(812) 747-9118 7 PRODUCT PACKAGING DESIGN TRENDS IN 2021 In this guide, we discuss Why product packaging design matters 2021 packaging design trends Recyclable packaging Luxury packaging design Sustainable business practices Heritage branding Biodegradable packaging Flat graphics Interactive smart packaging FAQs about Product Packaging Design SO, WHAT IS PRODUCT PACKAGING DESIGN? Product packaging design is the process of planning and creating packaging for products. Generally speaking, quite a bit of thought goes into product packaging design. This makes sense, as product packaging needs to address many, sometimes conflicting objectives. As brands have begun to appreciate the value of packaging, packaging design has begun to receive more attention from consumers and from the media as well. So what does great packaging design look like? In this guide, we’ll look at examples of today’s best packaging design and examine why they work. Hopefully this will serve as a creative spark for your own packaging endeavors. WHY PACKAGING DESIGN MATTERS While brands have long understood the value of product design, more and more are devoting resources to packaging design as well. This commitment is informed heavily by recent research showing that 40% of consumers will share an image of packaging on social media if it’s unique, and 72% of American consumers say their purchasing decision is influenced by packaging design. Additional studies found that 81% of consumers tried something new because the packaging caught their eye, and 63% of consumers purchased a product again because of the packaging’s appearance. Those numbers show that packaging design matters to consumers, but it’s also worth touching on why: packaging is the first aspect of the product that a shopper interacts with. As such, companies are realizing the opportunity for packaging to stand out, convey the story of the brand, and draw the customer in. Now, let’s take a look at 7 packaging trends that we expect to continue in 2021, and a few brands that are leading the charge for anyone looking for a bit of package design inspiration. Simple design doesn’t mean boring design. In fact, most minimalist packaging designs offer ample opportunities to add excitement without destroying the simplicity. Take Canyon’s artisan coffee bag designs, for example. Designed with a brown paper coffee bag, white label, and sans serif black text, the packaging’s gold foil line makes an otherwise plain design pop. The same goes for the simple watercolor images printed in environmentally friendly inks that adorn Juniper Ridge’s botanical tea package design. Allbird’s shoe packaging is another case of right-sized product packaging done right, and a concrete demonstration of the company’s commitment to sustainable practices. The packaging itself is made from recyclable materials and uses soy-based inks. Molded shoe inserts—rather than standard crumpled paper reduce materials—protect the shoes during shipping, and the shoebox performs double duty as a shipping box, eliminating the need to ship boxes within boxes—a standard practice for the industry. Roughly two-thirds of Americans are willing to pay more for sustainable products. To strengthen adoption by manufacturers, 3rd party organizations certify certain sustainability practices, like waste stream management, multi-material recycling, and much more. For example, the Sustainable Forest Initiative, the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification, and the Forest Stewardship Council all offer guidance to help companies improve their sustainable practices, and provide evaluations and certifications to responsible companies to promote sustainable forest management. For packaging designers and brands looking to implement eco-friendly practices, or vet potential partners, these certifications offer credible proof of a strong commitment to the environment. One noteworthy example is Lord Jones, a maker of cannabis-infused products. The company’s confections and cosmetic packages are decorated with gold foil lamination, hand-drawn illustrations, and floral designs that evoke heraldic family crests. The design is undeniably, but also ironically, old-school, especially for a brand that has only been around for a few years. The New Zealand berry fruit brand Munch’n features a cartoon mascot doing just what the brand name says—“munch’n”. The hungry character appears as a seal on all of its kiwi berry containers, as well as on shipping boxes and paper bags, and it always looks like it’s eating the berries inside. This simple, fun character gives the packaging design life beyond mere function. Another great example is Francesco Rinaldi, which upped their pasta sauce game with the Francesco Rinaldi AR app. Developed by Twisted Rope, the interactive app brings the brand’s iconic Mrs. Rinaldi to life whenever a user scans the packaging label using a phone camera. In both Italian and000 English, she engages grocery shoppers with a different message on each jar (which, by the way, is BPA-free, shatterproof, and 100% recyclable). Viewers can also select a “Tap for More” button, bringing users to landing pages with recipes, and more. SOLUTIONS IN RETAIL PACKAGE DESIGN Sustainable, eco-friendly product packaging design will continue to be a concern for companies in 2021, and economic pressures will force many of them to get creative as they cut costs while also cutting emissions. Packaging designs that connect consumers to a larger brand idea or story in surprising ways will continue to surprise and delight. And technology that lets shoppers interact with products in new ways is likely to play a larger role. On the other hand, uncertainty around the pandemic will complicate how brands navigate all of the above. Only one thing is certain—the importance of product packaging will continue to grow. UNPACKING CREATIVE PACKAGING IDEAS FOR 2021… Sustainable, eco-friendly product packaging design will continue to be a concern for companies in 2021, and economic pressures will force many of them to get creative as they cut costs while also cutting emissions. Packaging designs that connect consumers to a larger brand idea or story in suprising ways will continue to surprise and delight. And technology that lets shoppers interact with products in new ways is likely to play a larger role. On the other hand, uncertainty around the pandemic will complicate how brands navigate all of the above. Only one thing is certain—the importance of product packaging will continue to grow. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS What is product design? Product design is the process of identifying and defining users’ problem within a market and developing a solution. It’s design from initial concept through to manufacturing a final product, all the while keeping the user in mind. Products are made for people, which means designers need to design around their users’ needs, behaviors, and preferences. Product design aims to maximize the value of products for users, both by solving user problems as well as enhancing user experience. Product design also needs to take into account technical and material limitations and possibilities, as well as requirements for business success. What is product packaging? What is packaging design? How should you design product packaging for your brand? CONTACT US CASE MAKES 604 RAILROAD AVE. 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