10 Unusual Packaging Designs That’ll Make you Look Twice

Aleksandra Owczarek
Aleksandra Owczarek | 6 min read

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While reading articles about how to tackle box & product design, I found one about the beginnings of packaging as a concept. And here’s where it led me.

Apparently, the first known packaging solution was found in the 11th century in Egypt, where travellers found food wrapped in paper, and sold in the flea market. It was groundbreaking. And gave birth to a thriving industry.

Nowadays, packaging ideas are implemented worldwide and constantly modified in order to meet strict customer expectations.

Some of these ideas, however, elevate the experience to a whole new level. Creative packaging ideas are more than welcome by the customers - the more problems solved the better.

I wrote a while ago about experience-driven packaging where several important points were made about building a bond with the customer via packaging.

The 10 examples presented here are random picks from the Internet, but - no matter how random they might seem - all prove that packaging design is in constant development.

Ready to jump into the most unprecedented packaging designs out there?

Unusual Packaging Designs - 10 Great Examples

#10 Powerful cigarettes packaging

unusual packaging
Source: Pinterest

Smoking kills. This slogan is known globally, mostly thanks to the pictures showing black lungs, rotten teeth and all kinds of diseases associated with cigarettes.

However, these are only graphics. Powerful images, but still images. This packaging design though is a different story. It’s shaped to remind a coffin - a very clear message and smart use of packaging.

#9 Bee in a bottle

unusual packaging
Source: hongkiat

Who would have thought that honey is such a fuel for creativity?

There are many great ideas showcasing honey jars (and one of them has already attracted our attention), but this lovely concept by Babees Honey is as refreshing as original it is.

#8 Milk Carton

unusual packaging
Source: hongkiat

The most unusual packaging doesn’t necessarily mean handy. It’s the exact case of this milk carton. It looks absolutely stunning, but we have some serious doubts about using it in real life.

#7 Note Headphones

original & unusual packaging
Source: Pinterest

Most of the headphones available in the market are packed in plain boxes. There isn’t anything particularly inventive about them (some use a window to present the product). However, this design that uses the headphones cable in the packaging design looks extremely cool (and guarantees to attract the attention).

#6 Juice packaging

unusual packaging
Source: bored panda

There are numerous ways to design food products packaging. Some companies tend to lean towards minimalism, whilst others prefer cheerful projects. The concept below blends both of these - the packaging creates a fantastic feeling of freshness.

#5 Peanuts & Shells

unusual packaging
Source: Pinterest

We have all been there - a bag of peanuts is one thing and the other is the leftovers after eating them. Say no more!

Find the ideal bakery packaging for your brand here

This simple idea is beyond brilliant - the bag with peanuts includes a pocket designed as a container for shells. As some people say, beauty lies in simplicity.

#4 Bloomers Lingerie

unusual packaging
Source: Pinterest

unusual packaging
Source: Pinterest

Lingerie is a unique product, usually given as an intimate gift. As a consequence, it’s understandable that many producers aim for an extended experience to make this gift even more memorable.

Bloomers lingerie packaging, designed by Elizabeth Cox, opens like a blossoming flower and showcases the piece of lingerie in a very original manner.

#3 Hudson Made Soaps

unusual packaging
Source: Pinterest

unusual packaging
Source: Pinterest

Premium soaps of Hudson Made are placed in a cardboard box, constructed in such a neat way that after untying the top, the packaging opens itself and presents the product.

#2 Hay packaging

unusual packaging
Source: Pinterest

unusual packaging
Source: Pinterest

Being eco can mean a lot of things. E-commerce brands choose recycled cardboard and this particular producer of eggs reach for… hay. This one-of-a-kind solution is made of dried grass hardened enough to protect eggs inside.

As you can see above, this solution is also used to pack meat products - is it the future of packaging?

P.S. We see it in a different light.

#1 Convenient packaging for fast food

unusual packaging
Source: Pinterest

This revolutionary idea is what every fast food place needs. Stripes hold particular products - like burgers, fries, boxes with rice etc. - and they all fold into a kind of bag that you can carry anywhere you want.

 

There you go - 10 unusual packaging concepts that prove the industry is bursting with ideas. Even though most of them aren’t available on the market, you can see for yourself that you don't have to limit yourself when it comes to the design.

Looking for ways to pack your clothing? There's a plethora of forms you can go for, from mailer bags through shirt boxes and doypacks. Looking for coffee packaging trends? Explore the latest looks and materials and craft a design to your imagination.

If you wish to create custom cardboard packaging - we've got what you need. Reach out to our packaging experts.

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