5 Designs We Love

The past twelve months have been historic for many different reasons, and many brands have been having lots of internal conversations about how and when to address current events. Other brands have a long history of putting their politics front and center via package design, from silly puns to patriotic designs. However we might see brands tackling current events over the next few weeks and months, here are some strong package design examples that can lead the way.

White House Chocolate Chip Ice Cream by Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream ©

As vice president, Joe Biden’s love of ice cream was very well-documented. Now that he’s become the 46^th president of the United States (and a personal friend of Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream © founder Jeni Britton Bauer), the Ohio-based ice cream company has honored him with a pint inspired by his go-to order: a double scoop of chocolate chip on a waffle cone.

Stacy’s® Pita Chips’ Women’s History Month Packaging

Back in February 2017, Stacy’s® Pita Chips released a line of limited-edition packaging to celebrate Women’s History Month. The bags were part of a tie-in campaign with Step Up, an organization that provides career mentoring to young women.

Eliqs’® “I Voted” Lager and Canned White Wine

Although the alcohol company is most famous for their customized cans, Eliqs® also releases quirky collections based around certain themes. According to the company’s website, “Voting is important. Celebrating the fact that you voted is important. I Voted stickers are good, but I Voted beer is better… enjoy.”

Impeachment Vodka by AMASS ®

AMASS’s® cheeky peach vodka commemorates this historic moment with notes of rose, ginger, and red currant. The company produces high-end botanical products, including alcoholic spirits and personal care products like hand sanitizer, soap, candles, and bath salts.

Ben & Jerry’s® Justice Remix’d

Here is another variety that comes as the result of a collaborative campaign, this time with the Advancement Project National Office for criminal justice reform. Ben & Jerry’s® is a great example of a brand that has always been very forward with their beliefs – over the years, they’ve released limited-edition flavors like 2015’s Save Our Swirled (a raspberry, marshmallow, and fudge ice cream to promote climate activism) and 2016’s Empower Mint (a mint, chocolate brownie, and fudge ice cream with a portion of proceeds going to the North Carolina chapter of the NAACP).

For brands that want to speak up about current events and issues, package design can be a really effective way to communicate with shoppers. If consumers turn to snacks and follow the news as much as they did in 2020, we could see even more brands going in this direction in 2021.