Best Packaging Designs for 2025

Crafting top-notch packaging designs starts with a deep dive into the brand and product specifics. Designers first understand the product, the target audience, and the brand's story. Then, they use design software and 3D modeling programs to create initial concepts. These tools enable designers to develop and refine visual elements, including color schemes, typography, and imagery, for a cohesive and brand-aligned appearance. Practical aspects like user convenience, shelf presence, and environmental impact are also meticulously considered. 

For instance, take the World's Finest Chocolate package design. This work exemplifies how a deep understanding of the brand's premium quality is translated into packaging. The design uses luxurious color palettes, elegant typography, and sophisticated imagery that appeal to the brand's upscale market. It skillfully balances aesthetic appeal with practical considerations like readability and brand recognition. It shows how effective design can elevate a product, making it not just a package but a part of the brand's story and an experience for the consumer. 

Product appeal and usability are the most crucial aspects of creating packaging designs. A successful design is not just visually appealing; it must also be functional, reflecting the product's nature and the brand's identity. It should stand out on the shelf, be memorable to consumers, and maintain consistency across various product lines. Plus, packaging designs should consider practical aspects such as protection and storage. 

For example, the Phelps Brand Ninja Goggles packaging design excellently embodies these principles. The packaging is immediately eye-catching, featuring bold colors and dynamic graphics that resonate with the energy and precision of competitive swimming. Beyond aesthetics, the packaging is also practical – it comes with clear information and eco-friendly material. It conveys the brand's high-performance value and appeals directly to its target audience of serious athletes. 

The cost of quality packaging design varies, with rates largely dependent on: 

• The project's complexity 
• The designer's experience 
• The location 

If you plan to work with a reputable packaging design agency, you can expect to pay anywhere between $10,000 to $50,000. Note that this does not include the manufacturing costs.  

Most packaging designers also charge on a per-hour basis, with $100-$175 per hour as the standard rate for US-based firms. Design agencies outside the US usually charge between $35-$75 per hour. 

Packaging designers mostly use software like Adobe Illustrator for its advanced vector graphic capabilities, crucial for detailed and scalable packaging designs. Boxshot is another essential tool, particularly for creating realistic 3D packaging mockups. CorelDRAW is favored for its comprehensive design features, offering versatility across various packaging needs. Additionally, user-friendly platforms like Canva are popular for simpler, template-based designs, while Figma is increasingly used for its collaborative, web-based interface.  

These tools cover diverse aspects of packaging design, from intricate illustrations to practical mockups: 

Yes, professional packaging designers are now beginning to incorporate Artificial Intelligence (AI) into their workflow. AI technologies offer innovative solutions like pattern and color scheme generation, customer preference analysis, and optimization of design elements.  

However, while AI offers quick assistance and insights, professional designers' creative intuition and expertise remain irreplaceable. They often use AI as a complementary tool with design software to achieve the best results. 

Professional designers follow these fundamental principles and techniques to create the perfect packaging design: 

• Clarity and Purpose: Ensure every design element conveys the intended message using legible typography and appropriate imagery. These packaging designs are great examples:
  • The Wine Bag's Packaging
  • Moving Fruity's Packaging
  • Qallo's Packaging 
• Hierarchy and Focus: Implement varying font sizes and colors to guide the viewer's attention to the most critical information. These examples use hierarchy effectively: 
  • Yotti's Turkish Delight's Packaging
  • Rigel's Packaging
  • Brandless' Packaging
• Brand Consistency: Use uniform colors, fonts, and visual elements to reinforce brand identity and create a cohesive look. See these excellent examples of on-brand packaging designs: 
  • Young Willow's Packaging
  • Summerhill Market's Packaging
  • 1964 Coffee's Packaging 
• Balance and Alignment: Achieve visual harmony by evenly distributing text, images, and white space. Notice the balance and alignment in these examples:
  • Brandless' Packaging
  • Copper Spirit Distillery's Packaging
  • Kleer Skincare's Packaging 
• Contrast and Color: Create visual interest and use color thoughtfully to set mood and emphasize key elements. Observe how these designs leverage this design element:
  • Wasa Crispbread's Packaging
  • Mayozhni Ice Cream's Packaging
  • Moving Fruity's Packaging 
• Distinct Detailing: Focus on fine details like margins, spacing, and image quality for a polished, professional finish. These samples exemplify attention to detail:
  • World's Finest Chocolate Packaging
  • Rigel's Packaging
  • Despierta's Packaging 

You can get free professional feedback on your packaging designs and potentially have them showcased on DesignRush by sending them to bestdesignawards@designrush.com. This is an excellent opportunity to gain expert insights without any cost! 

If you're seeking official recognition from our Best Design Jury and a chance to win the Best Design Award, you can submit your designs here at $75 per submission. With this service, you can get detailed critiques from leading professionals and establish yourself in the packaging design industry.