5 KEY PACKAGING DESIGN TRENDS FOR 2019

 

We asked Gareth from DesignPIT to speak to us about some of his packaging design trends.

As we slide out of festive season and roll through January, Christmas seems like a distant memory and we are well and truly back on the cart of work! I wanted to take some time to look ahead and map out some of the key trends that I believe will have a credible impact on packaging design in the next year.

1) Minimalism

Less really is more in 2019! Brands are more transparent and accessible than ever and they will start reflect the openness and simplicity of brand message with some slick and simple packaging designs. Stripping away anything that is non-essential and revealing the true substance of a product is something we will start to see more and more of this year.

Check out this clean and simple vodka bottle label we created for Sun Bear Vodka.

2) Soft Colour Gradients

Gradients are a great way of adding depth to packaging media. The year will see gradients used to break up empty space with subtle use of colours. This technique will be more prevalent in areas such as craft alcohol sector where more feminine products like Gin will embrace this technique to enhance detailed graphics. Watch out for pastel colour shades being built into soft gradients across products like these in the coming months.

3) Vintage Inspired Packaging

There are so many brands competing for market share nowadays that history and heritage in a brand are elements that are becoming lost. As consumers crave more and more products, solutions and answers to problems, brands seem to be invented or reinvented every five minutes. I believe that heritage and longevity in a brand are two core elements that help to build trust in consumers, and this will lead to packaging that is designed for new products or brands being heavily vintage in style. That hipster cool, old fashioned look and feel helps to build a bit of history and heritage in the minds eye, even though the brand may only be a few months old.

4) Flat Style Illustration

Look out for some bold and bright, flat styled illustrations in packaging this year. Flat illustration is nothing new in general design terms, having been around since the 1920s and used extensively in print design. I feel the timing is right for this style of illustration to start to make more of an appearance in packaging design.

Check out this cool example of flat illustration here; this box sleeve was one of the top selling sock products in Next stores over summer 2018… Designed by us!

5) Minimal Plastic or Free-from Plastic Packaging

The impact of our footprint on planet Earth has been very clearly documented in the media over recent months. The sheer volume of plastic waste has been laid bare on our computer screens over social media, on television and across the newspapers. Brands simply cannot afford to ignore the impact of discarded packaging on our environment and this year will see more and more plastic free or minimal plastic packaging hit the shelves.