A resurgence of the 1980s popular bold design trend is finding its way into brand packaging, but in a modern way. Here’s how you can leverage the consumer nostalgia for your own products.

Tristan Le Breton, Creative Director

August 30, 2021

5 Slides

Memphis Design is well and truly back. Driven partly by Gen X and Millennial nostalgia and the celebration of its 40th anniversary, the loud 80s aesthetic is in vogue once more. And it’s cropping up everywhere from fashion and graphic design to product packaging and branding.

The movement is known for its asymmetrical geometric shapes, wild patterns, and sometimes gaudy, clashing colors — disrupting the status quo of the structured, simple minimalist design popular at the time.

While Memphis Design started with furniture, it wasn’t long before it seeped into other realms of popular culture — fitting nicely with many of the other over-the-top styles of the decade (think shoulder pads, parachute pants, and perms!). 

If you’ve been thinking about freshening up your branding, tapping into this resurging design trend can be a great way to do so.

A great product can get lost in a lackluster package, so don’t be afraid to take a little risk! After all, Memphis Design is first and foremost about breaking rules! Great packaging design gets your buyers excited about your product before they even open it. And the energy, freedom, and joy of Memphis Design is an opportunity to wow your customers from the second they lay eyes on it.

Here are a few Do’s and Don’ts to help you give your packaging a little Memphis makeover in a modern and effective way.

About the Author(s)

Tristan Le Breton

Creative Director, 99designs by Vistaprint

Tristan Le Breton is Creative Director at 99designs by Vistaprint, the global creative platform that makes it easy for clients and creators to work together online. Le Breton has a multidisciplinary background in brand identity and digital product design, and a passion for solving strategic problems through human-centered design approaches.

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