By: Viraj Shah
Your product’s packaging design has a large impact on a product’s success. Read this article to learn more about creative ways to make your packaging design stand out among the competition.
Match Your Target Demographic
This falls under the category of, “Don’t sell shampoo to someone who’s bald.” People in different age groups, cultural groups, walks of life, and any other category all have different preferences. You have to do the right kind of research to discover the preferences of your target demographic. As an example, if you want to sell something to people from 45-65 years of age, and your research shows that people that age prefer the color blue to the color red, then your packaging should certainly be blue.
State it Simply
Get your message across succinctly. The average attention span in the 21st century is about eight seconds. If it takes your prospects more than eight seconds to decipher your product’s packaging, then they won’t buy it no matter how good it is. The average person couldn’t care less about “proof of quality.” They want what they want, and they want it within eight seconds. Be sure that your packaging attracts them and doesn’t give too much information.
Incorporate a 3-D Element in Your Packaging
Your brand message should shine through on your packaging. One way to do that is to make it pop through 3-D graphics. Graphics of this sort are remarkably eye-catching.
If Your Product is Food, Then Label it Fully
There actually is one group of people who do care about thorough information: those with food restrictions. So, it’s a good idea to ensure that your food packaging includes all relevant information regarding your product’s effect on those conditions. This includes things like ingredients, such as wheat or nuts for people with allergies or Celiac Disease, and minerals, such as potassium for people on dialysis. Research all conditions that could be affected by your product, and be sure to include the relevant information on the label.
Pay Attention to Trends
What worked last week, month, or year won’t necessarily work now. Study the changing preferences of your target demographic. When those preferences change, then it’s time to alter your packaging to match. A good example of this is in the automobile industry. Back in the day, it was all about horsepower, torque, and attitude. Today, it might still be partially about those things, but the chief focus now is on the economy in a world where gas is $5 a gallon, technology, and “doing more with less.”
Test Your Ideas
Don’t fall completely in love with your packaging design. Remember, the idea is to market to people based on what they like and not on what you like. For example, if your product appeals to the lowest common denominator in society, then you should market to that demographic. Do trial runs. Then, analyze your product’s performance within your target demographic. Based on what you find, keep things the same, change the marketing to something else, or choose a different target demographic. Your analysis will always lead to one of those three outcomes.
Published by: Holy Minoza
