A new year is fast approaching and for many, 2020 can’t end soon enough. However, for packaging design it has been a year of lessons. We’ve realized just how important e-commerce can be to our daily lives and for many consumers, they’ve found a renewed connection to brands and their favorite products.
When browsing this list you’ll probably notice some very different approaches to packaging art, from simple geometric shapes to intricate drawings. You might have noticed that we used “art” and not designs to describe what will decorate our packaging in 2021. That’s because packaging design is moving away from the “commercial” look.
We mentioned the importance of e-commerce. Admit it, we love the convenience. But, we lose out on the experience, and brands are making up for that by making their products’ packaging the experience.
No, the packaging design of 2021 and years to come isn’t meant to replace the shopping experience, but instead as an effort to meet where consumers are right now to deliver a brand experience.
Let’s take a look at what exciting packaging design trends lie In store for 2021!
Simplistic Geometry
You won’t see a lot of simplicity in 2021 packaging designs, except for when it come to simple yet bold colored geometric artwork.
The clean lines and sharp angles will communicate what’s in the packaging in a more abstract way than most of the other items that make the list of 2021 packaging trends.
These package designs will be high impact and will do their part to ensure customers remember the brands through packaging design.
Organic Shaped Color Blocking
Color blocking isn’t new to packaging design, but 2021 is adding a new twist with dots and blips along with more organic shapes.
Gone are the clean lines and organized shapes of color. In 2021 we’ll see more texturing that will be unbalanced with greater variance in shape and weight. Color blocking will feel much more organic in 2021.
All Over Solid Color
Alongside fanciful artwork for packaging design, you’ll see solid bold colors. Sounds boring, right? Wrong, because this packaging will be full of its own character.
You’ve probably already noticed the packaging uses bold colors and puts an emphasis on copy. Even the packaging that doesn’t go bright and bold, still uses some out of the ordinary color selection. Also since eyes are drawn to the copy and the product isn’t shown outright, the consumer experiences some feelings of anticipation.
Tiny Illustrated Patterns Reveal the Product
We’ll see on 2021 that small illustrations can do more than just embellish the artwork on packaging, but they can also reveal the contents. Expect to see an abundance of intricate patterns and small illustrations that tell you what’s inside the package.
Although the artwork will reveal the contents, it’ll be done in an abstract way. Instead of showing the actual tea bags, the patterns or illustrations will reveal the ingredients or origins of the tea.
Whimsical small illustrations and intricate patterns will show you what you’re getting without being too literal or overwhelming.
Quirky Characters & Stories
Storytelling is the key to effective branding, and in 2021 you’re going to see many brands storytelling through packaging.
You’ll see a multitude of quirky characters that will be bring brands to life. Think of it as a cartoonish comic book for the shopper. Just take a look above for a great example, see St. Palmeri’s Peachocalypse.
Authentically Vintage Experience
Vintage design isn’t new and has been a cool thing to do for years. However, 2021 is bringing vintage to the entire unboxing experience. Packaging won’t only have some vintage inspired graphics, instead the entire experience will be as if you’ve grabbed the product off of your grandmother’s shelf.
We’re looking at elements beyond design here. Vintage will be brought to the packaging textures and process for opening the packaging.
Perfect Symmetry
You’re not crazy. It’s common for trends to be contradictory. Yes, the color blocking trend is asymmetrical and organic. But, we’ll also see beautiful picture perfect symmetry in use for some brand’s packaging design.
Not all of the designs you see will be beautifully ornate. Some will seemingly appear beautifully looser and use negative space to create a different feeling. Your brain will definitely notice and that recognition will create the same perception of perfection.
Packaging Wrapped in Fine Art
Expect to see a lot of packaging designs where the packaging itself is art. As you might have expected, this packaging design will most commonly be seen with high end products, but you might see it creep into some mid-range products.
You might see some packaging design inspired by the old world masters, but most of the packaging fine art will be abstract. The primary goal isn’t the art, but the impression of texture that’s associated with paintings.
Technical & Anatomical Drawings
Feel like you’ve been browsing through an art gallery and not a list of packaging design trends? Now it’s time for the science textbook part, seriously, you’ll see some brands taking the route of anatomical or technical illustrations.
Maybe people are tired of minimalism? Who knows! Get ready to see more designs going into extreme detail to be technically or anatomically correct. If you had your biology or physics textbook in high school, we hope you don’t suffer any flashbacks to dreaded final exams.
Front & Center Product Names
Another route being taken is for the brand name to be the packaging design itself, with a loud and very presence. Here the creativity is applied to the actual lettering of the brand name and gives the brand its distinct personality.
This style of packaging design removes all doubt of the product name. This makes it a great packaging design style choice for newer brands or products that are trying to raise brand awareness. The entire aesthetic is based on the name typography and all other design elements are merely there to enhance the visuals.
Are Your Ready to Update Your Packaging Design for 2021?
Are you planning on the release of a new product or refreshing a brand in 2021? Why not dress it in one of these fun and exciting design styles? Great packaging gets consumers excited and we’re ready to help you design the excitement of your brand experience for customers.
Let’s Talk About Your Brand
shane@3catslabs.com | Call +65-3159-4231
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