Multi-Sensory Package Design Differentiates Brands

Now that online purchases have doubled, brands need to stand out in stores, online and at shoppers’ doorsteps. Multisensory packaging is one way brands can make a lasting impression.

Packaging is a powerful brand statement; sound, sight, movement, texture and scent aren’t simply design principles. These are five essential branding elements that can influence consumer perceptions of packaging during the shopping experience and throughout the product lifespan.

Sound: Audio or Sonic Branding Makes Products More Memorable

https://youtu.be/x3lFFy-apfI

For decades, jingles have given consumers ear worms, and the rising popularity of shoppable social media content is making it possible to feature the actual sound of packaging associated with memorable experiences.

PepsiCo is a sensory branding pioneer, and their latest campaign is inspired by the distinctive sound of popping open a can  and listening to the fizz of the cola inside.

Sight: Color and Authenticity Can Build Trusting Consumer Relationships

Color, messaging, graphics and imagery on packages can all give rise to different consumer interpretations; and can ultimately build trusting consumer relationships. People rely on authentic messaging and labels to make choices, and trust brands to provide simple and accurate explanations of ingredients, health claims and nutritional information.

Marrzetti’s consumer-inspired package design makes it easy for shoppers to visualize how they will use their dip. Bold vibrant colors differentiate flavors at a glance online and on store shelves, and consumers see exactly what they are buying with a transparent, re-sealable container. View our case study on this packaging here.

Movement: Size, Shape and Sustainability Matter More Now

As a design principle, movement guides people’s eyes to see what’s important about the product. And, the size, shape and format of a package also literally affects the ability to move and deliver packages to the doorsteps of online shoppers. More consumers today care about eco-friendly packaging, and growing numbers of people want to reduce waste and minimize shopping trips.

Touch: Inclusive Branding Focuses on the Texture and Function of Packages

Involving a diverse group of consumers in the design process can identify how packages function and feel in consumers’ hands during the shopping experience and the life cycle of the product. This is important because some features can impact the accessibility of a product. For instance, some consumers may want a package with safety features to protect children and pets, while another group of customers needs the same package to be easy to open or close.

Scent: Olfactory Branding Intertwines Memories and Color Associations

Aromas create immediate and memorable connections between brands and consumers, and studies have found a signature scent can be a powerful element of a brand identity. People also associate scents with colors according to Harvard University biologists, and past sensory experiences can  enable people to imagine smells based on the color of packaging.

Insights Empower Brands to Engage Consumers During the Product Life Span

Creating a multi-sensory experience with packaging can create a strong emotional connection between people and brands with the right consumer insights. Qualitative, quantitative and quick-turn consumer research and analysis gives business leaders and marketers actionable insights. Gaining a complete understanding of people’s perceptions, interaction, and experiences with product packaging can support growth strategies across the full spectrum of the product life span.

Want to read more?
● 5 Critical Tips to Consider When Redesigning Your Packaging
● How Does Color Affect Consumer Behavior?
● Layering Multiple Research Approaches to Connect with Consumers
● How to Create Connections with People in a Digital World
● How to Socialize Research Within Your Organization

Follow Insights in Marketing, LLC on LinkedIn, and join our mailing list to receive our consumer insights blog and quarterly newsletter. You’ll learn about evolving consumer values, lifestyle changes, demographic shifts and new buying behavior that can drive growth and innovation.

About Insights in Marketing

Understanding people is our passion, and our consumer insights blog is all about inspiring brands to innovate and grow. Twice a month we share insights about evolving consumer values, lifestyle changes, demographic shifts and new shopping behavior.

Since 1989 we have been coaching business leaders, marketers and insights professionals to focus on providing a positive customer experience before, during, and after a purchase. Ultimately, listening to the voice of consumers can drive up repeat business, enhance customer loyalty and improve business growth.

Insights In Marketing is a marketing research firm that delivers in-depth and actionable insights so you can have every confidence your decisions are inspired by the consumer voice. Our Team has decades of client and supplier side consumer research experience, and our marketing expertise spans across various industries and consumer segments.