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Friday, 5 June 2015

6 Packaging Design Trends That Will Shape 2015



The year 2015 holds immense prospects for the packaging design and it is being expected that several trends will surface before the year concludes. It should not come as a surprise when you see big strides being taken towards the development of sustainable packaging designs and the use of materials that are bio-degradable in nature. After all, there is a noticeable inclination towards sustainable and green practices and consumers have become conscious towards the “environment friendliness” of packaging.

Here are 6 packaging design trends that would shape 2015 and make a significant impact on the global packaging industry.

Increased Usage of Bio-based Materials


Traditional packaging material has been known to cause wastage that involves time, efforts and cost to recycle. The use of bio-based materials not only helps in reducing the carbon footprint, but it also makes an effective attempt at reducing packaging waste. Since there is immense scope in procuring raw materials from even the most unconventional sources, it is possible to reduce the need for using up natural resources like wood. For example, last year a company called Ecovative Designs had come up with a packaging material made from mycelium (mushroom fibres). Not only was this durable enough to use, but it also degrades naturally when disposed and it has no negative impact on the environment.

Ultra-Pure Design

Photo credit: pinterest.com
This packaging design will definitely appeal to those who prefer a minimalistic approach with respect to packaging. Most of you might not have heard about this term. Ultra-pure is used to indicate minimalism, almost similar to the designs that you would find on pharmaceutical products. There is a certain appeal in these designs that just keeps the focus on the product and strips away any extravagant element that may be present. This particular style of packaging is known for its lack of traditional logos as is pretty evident in the above image. Instead, basic abstract shapes are used to represent a product. In its “ultra-pure” form, the packaging tends to make a better impact than traditional packaging designs.

Visual Authenticity

Image via Sarahkrelle on Instagram
“Visual Authenticity” is a packaging design style that focuses on rustic and raw elements than the utilization of an extravagant visual appeal. One of the most noticeable elements of this design is the use of typography which may range from freeform to a handwritten format. This is not a new concept. Rather, it has been in existence for almost 5 years with design experts relying on raw woods, unaltered metals, and natural inspiration to come up with a craftsman-like approach to packaging designs. You will find that such designs make use of packaging materials which help in creating a handmade and natural appeal.

Personalization

Photo Credit: Bigfoot
Who doesn’t like personalization? Gone are the days when businesses could woo customers by just a fancy tagline or a celebrity endorsement. Personalization goes far beyond the boundaries of visual representation only. The most well-known example of this form of packaging design is Coca Cola’s “Share a Coke” campaign. The company had 250 different first names printed on the labels.


Image Credit: Coca Cola UK
Obviously it would not have been possible for the company to provide first names for all the regions around the world. But it did manage to put in quite a few names. In line with this personalization strategy, Coca Cola Israel has brought out 2 million individualized bottle designs for Diet Coke.  This is the form of personalization in packaging design that is gaining popularity and will be one of the most prominent trends in 2015.

Shared Stories

Image Credit: Flip Flop Design UK
The main purpose of branding is to establish a connection with the customers so that they may relate more with a particular product. For consumers, this means searching for an emotional value in the product. For businesses, this may turn out to be huge advantage with which it would be possible to manage the competition in the market. A really good way of achieving this is with the use of shared stories. With this, it would become possible for brands to come closer to the customer instead of seeming like a distant unapproachable entity.


Using Innovation to Achieve Widespread Appeal

Image Credit: Gurukul
Even though you may have a specific consumer group in mind while designing your product’s package, but it is important that a wider audience be targeted, especially on a global level. It is only through innovation, compassion, creativity, and adherence to green practices that it would be possible to reach out to people everywhere. No exact parameters are defined as such. The appeal may be brought out by any means necessary and as deemed to be fit for the product.

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