As every year comes to an end, consumers are reminiscing about the simpler times and are craving light-heartedness in their everyday products to beat the pandemic gloom.

So, brands must create functional and stylish packaging that conveys these emotions to attract new and old customers, because as Delia Smith says,

That’s why, we’ve compiled a list of 10 packaging trends that’ll rule in 2024. Here’s what’s included in the article:

1. Vintage Designs 

Vintage designs, especially the groovy typefaces and colors of the 60s, are slowly making an entrance in plenty of packaging designs. 

This comeback is mostly because the “psychedelic 60s” era reminds the masses of peace, hope, and love, major emotions we’re clinging to as we head deeper into the pandemic. 

Be careful of going down the vintage route, though. If you’re in an industry like pharma where vintage packaging goes against the consumer’s expectation, it’s better to stick to modern-looking branding. 

Similarly, avoid the vintage imagery if it won’t add an element of nostalgia or positive feelings to your product or industry. 

And if you’re still not sure if vintage will work for your brand, ask yourself what you’re trying to communicate with vintage designs and check if any of your competitors are using vintage designs and if it’s working for them.

2. Localized Imagery

Humans are hardwired to draw meanings from imagery, and more than 60 percent of consumers also state that product imagery influences their buying decisions. 

So, using localized imagery in your packaging will evoke feelings of home and make your brand relatable to consumers, especially when many of them are unable to return home because of pandemic travel restrictions.  

And don’t restrict yourself to only landmarks in your packaging. You can also use local buildings, street signs, lifestyle, weather etc., so consumers can connect with it better. 

For example, although the Taj Mahal is India’s historical landmark, locals in Jaipur might relate better to the imagery of the palaces in the city. 

The only caveat of using localized imagery is that you’ve got to be sensitive to the meaning of images used in your packaging.  For instance, dragons are seen as a symbol of good luck in China, while they’re viewed as a bad omen in other cultures. 

3. Smart Packaging 

While conventional packaging simply displays product information and stores the product, smart packaging extends this functionality by introducing technology that enables better traceability and improves the product’s shelf-life. 

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Smart packaging can be broken down into active and intelligent packaging depending on whether it interacts with the product inside or communicates information to the user. 

(Active packaging releases compounds that enrich the product inside or eliminate contaminants to improve its shelf life.

On the other hand, Intelligent packaging communicates important information like the shelf-life, temperature, contamination, etc. of the product through indicators, QR codes, etc.)

And although the smart packaging industry is relatively new, it helps build trust with the consumer, optimizes your logistics, reduces waste, and helps improve authentication and traceability. 

So, don’t discount the impact of switching to smart packaging, especially if you’re in the pharma or the raw foods space. 

4. Sustainable Packaging 

As consumers are more conscious of how their purchases affect the environment, they prefer products with eco-friendly packaging. So, switching to sustainable packaging will satisfy consumer demands and help you save storage space and reduce the usage of resources. 

This is because shifting to sustainability means you’re being more efficient with packaging, and you end up with more space, thereby reducing your packaging weight by 78% and reducing your freight charges. 

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Moreover, the raw texture and simplistic design of compostable materials also looks stylish and attracts even those who aren’t environment-conscious. 

5. Inclusive Packaging 

Inclusive packaging boosts consumer’s confidence and helps boost your brand’s sales and following, although catering to a minority seems counterintuitive. 

For example, Rihanna’s brand, Fenty Beauty, garnered many followers, and landed a spot in the Times’ Top 25 Inventions list for inclusive products and packaging. 

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So, using inclusive packaging is important, especially if you’re in the beauty industry, as it makes your consumers feel important and transmits your values at a glance. 

You can also look at more beauty trends that defined the industry in 2024 for more packaging inspiration.

Moving parts

The trend of incorporating innovative moving parts into packaging design is a creative response to the growing consumer demand for not just products, but experiences. This approach transforms the act of unboxing into an engaging, memorable event that can significantly enhance the consumer's interaction with the product.

By integrating moving parts, designers are able to create a dynamic unboxing experience that surprises and delights customers. This can range from simple interactive elements to complex mechanisms that reveal the product in stages or through engaging actions.

Additionally, innovative moving parts offer brands a unique opportunity to stand out in a crowded market. By embedding creativity and interactivity into the packaging, brands can leave a lasting impression on consumers, fostering brand loyalty. 

Shadow play

The trend of Shadow Play in packaging design represents a sophisticated and artistic approach to brand storytelling and visual communication. By employing shadows, silhouettes, and contrasts, designers can craft packaging that speaks volumes through minimalism and subtlety. This trend is not just about aesthetics; it's a strategic tool for creating deep emotional connections and conveying brand messages in a nuanced manner.

Shadow Play relies on the power of suggestion rather than explicit depiction. This minimalist approach can make a strong impact, allowing consumers to fill in the gaps with their imagination, thereby creating a more personal connection with the brand.

Furthermore, the shadows and silhouettes can be designed to evoke specific emotions or associations. For example, a silhouette of a mountain range might evoke feelings of adventure and freedom, aligning with a brand that values exploration and outdoor activities

Subtle details

The trend of incorporating Subtle Details into packaging design is a nuanced approach that emphasizes the importance of the finer elements in creating a comprehensive and engaging brand narrative. It’s about leveraging the less obvious aspects of design to tell a story, evoke emotions, or convey a brand's values in a manner that resonates deeply with consumers. 

Subtle details in packaging can create a deep emotional connection with consumers. By discovering these small, thoughtful elements, consumers feel a sense of discovery and personal connection to the brand, as if they're in on a secret or part of an exclusive experience.

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This trend allows for a more layered approach to brand storytelling. Instead of overt messages, brands can use subtle design cues, such as textures, patterns, or hidden messages, to slowly reveal their story or values. This method invites consumers to engage more deeply with the packaging and, by extension, the brand itself.

Rock textures

The Rock Textures trend in packaging design is a fascinating evolution that emphasizes the connection between the product and its natural origins. This trend goes beyond mere aesthetics; it's about invoking a sensory experience that resonates with consumers on a deeper level, emphasizing authenticity, sustainability, and the intrinsic value of nature.

Rock textures in packaging design engage consumers' sense of touch and sight, offering a multisensory experience that can make the product stand out. This tactile interaction not only enhances the perceived quality of the product but also strengthens the emotional bond between the consumer and the brand.

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By incorporating elements that mimic natural textures, brands can communicate their commitment to natural ingredients, eco-friendliness, or sustainability. This trend is particularly relevant in industries like cosmetics, food and beverages, and lifestyle products, where the origin and purity of ingredients are significant selling points.

Overall, employing rock textures can elevate a brand's perception, suggesting quality, luxury, or a strong environmental ethos. This differentiation is vital in competitive markets where consumers are bombarded with choices.

Wrapping Up

Keeping track of the latest packaging and labeling trends helps you stay relevant, convey your values, attract new consumers, and improve sales.

While staying abreast of the trends is important, maintaining compliance and sticking to the best artwork management practices is also necessary.

Artwork Flow offers label management solution that streamlines the label management process by helping you identify errors in the packaging design, accelerating the approval process, running compliance checks with ComplyAI, and more.

If you want to take a step further to ensure compliance, improve the efficiency of your package and label management process, and simplify it, book a demo with us.