Want to know what packaging design trends will be big in 2024? Discover 16 trends and ideas that you need to know about in the year ahead.
PACKAGING DESIGN TREND #1 – The Bioplastic Shuffle
Major brands are turning to bioplastics, but their impact on our environment remains uncertain. While they may boast a lower carbon footprint, the resource-intensive land requirements and unclear recycling prospects raise red flags.
The challenges and questions surrounding bioplastics highlight the need for a thoughtful approach for designers and brands. Infrastructure for wide-scale adoption is lacking, and brands must take responsibility for the full life cycle assessment. Merely swapping one plastic for another won’t solve the problem.
So make responsible choices and push for sustainable practices that stand the test of time.
PACKAGING DESIGN TREND #2 – Yes Chef!
Next up in our 2024 design trends series is the rise of chef-driven aesthetics in the food and beverage industry!
The pandemic fueled a love for cooking, inspiring brands like Momofukuku to offer accessible delights. Chef-driven design adds a unique twist, turning everyday products into culinary experiences.
This trend highlights the importance of incorporating gourmet aesthetics and flavors into food and beverage offerings.
PACKAGING DESIGN TREND #3 – Barbie World
Designs centered on the female experience.
Embracing womanhood in design isn’t just about pink, though – it’s about the cultural shift influencing designs that resonate with women. From Widarto Impact’s Pinklab.Co to the COLLINS’ Girl Scouts rebrand, this trend goes beyond aesthetics to embrace women’s health, self-care, and amplifying voices.
Here’s to increased inclusivity in design in 2024!
PACKAGING DESIGN TREND #4 – New Wave Quirk
Say goodbye to polished and sterile—we’re breaking away from traditional design seriousness!
Embrace the imperfect with hand-drawn illustrations and handwritten text that gives brands a nonchalant appeal.
This packaging trend goes beyond the ordinary with handmade elements like stickers, paperclips, cardboard, and chalk typography. It’s not just about retro drawings; it’s a movement reacting against digital aesthetics, longing for the return of the human touch in design.
Design in 2024 is set to blend old-school nostalgia with modern innovation.
PACKAGING DESIGN TREND #5 – Never Ending Eras Tour
Our fifth design trend for 2024 is all about creating a distinct identity for our brands.
The 90s packaging design comeback is real, but the nostalgia wave is all over the place, dancing between the 80s, 00s, and even the 50s.
Social media is further fueling these trends, and the challenge lies in establishing lasting cultural impact amid the chaotic, remix-driven landscape.
Not all retro is bad, but the trend in 2024 is to pave your own way and create a distinct identity for your brand.
PACKAGING DESIGN TREND #6 – Pride and Prejudiced
Designers, design with purpose and sensitivity when creating Pride campaigns.
We need to avoid the commercialization of marginalized communities and instead focus on amplifying support and making a positive impact.
Let’s learn from the challenges faced in 2023, such as trans-influencer attacks and employee safety concerns. By taking these lessons into account, we can ensure that our designs for inclusion are not only visually appealing but also respectful and supportive.
Together, let’s promote brand accountability and create a more inclusive world.
PACKAGING DESIGN TREND #7 – I Like My Fonts Real Thick and Juicy
Dive into the world of bold and juicy fonts with a burst of creativity!
In trend #7 in our 2024 design trend series, designers are shaking up the scene, bringing chunky fonts into the spotlight. Just look at Jell-O’s vibrant makeover!
These thick fonts add dramatic flair and pleasing plumpness, building an extra layer of personality to packaging and branding.
Whether you fully embrace the trend or just flirt with a touch of thickness, there’s no denying the impact these fonts can make.
PACKAGING DESIGN TREND #8 – Hostile Branding
Ever heard of “hostile branding” or “anti-branding”?
While most brands choose a friendly approach, a few rebels excel by embracing indifference or outright hostility to stand out from the crowd.
Take a look at Liquid Death, a brand with an unapologetically bold identity addressing environmental issues head-on.
In a world of endless noise, consider pushing boundaries to create designs that captivate and challenge the status quo!
PACKAGING DESIGN TREND #9 – Big Beer Nostalgia
Take a trip down memory lane when it comes to beer packaging design.
Whether it’s heritage brands or the latest non-alcoholic brews, designers are embracing mid-century visuals to create a nostalgic vibe that captivates consumers. A prime example is the Stay Classy packaging, crafted by Doublenaut with a dive-bar-inspired twist! Join the movement where what’s old becomes new again when it comes to brew design.
