Minimalism is a concept that goes in and out of style throughout many industries. Its presence in markets often relates to either sustainability, a return to simplicity or both. Consumers are currently going through a phase that embraces both qualities. Here are ways minimalist and sustainable packaging is shaping recent trends.
Returning to Less Is More
The "less is more" ideal tends to follow periods of high consumption when producers and consumers aim for leaner solutions. The combination of environmental and economic concerns drives shoppers toward a reduction in packaging, production and consumption. Minimalism adds to the value of cutting waste, in which consumers want to make a difference. It can further cut costs on overall purchases, which is helpful in times of economic difficulties.
While minimalism appears to be a returning trend as shoppers look for ways to save money, there's a concurrent trend toward sophisticated digital packaging. But this duality makes sense because digital technology contributes to greater efficiency, which is the same goal of minimalist and sustainable ideals. As long as digital elements don't get in the way of simple messaging, the two ideals can co-exist in one package.
Machine learning can generate solutions for more efficient packaging, such as sticking with simple visuals that are easily recognized by patrons. By staying within the realm of lightweight packaging, such as tinplate, shipping costs can be minimized. The less material used for packaging, the easier it is to recycle it.
Leaner and Greener Values
Eco-friendly packaging is becoming increasingly popular because consumers are learning about its benefits that include cost-cutting. There is emotional power among consumers who want to participate in maintaining a clean environment. They see startling photos of overfilled landfills and want to contribute to waste reduction. These consumers are conscious of what happens to products after they are disposed.
Pictures of plastic and paper packaging waste in waterways is particularly offensive to environmentally-conscious consumers. People who go camping or regularly embrace nature are more sensitive to waste buildup in public places beyond landfills. They are more likely to place a higher value on metal packaging because certain metal containers can be reused in various ways.
Until communities around the world achieve clean environmental conditions, the concept of sustainability will likely persist more than a normal market trend. There is a sense of positive energy in communities associated with working toward eco-friendly solutions. It causes consumers to pay closer attention to what they purchase and plan for the future. In that sense, leaner-looking packages carry more credibility than packaging that looks bulky for no reason.
Cutting Through Clutter
One of the major advantages to minimalist packaging is that it can stand out in retail stores from competing products that have overused visual gimmicks. Consumers can grow tired of hype strategies, such as bold type with bright colors. When packaging gets too complex or promotion-oriented, packaging designers should rethink how well the package communicates with current consumer sentiments.
Sometimes plain white packaging with a few visuals is all that's necessary for a consumer to connect with a product. Many consumers associate white labels on canned foods with discounts. They've found many deals in the past on products that look like they avoid complex imagery by emphasizing the basics. Simple packaging with two or less colors can stand out on shelves where rival products compete with busy designs.
Gauging Market Patterns
The minimalist trend follows cycles that give consumers a break on visual overkill. Once the market becomes flooded with minimalist designs, a new cycle may shift back toward elaborate designs. Packaging designers must stay on top of consumer sentiment by conducting online research with individuals. Studying economic indicators further helps clarify which direction to move in terms of packaging solutions.
Even if sustainability remains a long-term ideal, there will still be periods when packaging designers must make adjustments to fit market activity. But no matter how consumers respond to packaging, metal such as tinplate will always be a viable choice, especially for perishable items. Metal is conducive to both minimalist and sustainable packaging due to its diverse shaping capabilities and air-tight protection of products.
In other words, metal often outshines packaging trends because of its solid utility and efficient qualities. The fact that it's easy to print on metal allows for either simple or complex packaging designs regardless of the latest trends. Metal is simply a timeless and convenient choice for packaging a wide range of grocery products.
