed an internal paperboard structure that held every straw firmly in place so the product did not shift during transport and as well as the cone (Blue round disk).
The tray was removable and allowed a pocket underneath to house the travel case for each of the straws to fit into with a pocket on the back to hold the cone.
The final result was a fully engineered consumer product that balances precision performance, manufacturability, durability, and strong retail presentation transforming a simple metal straw into a polished product ready for market at anytime.
