As we navigate these uncertain times, consumer behaviour influences packaging design trends. Brands are stepping up their packaging design to offer comfort, joy, and innovative experiences. From nostalgic nods to futuristic fantasies, these trends are here to engage and delight.
Here’s a look at what key trends I think are making waves:
Remember the 90s and Y2K? Gen Zs do, and they’ve brought those vibes back to life with a twist. Think dreamy pastels and contrasting brights that feel both comforting and stylish. Hand-drawn doodles, stickers galore and playful typography add a ‘cute’ and expressive touch, making packaging feel familiar yet fresh.
Pastels have been revamped with a vibrant makeover. These colours work harmoniously with bright contrasts and solid blacks, offering a calming break from our tech-heavy lives. It’s playful and inclusive, with saturated palettes and fun storytelling that appeals to everyone.
Big, juicy typefaces are in! Blending nostalgia with contemporary flair and craft. Playful and tactile typographic treatment makes packaging designs memorable and fun, evoking a sense of enjoyment with engaging brand confidence.
Humour and personality is coming back strong, with hand-drawn illustrations and typography adding a personalised aesthetic. Raising a smile with its honest, endearing design and wit.
Dynamic shapes and contrasting palettes bring a burst of positivity, creativity, and individuality. “Geometric Disruption” focuses on clean geometric forms presented in a minimalistic yet striking way. These shapes, paired with bold colours and typography, create a timeless, standout look, in a less ordinary way.
Stepping back in time with a modern twist. Blending warm colours and expressive typefaces, this trend ever evolves, combining eras, and bringing vintage styles to life in a fun and contemporary way. Transporting consumers back to the good old days whilst living in the now, groovy!
Brands are digging into their archives and bringing timeless elements into the present. Simplified and considered graphic styles, bold palettes and crafted typographic treatments tell compelling stories that stay true to their roots while appealing to today’s consumers.
Less is more with “Simple Type”. Using typographic visual identities to capture brand personality, with less need for imagery. A minimalistic approach with crafted letters and contrasting backgrounds ensures legibility and stand-out appeal.
Escape reality and dive into a surreal world with “Sensory Boost”. Digitally inspired palettes and hyper-sensorial gradients combine with abstract forms to create immersive feel-good experiences. Designs are captivating with a futuristic flair.
“Hyper Surreal” blends AI generated creativity with 3D renders and layered collages, creating a sense of escapism from reality. Mixing the ordinary with the extraordinary, giving designs a surreal twist that’s both fascinating and experimental.
Merging nostalgic 90s street style with digital elements, “Retro Future” is strangely familiar yet with a futuristic feel. Combining binary code, pixels, and neon brights this packaging design trend takes you to another level.
It’s fair to say that sustainability is now an expectation rather than a trend. “Planet First” focuses on eco-friendly packaging solutions that are both innovative and functional. Smarter refill systems and the use of 100% recycled materials are becoming the norm. Brands are favouring paper, aluminium, and even going unpackaged to reduce their environmental footprint. It’s all about being innovative, responsible, and 100% honest.
Nature-inspired palettes and textural qualities bring a sense of tranquillity and well-being. Botanical illustrations and tactile papers highlight key ingredients and sustainable values. An earthly feeling of calm crafted with a feel-good purpose.
“Embrace Craft” celebrates the beauty of art and imperfection with a handmade aesthetic. Collage effects, paper layering, and art-inspired shapes create designs that feel personal and aspirational. A shift away from a digital world.
As technology and sustainability continue to develop, packaging will evolve to balance digital innovation with a comforting nod to the past. Expect designs that blur the lines between reality and fantasy, offering both visual pleasure and practical value. We will see the blending of soft surrealism, joyful simplicity and nature-inspired tones.
As we look to engage our inner child, escapism, playful enchantment, and creative use of technology to inspire and uplift consumers will continue to dominate. As we look to the future, packaging design will create memorable, positive experiences that connect with people on a deeper level; fostering a sense of community and mindfulness, blending technology with a human touch.
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