By: Amy
Finn | December 9th, 2013
No matter how much people rely on social
media and emails to communicate, the one thing that they’ll never stop needing
is packaging. Packaging is just as important as the product itself, and it goes
a long way toward convincing customers that they want what’s inside.
Most people don’t think
about the packaging on the products they purchase or the boxes that those
products are mailed in. But it has a tremendous impact, and just like any
industry, the packaging industry is subject to trends and developments. Here
are some of the exciting new developments to watch for in 2014.
Environmentally Friendly
The green movement is continuing to gather strength, and
environmentally friendly packages are a great way to make inroads with
concerned customers. As a result, many businesses are looking toward investing
in packages that are environmentally friendly either because they are
biodegradable or made from recycled products. It makes for a great selling
point and reduces consumer guilt about buying products in packages.
Multi Use
Sometimes people buy products just as much for the bonuses as
they do for the actual product. Packages that serve multiple uses are going to
be even more popular in 2014. Even if the packaging itself isn’t
environmentally friendly, a product that has a package with multiple uses will
still be seen as superior to one that only contains the product. The packaging
design needs to make the multiple uses clear, though, or else this trend won’t
succeed.
Functional Forms
In line
with the environmentally friendly and multi-use trend is the functional form.
Functionality goes beyond multiple uses, though. It’s about packages that help
solve problems for the seller as well as the consumer. Packages that are easier
to stack, that can be interlocked, or that provide greater storage
capacity are likely to increase in popularity as well. This, in turn, makes it
easier for customers to stock up on the products. They can make the most of
their own limited space while still getting as much as they need or want.
Mascot Incorporation
When it
comes to cartoon characters, creative packaging can turn a boring product
package into an exciting must-have option. McDonald’s realized this long ago
with their Happy Meals designed to look like little houses, complete with
cutout doors for the Cabbage Patch dolls. But for quite some time, those
creative packaging options relied primarily on simple box shaped designs. With
breakthroughs in the printing industry including 3D printing, such limitations
won’t be as big of an issue in 2014. This means that businesses that want to
explore more creative options for mascot incorporation will be able to do it.
Product
Variation
According
to Packaging Trends: Key Macro Trends
Affecting Packaging Design, one of the bigger changes
that is likely to develop is technology that causes the product to change if it
spoils or passes its expiration date. This may not be critical for many non-perishable
product developers, but food, drink, and other perishable products will benefit
significantly from this trend. It’s not clear yet how these packages will work,
but they’re generating a lot of excitement, particularly since they will
increase consumer awareness and reduce the risk of selling contaminated or
expired products.
The Matte Finish
From Glamour magazine to the pamphlet “Projected
Business Trends in Indiana for 2014,” the matte finish looks to be one of the
more common design elements in packaging. It isn’t as sleek or as stylish as a
polished finish, but it isn’t tacky either. Visually, it stands out. Bright
colors can be used, but they aren’t as overpowering because the matte subdues
them.
Image
Credit: http://minimalio.tumblr.com/page/7
Minimalist Design
The
minimalist design movement has made some of the biggest waves in the web design
community, particularly on mobile websites and iOS platforms. Simple
black-and-white photography and flatted UIs have created a whole new palette.
For businesses with products to sell from their websites, matching the
packaging design with the web design can be a great step. An added benefit is
that the minimalist design tends to be less expensive to print, which also
makes it popular.
Packaging
isn’t going to go away any time soon, but it is going to keep developing. 2014
looks to be an exciting time with new trends. Packages that are environmentally
friendly while also having multiple uses will likely develop. The functional
form that benefits the seller as much as the consumer will also probably make
its showing and increase in popularity, particularly as it resolves common
problems for shop owners. Of course, packaging trends for 2014 will also extend
to safety measures along with product variation changes to indicate expiration
or tampering. And design changes will likely move toward the matte finish as
well as the minimalist design. Look for packaging to be more exciting than
ever.
Amy is
Vice President of Finn Industries Inc., a
folding carton and set-up box manufacturer located in Southern California. Her
primary focus is on sales development, creating marketing strategies and
customer service management. Prior to working at Finn, she spent eight years in
the recruiting industry and running for-profit educational centers where she
cultivated her communication, business development and leadership skills. She
believes a positive customer experience is crucial to the success of the
company. In her free time, Amy enjoys yoga, cooking and gardening. She
holds a bachelor’s degree from Drew University in Behavioral Science.
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