Packaging trends are changing all the time to keep up with consumer demands. With so many different products available on the market, companies are always trying to outdo each other to stay ahead of the game and remain one step ahead of their competitors. To ensure that they are doing exactly that manufacturers work around the clock coming up with new and inventive ways of displaying their products. 2017 is no different from any year, and we can expect to see some significant changes as well as some old favourites.
Back to basics
Trends have a habit of coming back around. More often than not we see something come into fashion, go out of fashion and then come back into fashion. A perfect example of this is leggings. Packaging is no different, and we are likely to see that this year as companies reach out for simple designs that are clear and bold. Less is sometimes more, particularly when the packaging illustrates a product well ensuring that the customer knows what it is, even at a glance.
Getting personal
There's something warming about adding a personal touch to packaging. It feels much more loved, homemade and unique compared to digital designs. We have already seen a comeback in custom lettering, and we expect that to soar over the course of 2017. Hand lettering offers the customer an organic experience where they can see the small imperfections and uneven lines that come with handwritten letters.
Don’t be shy with colours
Adding colour to packaging is an excellent way of evoking a person's emotions. Colours are personal and mean something different to each individual. Colour has therefore always played a significant role in packaging design and will continue to do so. This year we expect to see much more colour in our packaging including brighter and bolder designs. Colours are also used within different brands to differentiate between the various flavours or scents of the same product. Customers can relate to the colour of a product rather than the flavour, for example, bright red for strawberry flavoured tea. The use of strong and vibrant colours used correctly can also limit the number of words needed for the packaging.
Go pattern mad
Patterns, like colour, can also arouse a person's emotions. The use of patterns on packaging has been used over the years however we have seen a rise in this year. Patterns can elevate the look of packaging taking it from ordinary to eerie. Patterns often work well when they are repeated over and over. The thought of this can be fairly overwhelming however if they are used correctly they can look lively and captivating. The use of patterns also helps customers to identify with your products as it is something that they can remember well.
Tell a story with images
More and more packaging features narrative illustrations that can take you into a fantasy world. Illustrations such as these work well as they provide an opportunity to connect with your audience. We all love stories and being able to find and discover them on packaging can be a magical feeling. We believe that 2017 is going to be full of stories.
Mail it
There was a time receiving something in the post was exciting. Packages and letters came wrapped in crisp brown paper and stamped with delivery addresses. It is rare that we communicate in this manner now with new and improved ways of getting hold of one another. Well, now its time to feel the excitement again. There is a growing trend for packaging to resemble the good ole parcel days giving products an authentic feel.
Die cutting can be fun
Die cutting is the process of cutting holes into your packaging to create a window through which customers can see. It has been common practice to conceal the contents of a package, but now we can see a rising trend in allowing people to see inside. If done creatively die cutting can be an extremely effective way of grabbing the attention of consumers. The window can be incorporated into the packaging design in such a way that the product inside becomes part of it.
Go green
We are becoming more and more concerned with the environment and the effects we are having on it. Businesses are therefore working hard to ensure that they do their bit by offering eco-friendly packaging alternatives. Biodegradable packaging is better for the environment and materials that can be recycled guarantee their reuse providing consumers dispose of them correctly. There is a range of eco-friendly packaging options popping up, and we think that 2017 will see a huge rise in these. Hopefully, some of these ingenious ideas will be hitting our shelves this year.
