fpm brief

The FPM Brief, a new series of articles on consumer CPG research and behavior, highlights how research insights fuel creative intelligence in packaging design, branding, and marketing. By analyzing consumer interactions and purchasing drivers, we reveal strategies that enable brands to connect authentically with their audience, empowering them to stand out in today’s competitive market.

Read one of our latest articles

Designing Tomorrow: Navigating the Frontiers of Intelligent Design in 2026

Packaging that Pops, Strategy that Sells.

Seeking a CPG design partner that combines strategic insight with breakthrough creativity? Look no further. We craft packaging rooted in consumer behavior, market trends, and brand positioning—designed not just to stand out on shelves, but to resonate deeply with your consumer.

5 packaging trends your brand can’t afford to ignore

Sustainable Designs
Businesses that invest in greener packaging now gain a competitive edge with upcoming regulations and build lasting brand trust with consumers.
Tech-Enhanced Experiences
QR codes and NFC tags on packaging give consumers instant access to product info, how-to guides, and recipes right from their smartphones. It’s smart, simple, and builds stronger brand connections.
Bold First Impressions
Bold packaging designs grab attention and make products stand out on crowded shelves, driving instant recognition and stronger sales. It’s all about making a visual impact.
Packaging That Works Smarter
Consumers want easy-open features, resealable packages, and on-the-go convenience. Smart design isn’t just a bonus anymore, it’s an expectation.
Prioritizing Safety & Trust
Health and safety-focused packaging, like tamper-evident seals and touch-free pull tabs, is more important than ever. It builds trust and shows consumers you prioritize their well-being.

sóldate

SólDate, the first date-sweetened almond milk on the market, seen in the photos above and below, was named and designed by FPM in collaboration with The Great Organic. This mediterranean lifestyle-inspired product features fresh, custom illustrations, a bold but natural palette, and friendly, colloquial messaging to attract a health-conscious demographic who is intrigued by new, exciting beverages.

until next time,

Other research you might be interested in

No More Beige: The Bold Color Movement

Gone are the days of soft tones and safe neutrals. Consumers are hungry for bold, joyful packaging that feels energetic, expressive, and full of life—especially on crowded shelves or social feeds.

What Makes Gen Z Click, Share, and Buy?

Gen Z is redefining the rules of consumer packaging, and it’s more than just eye candy. From the thrill of unboxing to the nostalgic pull of Y2K aesthetics, today’s young consumers are drawn to packaging that’s fun, shareable, and full of personality. We’re breaking down four key trends shaping how Gen Z connects with brands.

Tight Budgets. High Expectations. Here’s How Smart Packaging Delivers Both.

When every dollar’s doing double duty, your packaging design better work. Packaging that pulls its weight doesn’t just sit pretty; it grabs attention, tells a story fast, and nudges that hand toward the cart. Smart choices in layout, hierarchy, and emotional spark can boost your brand’s vibe and value without dropping extra cash on ads. That’s the beauty of intelligent design: it saves money, sells better, and still turns heads on shelf.

Shelf Science: What Actually Gets Picked Up?

In today’s competitive retail landscape, the science behind what gets noticed and what gets purchased, extends far beyond attractive packaging. Shelf science combines elements of psychology, design, and consumer behavior to understand how shoppers make decisions in-store. From color placement to eye-level positioning, every detail is engineered to influence attention and, ultimately, drive conversion.

Trouble on the Shelf? 8 (Fixable) Packaging Fails.

Is your brand stuck in last season? See the difference a bold refresh can make with our stunning before-and-after branding transformations. Let your business shine brighter this summer with a visual identity that’s fresh, modern, and made to communicate your product’s benefits more effectively! Book your branding update today!

Summer’s Here — Time for a Brand Refresh!

Your Branding and Packaging Experts

If you’re looking for a future-forward CPG partner who knows how to make your brand pop, you’re in the right place.

Augmented Reality (AR) Packaging

Augmented Reality (AR) is revolutionizing packaging design in 2024, offering consumers futuristic and immersive experiences that captivate and engage. This week, we explore how AR is transforming consumer interactions with products, particularly in the technology sector.

