Long time no see! 4 packaging design trends falling out of fashion

A big part of staying in the increasingly competitive packaging game is knowing when it’s time to let go. Of design trends, that is. Read on to discover which packaging design trends are falling out of fashion in 2018.

1.     Unsustainable packaging materials

Yes, we hear you. Wasteful packaging material isn’t exactly what you’d call a ‘design trend’, but it has been one of those bad habits the industry just couldn’t seem to get rid of – until recently. As consumers grow more eco-conscious and are even willing to pay a little extra for packaging they deem sustainable, the industry is finally following suit. Expect to see lots and lots of traditional plastics replaced by biodegradable alternatives (including paper, hemp and even film made of milk protein).

2.     Masculine packaging design trends

Before Pantone introduced feminine hues like Pink Lavender and Blooming Dahlia to the packaging scene earlier this year, packaging design was trending toward a masculine overall aesthetic. Bold graphics, explosive colors and angular shapes are now making way for more intricate designs with soothing pastels and soft lines.

3.     Tiny typefaces

While surely classy, tiny typography does have its disadvantages in a world where the consumer’s attention span continues to shrink. To stand out on the shelf and communicate brand messages as clearly as possible, packaging designers are increasingly replacing small typefaces with bigger, bolder fonts.

4.     “Let’s just cram it all in”

Minimalist packaging design is nothing new, but after having existed next to cluttered designs for years it is now finally making a break-through as a trend in its own right. Gone are the heydays of busy packaging that combines too many fonts and desperately tries to fill in every inch of space available. Today, packaging design is all about sticking to the bare minimum and making good use of negative space.

Inspired by Packaging Digest