It sounds like a joke, but it is a genuine product innovation. It’s green, it’s square and it comes originally from Japan. It’s a square watermelon. Why square? Because Japanese grocery stores are not large and space cannot be wasted. Similarly, a round watermelon does not fit into a refrigerator very conveniently. There is also the problem of trying to cut the fruit when it keeps rolling around. So an innovative Japanese farmer solved the problem with the idea of making a cube-shaped watermelon that could be packed and stored easily. There is no genetic modification or clever science involved in growing watermelons. It simply involves placing the young fruit into wooden boxes with clear sides.

During its growth, the fruit naturally swells to fill the surrounding shape.

(a) Why is a square watermelon an advantage?

(b) What does this example tell us about product design?