Are You Prepared for This Year’s Hot Design Themes?
Product labelling is a vital component of branding and marketing. But it is not something that stands still. What will be the trending designs for 2019?
As each year passes, there is more of a tendency for product labels and designs to change and update. Even the classic packaging and logos of well established brands are subjected to more tweaks and seasonal variations than ever before, as manufacturers strive to remain relevant in changing social and economic times.
One thing is certain, life in the world of label design is certainly not dull. This year, plenty of brands will be turning to custom labels to give their products a 2019 makeover that will help them stand out from the crowd. But what will be the hot design trends that influence their thinking?
Keep it simple
The “back to basics” theme is one that comes around with almost clockwork regularity, and it is set to be a key feature of the year ahead. Adopting a less is more approach can really make a product stand out, using clear bold letters on a single coloured background. Greater simplicity also means fewer complications and reduced production costs, so when pulled off properly, this can really be a winner.
A memorable pattern
With so many new entrants joining the market across every sector you can think of, it is more important than ever that labels evoke a strong brand identity. This is where an image can be extremely powerful, so expect this year’s designs to have a focus on repeating patterns and visual motifs that catch the eye and help a particular brand to get lodged in the subconscious.
Pictures that tell a story
For a similar reason, artwork in the traditional sense of the word is likely to enjoy a renaissance. Look out for lovingly crafted images that tell consumers something about a brand’s story. This might hark back to its earliest days, with pictures of the company founders in a bygone era, but it could just as easily foreshadow the brand’s role in a brave new future.
Imaginative use of colours
There has been plenty of research on the psychological effects of colour in branding, and manufacturers have been working this into their designs for some time. However, colours can also be used as a smart way to differentiate various products under one easily identifiable brand umbrella. This is a tactic that has been used in certain foods, for example with full fat, skimmed or semi skimmed milk to great effect, and is a strategy that is likely to be seen across more product lines in the months ahead.
Eco packaging
Going green with packaging is not just for eco brands, and every manufacturer needs to take sustainability and its environmental impact seriously. This is becoming a bigger factor in consumer purchasing decisions with every passing year, so there is every reason for brands across all sectors to incorporate eco packaging into their design considerations. As well as being the right thing to do from an ethical perspective, it reduces costs and enhances brand image, so there is really no downside.
