Poor packaging leads to lost sales and revenue. And, it’s no mystery why. As awesome as your product might be, it’s the packaging that does the selling. So, don’t let poor packaging undermine your sales.

The industry has experienced a lot of buzz, and even confusion, when it comes to packaging and sustainability in recent years. Schools of thought differ on the best materials to use, what happens at package end-of-life and even rigid packaging versus flexible packaging.

Packaging has always been a means of communicating a brand’s value proposition — who your product is for and why it’s better and different than anything else on the market today. But in today’s increasingly competitive consumer product landscape, the critical need to stand out is inspiring marketers to push the boundaries of design in new and unexpected ways. Based on what we’re seeing from design projects on our global platform, here are five new trends that will dominate packaging design in 2020 and beyond.

Brand design agency Vault49 reveals the identity and visual language for slime brand Moon Cotton, including full unboxing experience for the direct to consumer brand. 

Unilever partnered with design agency PB Creative on a new range identity and pack designs for men's grooming brand AXE (LYNX in the U.K.). Tapping into the growing trend of products inspired by nature, WILD is an exciting on-trend range comprising new bodyspray and bodywash products.

Investment in innovation by surface effects specialists continues to bring highly innovative, eye-catching features, which incorporate advanced optical technology, to the world of luxury and brand packaging. 

Neenah Packaging introduction of new hemp fiber papers, a new color, and new finishes into its recently expanded line of Neenah Folding Board papers.

Trends around the world are moving fast and changing how we live and interact with the world. Brands will need to understand how these trends will impact their ability to do business and find solutions to adjust.