New Packaging Trends for 2022

A new year is in full swing and it has brought new trends into the design space. While the packaging trends of the last two years focused on the types of packaging, 2022 is starting with a shift back towards the visual aspect of packaging.

In the previous two years, more consumers became concerned with easy to use and sustainable packaging, this pushed designers and brands to focus on materials in packaging rather than visuals. In addition, with the rise of online food and beverage purchases in 2020, brands focused on making food and beverage packages that were easy to ship.

While the need and desire for the packaging itself will always be a focus, consumers are showing an interest in the visual aspects of marketing again. That means in 2022 designers get to return to what they love - the fun of packaging design!

Vintage Packaging

After the complex and difficult times of the last two years, vintage packaging is making a name for itself in 2022. Get ready for all the vintage vibes as designers draw from simpler times and help consumers remember “the good ol’ days” through manuscript typography and classic designs.

Traditionally, vintage designs are used to establish trust in a brand. Creating trust with consumers was a key focus in branding in 2021 and vintage packaging continues to reflect this in the new year. The trust instilled by a vintage logo is associated with a company that has been around for a long time, and therefore trustworthy. Even if a brand has not been around as long as the design implies, the sense of longevity can appeal to customers.

In addition, there is a sense of nostalgia naturally associated with vintage designs. This sense of nostalgia can be a way to appeal to consumers’ need for comfort, familiarity, and happier times. Since food often brings about feelings of nostalgia, combining vintage designs with food and beverage brands is the perfect combination. Just like the design for Dr. Feelgood pops - a perfect nod to simpler times and the taste of childhood!

Retro Vibes

As some designers focus on creating simple vintage designs, other designers are throwing it back to the 1960s.

While traditionally vintage designs show trust and longevity the groovy vibes of the 60s are all about fun! Calling on the bright colors and bold designs associated with a time of love and freedom, these lighthearted and fun loving designs are exactly what we need in 2022.

Super Shrooms is the perfect example. They took a hot new wellness drink of Lion’s mane and other healthy mushrooms and drew on the funky feels of the ‘60s. This combination of bright colors, groovy mushrooms, and the classic smiley face, will appeal to not only today’s younger generation but also the older generation.

Bright Colors and Simple Shapes

Beyond the specific throwbacks to the 60s, the overall use of bright colors and simple shapes are making bold moves this year in food and beverage packaging.

Bright colors are one of the easiest ways for brands to stand out to potential customers, whether on the shelf or online. This quick trick for visibility also makes a statement without any words. Showing customers that they are a fun brand!

In addition to bold colors, shapes are a simple way to create an engaging design and grab people’s attention. The use of bold colors and shapes is especially effective in making smaller packages standout. Just like Tony's Chocolonely!

Brands are taking this to the next level adding patterns to the actual food as well. For example, Beau Cacao transferred the geometric design from the package to the chocolate bar. Just another way to add some fun back into the world of snacking.

Font Focused

Fonts have always been a main focus in creating brand identity. Traditionally, the font has been the logo and used in combination with an image or picture. However, 2022 is already showing more brands stepping away from complex images and trusting in just their name.

Font focused designs are a great way for brands to establish trust quickly. Relying solely on their brand name shows that they stand behind their name - they stand behind their product.

Made Coffee demonstrates this with their font focused cans. Their straightforward design not only creates trust in the brand, but it also appeals to the continued focus on simplicity.

While it may not be the trend at the forefront, simplicity is definitely an underlying theme of all the emerging 2022 trends. Many brands are capitalizing on this concept by using a combination of font focused designs with bold colors for an elevated, yet still simply, design. Such as Club Kombucha.

Minimalist

When it comes to simplicity - the minimalist design trend is at the forefront. This design trend really took off in 2021 as a way to address the trust and transparency consumers wanted from brands.

While many brands in the wellness industry took a minimalist approach to branding through soft and pastel colors. The minimalist approach in food and beverage packaging in 2022 is showing up in clear black and white designs.

In 2022 minimalism doesn’t mean boring. Brands still want to stand out from the competition and appeal to that sense of fun a lot of people are craving. Therefore, packaging designs are combining those simple elements of shapes and even a pop of color to create elevated minimalist designs.

The London based yogurt company Nutmeg & Hive has perfected this feel of elevated minimalism. Building on a simple black and white design, they add a bit of bold color with a simple geometric design. The perfect blend to showcase their core value of being a 100% natural product with no added sugar.

Packaging Design Goals for 2022

2022 is the year that brands and consumers are seeking more fun and a move away from the stress of the previous two years. So whether throwing things back to the ‘60s or making a nod to simpler times with a vintage design the goals of 2022 can be met with any of the emerging trends mentioned above.

While fun is the new focus, consumers are not moving away from the need or desire to trust brands they buy from. People are also still looking for brands that show they are aware of their customers’ needs. Therefore, brands will benefit from maintaining transparency in their packaging.

By following simple design elements that can be elevated by bright colors or nods to the past, packaging can easily meet these needs of their customers and still have fun along the way.