Packaging design involves creating a product’s packaging, including its shape, size, materials, graphics, and text used to protect and promote the product. It serves several functions, including protecting the product from damage or contamination during transportation and storage, communicating information about the product, and attracting the attention of potential customers. An effective packaging design should be visually appealing, share the product’s key features and benefits clearly, and differentiate the product from its competitors. Good packaging designs by packing design Sydney help build brand recognition and loyalty, as consumers may develop an emotional attachment to the product based on its packaging.
Packaging design trends
A packaging trend refers to the direction in which packaging design moves or the current styles, features, and characteristics used to create practical and attractive packaging. Trends can be influenced by changes in consumer behaviour, technological advances, or cultural attitudes. Keeping up with packaging trends is vital for businesses wanting to stay relevant and competitive. It helps them create packaging more likely to stand out on store shelves and appeal to their target audience.
Popular packaging design trends for 2023
Here are some packaging design trends that have been gaining popularity this year
Sustainability
Eco-friendly packaging designs continue to be a significant trend in the industry. Consumers are becoming more aware of the impact of packaging on the environment, and brands are responding by adopting sustainable packaging solutions using biodegradable, recyclable, or reusable materials such as:
- Paper
- Metal
- Glass
- Cloth
- Wood
- Pulp
Minimalism
Minimalism is nothing new. Although minimalistic themes have been popular in art since the 1950s, they are still popular in packaging design. Popular brands such as Apple and Nike have used minimalistic designs since their inception. Even today, minimalist packaging designs offer a direct, no-frills experience with a product.
As crazy designs or patterns do not overwhelm customers looking at your packaging, they get the message loud and clear. It shows cleanliness, neatness, organised, and clarity in designs. All of these make consumers feel warm and fuzzy. Simple, clean designs with bold typography and limited colour palettes are widely used to create a more refined and sophisticated look.
Personalisation
Personalised packaging is becoming increasingly popular as brands seek to connect with their consumers more personally. Customised packaging can include the consumer’s name or a unique design that reflects the consumer’s interests or preferences. It is fast becoming popular because of advancements in customisation technology and consumer demand for personalisation.
Customers are highly likely to choose a personalised product to suit their interests and preferences. Designs that can answer the customer’s question – what’s in it for me – can definitely win them over. In short, personalising your product generates a deep-rooted purpose for buying your product.
Storytelling
Brands are using packaging to tell their story and communicate their values. Packaging designs that include images, symbols, or text that tell a story can create an emotional connection with the consumer. Several brands have started using illustrations and others because they’re fun and relatable. Illustrations can also be a great way to tell a brand’s story and help connect with the customer’s journey or story.
Interactive and Smart
Interactive packaging designs that engage the consumer and provide a memorable experience are also gaining popularity. It can include packaging with hidden messages, games, or packaging that can be repurposed into something else.
Interactive or smart packaging designs serve two purposes – smart packaging technologies like QR codes improve the overall packaging experience and result in potential consumer interaction. Food products use this technology to offer done-for-you recipes. With advanced technology, it is possible to provide customers with an immersive experience where they transverse between the package and augmented reality while enjoying the product.
Bold Colours and Graphics
Colour has been a significant factor in determining trends. For product designing, bold, vibrant colours, and graphics great choices to create eye-catching designs that stand out on store shelves. This trend is particularly popular with food and beverage packaging. It is no secret that flashier, brighter colours get more attention, and it’s a natural behaviour. Hence, euphoric colours are trending in packaging design. These colours take the designs to the other end of minimalism – maximalism. It comes with frills, bright colours, flourishes, and clashing patterns that create a visual feast, and the designs make the products look remarkable.
Vintage-Inspired
Like minimalism, retro packaging also never seems to go out of style. Packaging designs that evoke a sense of nostalgia are prevalent even in 2023. Vintage-inspired typography and graphics create a sense of authenticity and reliability. They also evoke a nostalgic feeling that induces the customers to buy the product as it connects them with something they hold dear.
Vintage-inspired styles give a feeling that products are steady and enduring – as if they’ve stood the test of time. It also gives a sense of security and invokes feelings of bygone days. An advantage of a vintage design is that it can cover several eras by including one or more packaging design trends from earlier times.
Convenience
Packaging that is easy to use and transport is becoming increasingly important, particularly for on-the-go products. Packaging that is easy to open, close, and reseal can improve the consumer experience and increase brand loyalty.
Furthermore, another way to ensure sustainability is incorporating value-engineered designs focused on reducing waste, maximising space, and making the most of the packaging without compromising brand identity. Value-Engineered packaging uses every bit of a product’s packaging for maximum functionality. Nothing goes to waste whether you store, ship, repurpose, or reuse the product.
These are just a few packaging design trends that have gained popularity recently. However, it’s important to note that trends can come and go quickly, so staying up to date with the latest developments in the industry is essential.
