Top 5 Promotional Product Designs That Will Work

Have you ever walked down an aisle in a departmental store and picked up something that you didn’t need but it looked pretty enough to own? Or have you judged a product by its cover and then made a decision based on that? Well, be rest assured that you’re not the only one. Whether it’s the food boxes from your favorite deli, Apple’s product packaging, or a beauty product; the things we put products in, play an essential role when it comes to marketing. It is a way of identifying and differentiating a product from the others. Packaging Design refers to the process of designing an exterior for a particular product for containing, identifying, and delivering it. A good packaging design tells a story, where material, form, colors, fonts, as well as graphics, play the central part. It’s a practical tool that gives the buyer a real experience, by literally engaging them through sound, touch, and sight. These are the minute details that give us an idea of what the product is about, how should it be used, who it is for, and above all, whether we should purchase it or not. Just like writing a good story is a long process, so is creating a packaging design. Here are some iconic packaging design tips you could follow.

Get Similar Design

3 Questions To Ask Before You Start Designing Your Packaging

Every good packaging design answers 3 crucial questions – firstly, what is the product? Secondly, How are people buying this product? And thirdly, who are these people that are buying the product? These questions bring clarity to the designer, which in turn will make the product more relevant to your target audience.

Let’s understand these questions in depth. To begin with – What is the product? Though this is an obvious one, it will help you in determining if there are any logistical criteria that you need to follow for your packaging design. For instance, a product with odd dimensions may require custom-made packaging, whereas a delicate product will demand more secure packaging.

Is your product being purchased online? In a shopping mart? A departmental store? These questions are essential to understanding how you want to package your product. You might consider packaging your product differently if it is going to be sold in a shopping mart than if it’s going to be sold online. For example, a product that is sold online should not have a lot of extra space since the product might get damaged while shipping. In contrast, those in a shopping mart would require you to create an eye-catching packaging design that makes the product stand out from the rest.

The most important of creating a packaging design is to know your audience. Who are the people buying your product will help you come up with an ideal design that is targeted toward your target audience. For instance, products for the elderly might require the usage of larger text while products for kids may require you to use bright colors that are catchy for them. You may also have a look at Why should you outsource your packaging designs?

Get Similar Design

5 Components of Packaging Design

Good packaging design is a little more complex than just smacking a sticker on a cardboard box. It consists of components that are put together to create an aesthetically pleasing design that stands out from the rest.

These components are specific to the brand, which help the consumer recognize a brand quickly and evoke nostalgic memories attached to the brand. To nail these components are crucial as the packaging design reflects on the brand and its mission. Here are 5 essential components that one should consider when creating packaging design:

Style

Keep your design simple and clear. A good design doesn’t always require for it to be loud, clean design can speak volumes as well. Basing the elements of packaging design in grid-like patterns make it easier for consumers to look at. Having a clean, minimalistic design can allow you to use the space to emphasize further specific elements that need to be addressed by the viewers.

Content

Every packaging design’s content should highlight the fundamental reason as to why a consumer should choose to purchase the product. Minimal content that doesn’t take away from the overall design is an ideal way to present it. Be bold and step out of the industry’s design norms while keeping true to the brand’s vision.

Logo Placement

Don’t forget to add the logo. A logo is an integral part of the packaging design process as it helps identify the product quickly and forms a trustworthy relationship with their consumers. The logo placement is crucial since you wouldn’t want your logo to overpower your product or want your brand to be sidelined. So finding that sweet spot is a must and this is one of the main packaging design tips!

Colors

Colors are universal languages. Specific colors tend to evoke specific emotions. For instance, the color red is associated with power, danger, and energy, whereas the color blue indicated trust, loyalty, etc.

Different colors can be used to differentiate between various products in the same line (For example, different flavors) and draw the audience’s attention towards a particular point. Having a selective and interactive color palette based on desired emotions a consumer should feel will go a long way.

Font

Like content, fonts on the packaging design should also reflect the product line and or the brand. They should be easy-to-read by using contrasting fonts to differentiate. Using block and or geometric lettering along with varying weights (regular, light, bold, etc.) to highlight relevant content also helps guide the consumer’s eye along with the texts and easily interpret information.

Tip: Avoid using script lettering as well as more than two different types of fonts. This is another main product packaging design tips.

Having an effective packaging design will help increase sales and attract more customers while building a healthy, lasting relationship. Having an out-of-the-box packaging design will build a strong base for your products and improve brand awareness.

But wait, that’s not all. Many companies have good packaging design but fail to achieve the desired results. Why? Because more often than not, they forget that there is a strong connection between packaging design and branding. Packaging design and branding go hand in hand, or it would end up confusing the consumers and or lose its credibility. Apple, Nike, Louis Vuitton, and OnePlus are some of the many companies that perfected the formula.

As you start with your packaging design, the kind of brand you want to present to your consumers should also be considered. But worry not, we have compiled a few tips that will help you achieve this synergy:

Get Similar Design

5 Packaging Design Tips

Authenticity

With hundreds of products hitting the markets every year, all competing for consumer attention, having character, and originality is a must. Being different, authentic is the only way to set your brand apart from the competition. Find unexpected inspirations by looking at different product categories and don’t shy away from standing out.

Honesty

By portraying a product ten times better than it is, it can be misleading and will disappoint your consumers. Most brands and designers strive to showcase their products in an ideal way, which, when it doesn’t live up to the standards, causes consumers to lose their trust in the brand, which ultimately leads to a bad brand image and decreased sales.

Clarity and Simplicity

There are tons of different products from various industries. Some of these products allow some mystery around it (for example, perfumes), for others, that mystery just doesn’t work. Consumers fail to identify and understand the product through packaging design, often leading to low performance in stores.

So, remember to be simple and clear about the product and the branding.

Practicality

Practicality is one of the most overlooked aspects of packaging design since consumers follow the rule of ‘tried and tested.’ But brands often forget that the more practical the product and the packaging design, the more sales it gets. For instance, turning the bottle on its head helped Heinz sell more ketchup when the ketchup industry was in a growth crisis.

Adjustability

Planning ahead can come in handy. Creating a packaging design that offers an opportunity to introduce a new product extension or a sub-brand will save you from re-creating or rethinking a segue for the new extension.

The packaging design industry is a vast and demanding design industry that is always on the lookout for designers who can be original and improve sales performance. And that is because the packaging is the first thing that a consumer sees. It is also the last opportunity for brands to convince consumers to purchase their products.

So, what are you waiting for, grab your designing tools, and get packaging!

Looking for some creative inspiration? Check out All Time Design’s work for ideas and inspiration.