PACKAGING DESIGN TREND #10 – Ribbed For Our Pleasure
Ribbed glass bottles are staging a triumphant comeback!
Campari’s recent revamp and Perrier’s collaboration with designer Phillipe Starck are just the beginning.
Beyond enhancing shelf presence, these elegant details turn packaging into keepsakes, promoting reuse and adding a touch of class.
The tactile ridges offer a sensory experience, creating memorable vessels that linger in consumers’ minds.
This approach to packaging not only elevates the product’s aesthetics but also builds a lasting connection between consumers and the brand.
PACKAGING DESIGN TREND #11 – A Recycling Reckoning
Less than 10% of plastic in the US gets recycled – a stark reality that conscious consumers are waking up to.
Companies using the recycling symbol for a green image, beware! Wishcycling won’t cut it anymore. States like California are considering banning the recycling symbol, and Europe’s plastic taxation laws are in full swing.
Major retailers like REI and Ulta Beauty are shifting gears towards sustainability, leaving no room for brands not keeping up.
The pressure is on, especially from eco-conscious Gen Z and Millennials.
PACKAGING DESIGN TREND #12 – You Better Shape Up
Packaging is more than just color and fonts—it’s a canvas for bold shapes and creativity!
Patterns, polka dots, and chevrons are becoming dated. So it’s time for shapes to take the spotlight!
Think beyond the ordinary—window cut-outs aren’t just for practicality anymore; they’re a crucial part of your brand’s aesthetic. Embrace the power of minimalist and geometric shapes as primary decorative elements.
In a sea of intricate patterns, bold shapes paired with clean typography are instant disruptors, signaling a brand that’s both bold and approachable.
Jazz up your designs with flawless shapes that convey openness and confidence. ✨
PACKAGING DESIGN TREND #13 – Nouveau Deco
Embrace the glamour of the Twenties with Nouveau Deco!
Bold geometric patterns, rich colors, and a touch of opulence blend timeless elegance with avant-garde flair.
Consumers crave nostalgia, and Nouveau Deco offers a bit of glamour in our daily lives. Integrate 20s and 30s styles with holographic foils for fresh, playful packaging that satisfies consumers yearning for the past.
PACKAGING DESIGN TREND #14 – Craftcore in the Age of Ai
Trend 14 in our 2024 design trend series is about celebrating the human element of design.
The tail end of 2023 was flooded with AI-generated content, making the value of handcrafted, unique designs more significant than ever!
Adobe’s Firefly and other AI tools are powerful “assistants,” but there’s a growing wave of low-effort, AI-generated “art” saturating our social feeds.
In 2024, designers should look towards celebrating the intangible value of human investment—time, energy, and passion—that goes into conceptualizing, designing, and executing truly exceptional creations.
PACKAGING DESIGN TREND #15 – Whats Your Type?
In design, less is more! Brands are ditching flashy visuals for typography.
Letters convey identity, simplify recognition, and spark emotions. Simplicity, versatility, and timeless charm—that’s what letter-centric designs bring to the table.
Stand out on the shelf by focusing on essential elements. Bold letters with vibrant colors command attention, while playful charm radiates from dazzling colors paired with lowercase sans-serif typography.
Let your consumers know who you are by embracing minimalist and text-centric design!
PACKAGING DESIGN TREND #16 – Refill Systems Get Smart
Our sixteenth and final trend to wrap up this series is here!
Did you know that refillable systems are taking over everything from home cleansers to toiletries and coffee?
The magic lies in using less packaging and refilling the same container, reducing our environmental impact.
But here’s the twist – many refill systems still use plastic packaging, which kind of defeats the purpose of cutting down on single-use plastic.
Some innovative brands are flipping the script, prioritizing convenience without resorting to plastic packaging.
Many emerging trends in 2024 are simply re-interpretations of packaging trends from the past. But the key themes that keep cropping up revolve around sustainability, reusability, and bold branding that captures the eye of your consumers and sets you apart from the crowd!
See this article on the top 16 design trends to learn more.
The PageProof team is excited to share these trends on a yearly basis, showcasing companies that are standouts within their industry. Are you curious to see how these trends have evolved over the past year? Well, have a read through the design trends from 2023 to get some perspective. Don’t forget to check out PageProof’s packaging proofing functionality to ensure your next product launch is pixel-perfect.
