When it comes to selling a product, dynamic and eye-catching packaging is the way to go! Packaging comes in many forms and its role is vast. It protects the product, sells the brand, and can be a beautifully crafted object. Packaging is the love note that tells the customer, “this is for you!”.
Packaging illustration is a subtle art and there are many considerations that go into making it look good. While the best packaging tends to follow the principle of “form follows function”, there are numerous subtleties and considerations involved in the perfect packaging. Each element should reach out and connect with the consumer, and illustration is the ideal tool to secure that engagement.
Culture highly influences illustration for packaging. In Japan --- where packaging takes inspiration from the nation’s culture, history, traditions, and philosophy, --- every detail is highly considered and placed in harmony. Japan combines tradition with new ideas to create packaging that is more than just a vessel for the product, it becomes part of the consumer experience.
Another industry leader in innovative packaging, Scandinavian packaging illustration is typically recognised for its simplicity, clean lines, and neutral colours. Pure and minimalistic is the trend, whilst respecting nature and the ecosystem. Sustainability --- a cultural value which is becoming prominent around the world --- is now playing a huge role as consumers are wanting to see brands doing the right thing. This means the materials sourced and printing methods are also a big consideration when illustrating the perfect packaging.
Turning our focus toward packaging trends and predictions for the near future, it is clear that the last two years have had a huge impact around the globe. Following the pandemic, many companies and creatives have turned to illustration to reach out and reconnect with the world, to encourage us to open ourselves back into life. The pure nature of illustration and its expressive form brings playfulness and joy into packaging, taking us off to magical places.
Scrolling through our image gallery (right) Florenza Palamà leads the way with fun, flirty, illustrations for packaging and branding alike. Her pastel shades and intricate line work set the scene for those who want a more Renaissance feel.
Illustrator Camipepe has turned to the healing powers of nature to inspire consumers. Through the use of bright colours and bold shapes, they are pushing us to embrace the fun side of life. These illustrations are guaranteed to make you smile and lift your spirits in seconds.
Through carefully selected memorabilia, Carol Nazatto builds up stunning collages and visual poetry that takes the viewer into unexpected worlds, with both a contemporary perspective and a link to the past. These stunning pieces will dress your product with an irresistible look.
For centuries artists have drawn on themes linked to nature for inspiration and self-expression. Through these hand-drawn and highly detailed black and white drawings, artist Mira Nameth demonstrates the powerful ways in which her illustrations create beautiful gift ideas and timeless packaging.
Artists are becoming braver and incresingly experimental when combining colours and we are seeing colours sat side by side never witnessed before. Mono Blanco is a great example of breaking the mould when it comes to bold colour combinations and unusual crops. Gustavo Magalhães not only pushes the boundaries of colour, but conjures up real-life scenarios and escape routes for those wanting to be transported to a different universe --- enabling the packaging to connect with the consumer on a personal level.
Unconventional typography is having its moment, and we have some talented typographic artists here at Artistique. Bobby Haiqalsyah is a notable typography artist with many successful packaging projects under his belt. Through Bobby's carefully crafted letters he re-establishes the connection for like-minded letter lovers to memories of that special someone or place. For a more hands-on approach, Anya Felch uses paper cut and collage illustration to create whimsical lettering and landscapes.
For Artistique’s full range of artists please visit https://www.artistique-int.com and to commission please contact Helen Biles [email protected]
At Artistique International, we manage leading contemporary artists specialising in intelligent advertising and editorial illustration. Based in New York, London and Marbella, we are a truly international illustration agency that's able to offer a boutique service around the globe.
