Five Tips for Minimalist Packaging Design

Five Tips for Minimalist Packaging Design

A few decades ago, large brands were competing for shopper’s attention with big, bold and bright packaging. It reached a point when the volume of information was overwhelming and the items that stood out were those in minimalist packaging.

Against a riot of colour and graphics, minimalist design can look sophisticated in its simplicity.

Minimalist design may sound like an easy style to achieve, but it takes considerable skill to strip a concept back. Get it right and your products look classic, elegant and pure. Miss the mark and your brand appears boring, bland and cheap. Our five tips will help you on the right track.

Consider the Packaging Materials

Start your packaging design with an open mind; not every product needs a box. Consider what type of packaging is ideal for your product. Do you need a full container or would a simple paper wrap or label be sufficient?

In some cases, plastic is currently the best available option, however, whenever possible opt for sustainable packaging materials. Consumers are actively rejecting brands that use packaging to excess. They are increasingly seeking out sustainable alternatives and in many cases are prepared to pay a little more for green credentials.

Understand your Target Buyer

In order to hit the nail on the head, you have to understand and clearly focus on what your prime customer is looking for. With minimal design, you have to communicate with eloquence and you need to ensure that the message resonates.

Get Inspiration from the Masters of Minimalist Packaging Design

The Scandinavians are masters in minimalist design and Japan offers some great examples too. Take a look at how singular features such as typography or a signature colour are used to create brand consistency across a product range. Within the UK, the best minimalist design is often produced by small enterprises specialising in bespoke goods.

Identify Key Features

Minimalist design draws on the most elementary features, so what are the crucial components of your brand or product? What stands your brand apart? Is it the ingredients or where they have been sourced? Does everything hinge on a core value or will the key benefits sell?

Use Colour, Typography and Texture to Communicate

Colour association is all about the instant feeling we get when we see a specific shade. This method of communication is instinctive, rather than considered, but it forms a judgement using visual information. With a limited palette, it is important to get the tone right. The same principles apply to typography, so seek consumer feedback on a few options before finalising the design.

One effective way to differentiate minimalist packaging is with the use of texture. Embossed details and spot varnishes are two examples enhancing the tactile appeal of cardboard packaging.

Cardboard Packaging Specialists

If you have a great concept in mind, get in touch with the experienced team at Aylesbury Box Company on 01296 436888. With expertise in cardboard engineering and print, our advice can help make your minimalist design a reality.