Smart Packaging

As we move further into the digital age, the role of packaging is expanding beyond traditional functions. The integration of IoT (Internet of Things) elements into packaging is not just an innovation; it is a fundamental shift in how we perceive and interact with products. We live in an age where packaging designs can be intelligent, sustainable, and aesthetically advanced.

AI-Enhanced Packaging Design Processes

In today’s rapidly evolving professional landscape, the transformative power of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is reshaping every industry. In packaging design, AI is emerging as a game-changer, enhancing creativity, optimizing workflows, and generating design variations based on consumer insights and preferences. This synergy between AI and human intelligence is setting the stage for a new era of design innovation.

The Art and Science of Packaging — Interactive Packaging Design

Packaging design is evolving rapidly, shifting from a static form to an interactive experience. In our fast-paced, media-driven society, consumers are no longer passive recipients; they are active participants who influence and are influenced by the products they use. This paradigm shift has led to the rise of interactive packaging design, a cutting-edge approach that prioritizes user experience and fosters a reciprocal relationship between consumers and products.

Designing an Anthropomorphic Chatbot with Its Personality — Choosing Between Male and Female Traits

In today's technologically advanced landscape, chatbots are transforming how businesses interact with their customers. These electronic conversational agents leverage natural language processing and machine learning to automate interactions, providing users with an engaging and efficient way to access corporate services.

Intelligent Packaging and Blockchain

In today's market, consumers demand more transparency and accountability from the brands they trust. Intelligent packaging, augmented with QR codes, meets this demand by providing detailed narratives about a product's journey, sourcing, authenticity, and environmental impact. This innovation turns packaging into an interactive gateway, enhancing consumer engagement and trust.

Minimalist vs. Maximalist Packaging Design

In the ever-evolving world of design, the dichotomy between minimalist and maximalist packaging design offers a fascinating contrast, much like two sides of a finely crafted coin. These distinct aesthetic approaches, though seemingly opposed, each have their own merits and ideal applications, showcasing their true potential in different contexts.

Color Saturation and Consumer Perception of Product Sustainability

In today's eco-conscious market, companies are leveraging color to convey sustainability messages effectively. Natural hues, particularly green, have become synonymous with eco-friendliness. However, recent research reveals that the saturation of these colors significantly impacts consumer perceptions of a product's sustainability.

Nostalgic Packaging Design

Nostalgia, that bittersweet longing for the past, has become a powerful tool in marketing, particularly in packaging design. It serves as a visual time machine, transporting consumers to earlier eras and creating immediate connections with their personal histories. Whether it’s the vibrant and psychedelic aesthetics of the 1960s or the bold, neon-soaked styles of the 1980s, retro-inspired packaging resonates deeply with consumers. For older demographics, this connection is even more poignant, allowing them to relive cherished memories from their youth.

How Visual Crowding in Packaging Sparks Consumer Desire to Buy

In the realm of packaging aesthetics, a fascinating phenomenon known as white space plays a crucial role in how design elements interact with their surroundings. White space refers to the amount of empty space around a message or design element. Some packaging designs, like Apple's iconic approach, embrace generous white space to evoke simplicity and elegance. In contrast, other designs, such as Kraft's Macaroni and Cheese packaging, venture into reduced white space, creating a vibrant and visually intense tapestry where images and text closely intertwine.

Crossmodal Correspondences — How Visual Shapes Influence Taste Perceptions

The association between visual shapes and taste perceptions has long captivated sensory psychologists and packaging designers. One particularly intriguing observation is that individuals often associate curved and symmetrical shapes with sweetness, while angular and asymmetrical shapes are more commonly linked to other basic tastes such as sourness, bitterness, saltiness, and umami. This phenomenon, known as crossmodal correspondence, highlights the intricate interplay between visual and gustatory stimuli.

Creative Design Process — It’s All About Intuition

Graphic designers seamlessly blend images, typography, and interactive media to craft compelling messages and user experiences. But where do their ideas originate, and how do they transform them into designs? While intuition is often cited as a crucial element, the specifics of how graphic designers harness it remain somewhat mysterious.

Exploring the Emotional Connection Between Product Shapes and Nostalgia

Marketing research highlights the intricate relationship between nostalgia, consumer preferences for product shapes, and the underlying mechanism of social connectedness. Understanding how nostalgia influences these preferences is crucial for designers aiming to create appealing and effective products.

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