Redesign concepts for packaging to spark creativity

Redesign concepts for packaging to spark creativity

Sustainable Packaging Trends Shine in 2025

In the ever-evolving world of packaging design, eco-friendliness and innovation are at the forefront. Here are some notable trends that have emerged in 2025:

Reducing Plastic Usage

Brands are taking significant strides to reduce plastic waste, with innovative solutions like the AeroFlexx Pak by ĕleeo brands and AeroFlexx. This packaging design, popular in baby care products, significantly reduces plastic use compared to traditional bottles and eliminates additional packing materials [1].

Adopting Compostable/Molded Pulp Materials

Major brands such as Motorola, Lanhe Design, Guizhou Weimingtang, and Changsha University have embraced molded pulp packaging, replacing plastic with fully compostable, lightweight materials [2]. Examples range from Motorola's molded pulp box transforming into a reusable frisbee and speaker, to minimalistic coffee bags and brightly colored noodle packs.

Enabling Recyclability and Child Safety

Certified child-resistant, curbside-recyclable paperboard packaging for laundry pods from Graphic Packaging International and Radienz Living represents a shift towards sustainable, recyclable alternatives. This innovative packaging uses 50% recycled fiber, reduces plastic waste by 80%, meets child safety standards, and supports e-commerce needs [3].

Advancing Circular Metal Packaging Technology

Partnerships like Novelis and DRT are working to develop advanced recycled aluminium beverage packaging, improving recyclability, reducing carbon emissions, and strengthening the circular economy for metal beverage packaging [5].

Innovative Designs Across Industries

Meanwhile, in the realm of product design, various brands are making a mark with unique packaging concepts. For instance, Hardy, a third-generation family business specializing in smoked salmon, has collaborated with Portugal-based studio This is Pacifica to design stationery, packaging, and a website that communicate the premium quality of its product [6].

Notable Packaging Designs

• Allsorts Black and White packaging by Bond Creative Agency uses the traditional sweets' shapes and colours for a more modern design [7].
• Stefano Sauces, ready-to-eat products from chef Stefano Faita and his partner Michele Forgione, feature an original branding approach with a jovial, energetic caricature of Faita and unique typographic treatments for each sauce [8].
• Nike Air sneakers have a reimagined packaging design by Scholz & Friends, featuring air-tight plastic bags to give the illusion of floating trainers [9].
• Helvetimart packaging design by Anagrama takes inspiration from the regional flags of Switzerland’s 26 sovereign states [10].
• Leafs by Snoop, a cannabis brand by Snoop Dogg, features a distinctive leaf-based logo, luxurious weed boxes, and a range of edibles including chocolate bars and cannabis sweets called 'Dogg Treats' [11].
• Fierce & Noble, a craft brewery in Bristol, has a brand identity and packaging designed by Bristol studio Halo, with a name representing the brewery team’s fierce independence and respect for the heritage of the craft [12].

Galleries and Blogs Showcasing Packaging Designs

For those interested in exploring more packaging designs, resources such as Packaging of the World, an extensive gallery showcasing the most interesting and creative packaging designs from around the world, and BP&O, a blog run by Richard Baird, featuring recently developed designs, background, and opinions on each, are invaluable [13][14].

Innovation for Accessibility

Graphic design student Alexandra Burling created a packaging design for the visually impaired, focusing on groceries, with the aim of provoking discussion and paving the way for innovative thinking about how packaging design can appeal to more senses than sight [15].

Special Edition Packaging

Benefit Cosmetics' 2024 Benemart Holiday pop-up shop features packaging designed to mimic pantry items, such as tins of soup, bars of chocolate, and canned fish [16]. Who Gives a Crap, an Australian company that produces environmentally friendly tissues, paper towels, and toilet paper, has a special edition range designed by Garbett with illustrations and packaging that can be recycled to make a stage for children [17].

Customisable Packaging

Colors, musician Beck's latest album, features a customisable record sleeve created by designers Jimmy Turrell and Steve Stacey, formed from layers of different die-cut coloured transparencies [18]. Spine Vodka packaging designed by Johannes Schulz features a unique 3D design with an integrated spine to communicate a product with a 'backbone' [19].

Packaging Design for Spices

TIQLD spice blend range packaging by Alphabet uses humorous illustrations to convey a playful, confident brand identity [20]. Valencia studio Meteorito designed cherry tomato packaging for Nijasol that appears as a friendly tomato-like monster with a mouth serving as a window to see the product inside [21].

Online Portfolio Community

Behance is an online portfolio community featuring all manner of packaging design projects, created by artists of all skill levels [22].

Free Water and Charity

FreeWater is a US-based startup water brand that offers its paper cartons and aluminium bottles of spring water for free, donating ten cents from every product sold to charities [23].

Poilu Paintbrushes Packaging

Poilu paintbrushes packaging by Simon Laliberte features a cardboard piece that assembles two paintbrushes together and natural hairs dyed to give the illusion of moustache and beard combos [24].

The Dieline

Last but not least, The Dieline is a website that aims to define and promote the world's best packaging design [25]. This platform offers a wealth of information and inspiration for those interested in the fascinating world of packaging design.

1. Designers are embracing a sustainable approach to packaging design, with innovative solutions like the AeroFlexx Pak by ĕleeo brands and AeroFlexx becoming popular.
2. Major brands like Motorola, Lanhe Design, Guizhou Weimingtang, and Changsha University are adopting molded pulp packaging, replacing plastic with compostable and lightweight materials.
3. Graphic Packaging International and Radienz Living have developed certified child-resistant, curbside-recyclable paperboard packaging for laundry pods, shifting towards sustainable, recyclable alternatives.
4. Partnerships between Novelis and DRT are working to improve recyclability and reduce carbon emissions in aluminum beverage packaging.
5. Hardy, a smoked salmon brand, has collaborated with Portugal-based studio This is Pacifica to design packaging that communicates the premium quality of its product.
6. Allsorts Black and White packaging by Bond Creative Agency uses color and shapes to create a modern design inspired by traditional sweets.
7. Stefano Sauces, ready-to-eat products from chef Stefano Faita, feature an original branding approach with typographic treatments for each sauce.
8. Nike Air sneakers have a reimagined packaging design by Scholz & Friends, featuring air-tight plastic bags to give the illusion of floating trainers.
9. Helvetimart packaging design by Anagrama takes inspiration from the regional flags of Switzerland's 26 sovereign states.
10. Leafs by Snoop, a cannabis brand by Snoop Dogg, features a distinctive leaf-based logo, luxurious weed boxes, and a range of edibles with playful names.
11. Fierce & Noble, a craft brewery in Bristol, has a brand identity and packaging designed to represent the brewery team’s fierce independence and respect for the heritage of the craft.
12. Behance is an online community featuring all manner of packaging design projects created by artists of all skill levels, offering inspiration for those interested in the world of packaging design.

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