Reducing or eliminating packaging is now a core design challenge. At Rocketfuel, we integrate sustainability into product design, prototyping, and manufacturing—helping brands replace wasteful materials with planet-friendly alternatives. The global trend towards reducing – or removing – packaging is set to continue to gather momentum. We take a look at 3 business’ best plastic-free practices. Reducing packaging is both a planetary and a commercial sustainability considera

Design thinking is more than a product development tool—it’s a proven method for improving communication, problem-solving, and teamwork. Used by global leaders like Apple, Google, and Airbnb, and central to Rocketfuel’s own process, this 5-step human-centric approach can turn any meeting into a productive, creative session. Broken down into five strategic and practical processes, design thinking’s human-centric approach can benefit a wide range of industries and contexts, sta

Some businesses are like oil tankers—powerful, steady, and able to weather storms, but slow to change course. The challenge? Balancing this stability with the agility to seize new opportunities. Rocketfuel applies this principle in product design and manufacturing, helping brands keep their core operations strong while testing new ideas at speed. An oil tanker is slow and difficult to manoeuvre, but simultaneously powerful and able to weather rough seas. Here’s how to combat

With over two decades in the design industry, Rocketfuel Founder Rob Grey shares the five fundamentals that have kept the agency relevant. From concept creation to manufacturing, these lessons are shaped by a South African market that demands agility, creativity, and resilience. For Rob and the team, the greater the challenge, the greater the opportunity. “The lessons I’ve learnt have come from not having things handed to me on a plate,” says Rob. With this problem-sol

South Africa has become a go-to location for global brands seeking fast, cost-effective, and high-quality product design, prototyping, and manufacturing. With its unique blend of cultural diversity, environmental range, and market conditions, it offers an unparalleled real-world testing ground—making it a microcosm of the world. With the world looking to the southern tip of Africa for fast, cost-effective and high-quality product development, South Africa is proving to be a h

Companies that undervalue design and innovation risk losing market share. Rocketfuel’s collaboration with Peregrine Farm Stall on the Cape Winelands’ N2 shows how design-led thinking can transform a business, drive growth, and differentiate in competitive markets. “The key is to embrace disruption and change early. Don’t react to it decades later. You can’t fight innovation.” – Ryan Kavanaugh, American businessman, film producer and film financier Take the lead Following the