As humans, we like our food to look good — even before we taste it and, sometimes, before we even see it.
Which is why your food product’s packaging design is so crucial! Your packaging is the first thing your customer sees, and you better believe that it can make or break their decision on whether to pick your product up and take it home or leave it there on the shelf.
And it’s not all about looks. Having an innovative package design for your food products can create an experience all on its own, communicating your brand story and even enhancing the product itself!
So, whether you’re getting ready to launch a new food product or thinking about revamping your existing packaging for a bolder, more eye-catching look, today’s blog is taking you through 7 ways to create innovative food packaging that will leave your customers hungry for more!
Why Your Food Packaging Matters
The food industry is a competitive one.
We don’t have to tell you that your packaging does more than just hold your product — it’s a crucial element in your brand's success. Good packaging not only can influence a hungry customer’s buying decisions, but it can also boost the experience and position your brand in a positive light.
Here are some more reasons why your food packaging matters:
- First Impressions — Attractive, eye-catching packaging can grab attention and make your product stand out on crowded shelves.
- Brand Identity — Well-designed packaging communicates your brand's story, values, and uniqueness to your customers.
- Consumer Trust — High-quality design and packaging materials suggest a high-quality product, which builds trust and can encourage repeat purchases.
- Functionality — Well-designed packaging protects the product and improves usability for the consumer.
- Sustainability — Eco-friendly packaging choices appeal to the growing market of environmentally conscious consumers.
- Legal Compliance — Good label design with all the necessary information can keep you compliant with regulations, protecting your brand from potential legal issues.
7 Top Tips for Innovative Food Packaging Design
So, what goes into creating quality and innovative food packaging design that sets your brand apart?
We’re glad you asked! Follow these 7 tips and start revamping your packaging to make a lasting impression on your customers, boost your boost recognition, and stand out amongst your competitors!
1. Know What Would Delight Your Audience
First things, first.
Before you start your design, you’re going to need to take some time to understand just what your target audience's preferences, needs, and wants are going to be.
Are they looking for convenience? A food product that they can toss in a lunch box or throw in a backpack without worrying about damage? Would they prefer something sustainable that they can recycle once they’ve eaten your product?
Are they drawn to the kind of design with bold colors and unique shapes? Or maybe something sleek and minimal? Would they be interested in packaging that could double as a collectible or reusable item?
Whatever it is that would delight your audience, find out! Conduct surveys, focus groups, and market research to identify what kind of packaging design and features your audience would value most, and then design your packaging accordingly!
2. Think Smart
Packaging can (and should!) go beyond just looking good and protecting its contents.
Innovative packaging design can significantly boost your customer’s experience if you do it right! Once you’ve researched what kind of elements would delight your audience, consider incorporating some interactive elements into your design.
Whether it’s QR codes that link to recipe ideas, your blog, nutritional information, and promotional content, or augmented reality-enabled packaging that can engage your customer through their smartphones, these elements not only add value but leave a lasting impression that encourages repeat purchases.
3. Use Sustainable Packaging
When you’re deciding on what kind of material to print your packaging design on, keep in mind that there is a growing consumer demand for eco-friendly products that minimize your company’s carbon footprint.
Sustainable packaging isn’t just a trend anymore, but a necessity.
Consider using recyclable or biodegradable/compostable material in your packaging to not only meet this growing demand but to highlight your brand’s commitment to protecting the environment.
You can also use your design to communicate that commitment to sustainability and showcase the use of recycled materials and your brand’s eco-friendly practices directly on your packaging.
4. Create Multi-Functional Design
Again, your packaging can do more than hold your product — it can create an experience too!
If it works with your product, consider a packaging design that encourages reusability and repurposing.
For example, a beautifully designed box is one that a customer might value and collect, using it as a storage container instead of throwing it away once your product is consumed, or a label with interactive features that could be peeled off and used as a sticker.
By adding these creative touches in your design, you can not only boost the user experience but add value to your products and encourage repeat sales!
5. Be Unique
If you want your food products to stand out on the shelves, then you’ve got to have a striking and unique design.
Think about how your product will look on the shelf next to your competitors and what it would take to draw your audience’s eyes to your products over theirs.
Whether that’s bold color palettes, unconventional shapes and callouts, or attention-grabbing typography, your packaging design should reflect your brand’s unique personality and voice and make a memorable impression on your audience.
A distinctive and creative approach to your packaging design not only grabs attention in a good way but communicates your brand to help you stand out in a crowded market.
However, …
6. Don’t Overdo It
… while creativity is essential, simplicity is also a very powerful tool.
Avoid cluttering your packaging with too many visual elements or overwhelming your consumers with too many call-out boxes and information. Instead, focus on clear, concise messaging and a clean brand design that catches the eye and communicates your product’s value at a glance.
7. Team Up
If it would be beneficial to your target audience, consider teaming up with local artists, social media influencers, or other designers to create limited-edition packaging that is fresh, exciting, and exclusive!
This will not only generate some buzz for your product but also boost loyalty in your brand by offering something unique that your consumers can collect, display, and share on social media.
Collaborating with others will also help you expand your reach by tapping into the fan bases of the artists or influencers you choose to team up with, boosting your visibility, creating some positive word-of-mouth marketing, and giving your products credibility both online and offline.
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Does Your Food Product Need Some Innovative Packaging Design?
Whether you’re launching a brand-new product or just looking to revamp the look of your existing product’s packaging, finding the right designers for the job is the first place to start.
And if you’re reading this article, then consider yourself lucky because you’re already in the right place!
Designity is made up of the top 3% of all of the talented creatives who apply, meaning that our creative community is made up of the best of the best in fields like graphic design, packaging design, illustration, and more — everyone you need to revitalize the look of your packaging design and make your products shine on the shelves!
In addition to giving you access to the best designers around, each Designity account also provides you with a designated Creative Director, a marketing and packaging design expert, who will manage your account, source the perfect talent for your creative team, and make sure all of your deliverables are in your hands when you need them.
So, if you’re ready to give your food packaging design a boost, then we’re ready to help you get there!
Check out our food marketing service page and portfolio to see how Designity's design and marketing services were exactly the right answer for food brands just like yours. If you like what you see, then go ahead and book your demo call today so we can get you started with your two-week, no-obligation trial to give you a chance to test drive our packaging design services and see firsthand why Designity is the only design partner your food brand will ever need!
Are you ready for your products to shine on the shelves?
