Fresh examples of 3 examples of branding through packaging design that actually build brands

1. Why start with real examples of branding through packaging design

Theory is fine, but packaging lives in the wild: on shelves, in unboxing videos, in recycling bins, and on Instagram. The best examples of branding through packaging design show up consistently across all of those touchpoints. They’re not just pretty; they’re strategic.

When we talk about examples of 3 examples of branding through packaging design, we’re really talking about three core branding jobs that packaging can do:

• Signal: Who is this for, and what does it promise?
• Differentiate: Why pick this over the 47 other options?
• Remember: Will I recognize and rebuy it later?

The strongest packaging systems hit all three. Let’s walk through several real examples that nail these jobs in different ways, and you can borrow the parts that fit your own brand.

2. Coca‑Cola, Pepsi, and Olipop – examples of 3 examples of branding through packaging design in the beverage aisle

The soda aisle is a visual war zone. That makes it a perfect place to look for examples of 3 examples of branding through packaging design operating at full volume.

Example of heritage branding: Coca‑Cola

Coke is a masterclass in long-term consistency. The red, the ribbon script, the contour bottle – all of it is so locked in that the brand can strip away almost everything and still be recognized instantly.

How the packaging builds the brand:

• Color as a logo: Coca‑Cola red is so recognizable that even limited editions keep it as the anchor. This is a textbook example of using color as the main branding device.
• Shape as memory: The contour glass bottle is essentially a 3D logo. Even in a blind silhouette, you know it’s Coke.
• Minimalist seasonal twists: Holiday cans or collabs tweak illustrations, but the core brand elements stay untouched. That balance between novelty and recognition is one of the best examples of branding through packaging design over time.

Example of direct competition: Pepsi

Pepsi is like Coca‑Cola’s extroverted cousin. The 2023–2024 rebrand brought back a bolder, more retro wordmark wrapped into the globe icon, with higher contrast and darker blues.

Branding moves in the packaging:

• Bolder logo lockup: The wordmark now sits inside the globe, making the can feel more solid and confident on shelf.
• High-contrast colors: The deeper blue and stronger black accents give it a more modern, edgy energy compared to Coke’s classic feel.
• Youth positioning: The design leans into music, sports, and pop culture tie-ins, signaling a more energetic, younger vibe.

Together, Coke and Pepsi are great examples of 3 examples of branding through packaging design: heritage consistency, competitive differentiation, and cultural positioning.

Example of modern wellness branding: Olipop

Now drop a can of Olipop into that same aisle. Different universe.

• Muted, dessert-like colors: Soft pastels and cream backgrounds say “gut-friendly treat,” not “sugar bomb.”
• Playful typography: Rounded type and big, friendly flavor names support the brand’s nostalgic, soda-but-better story.
• Health callouts as design: Prebiotic, low sugar, and plant-based benefits are baked into the layout, not slapped on as afterthoughts.

Olipop is a real example of using packaging to reposition soda as a wellness product without losing the fun. It’s branding through packaging design that tells a new story in a familiar category.

3. Apple, Nothing, and Teenage Engineering – examples include tech that feels like jewelry

Tech packaging has quietly become one of the best examples of branding through packaging design, especially in the premium space.

Example of luxury minimalism: Apple

Apple’s packaging is basically unboxing theater.

• White space and restraint: Clean boxes, minimal text, and simple product shots say, “This is premium. No shouting needed.”
• Tactile experience: The slow, air-pressure slide when you lift the lid feels intentional and expensive.
• Consistency across devices: iPhone, MacBook, AirPods – all share a common packaging language, reinforcing the ecosystem.

Apple is a classic example of using packaging to make tech feel like high-end lifestyle goods. The box isn’t just a container; it’s part of the product.

Example of transparent storytelling: Nothing

Nothing (the tech brand) leans hard into transparency as its core idea – and the packaging follows.

• Semi-transparent visuals: The product photography highlights the see-through hardware, making the internals part of the design story.
• Monochrome palette: Black, white, and subtle grays keep the focus on form and structure.
• Graphic system: Dotted lines and diagram-like elements nod to engineering blueprints.

This is a sharp example of branding through packaging design where the brand’s philosophy (nothing to hide) is literally visible in how the product is presented.

Example of playful hi-fi: Teenage Engineering

Teenage Engineering’s gear looks like it crashed a synth party in a Scandinavian design museum.

• Bold, graphic layouts: Packaging often uses flat colors, grid systems, and technical illustrations with a wink.
• DIY vibes: Some products come in packaging that feels almost like a kit – inviting tinkering.
• Personality: The tone of copy and visuals is quirky and human, which stands out in a tech world full of sterile boxes.

These three brands are strong examples of 3 examples of branding through packaging design in tech: luxury minimalism, transparent honesty, and playful engineering.

4. Glossier, Fenty Skin, and refillable beauty – best examples of brand worlds in the bathroom

Beauty and skincare packaging lives on vanities and in selfies, so it has to work hard both up close and on camera.

Example of soft, shareable branding: Glossier

Glossier built a brand that looks like a dewy Instagram filter.

• Soft pink ecosystem: From the boxes to the infamous pink bubble pouches, the color is instantly recognizable.
• Simple, friendly type: Clean sans-serif typography keeps things approachable, not clinical.
• Secondary packaging as merch: People actually keep and reuse the pouches. When packaging becomes a lifestyle object, your brand has moved into daily life.

Glossier is a widely cited example of branding through packaging design turning customers into unpaid brand ambassadors.

Example of inclusive, bold design: Fenty Skin

Fenty Skin takes Rihanna’s “beauty for all” positioning and translates it into packaging.

• Gender-neutral forms: Soft, cylindrical bottles in muted lilacs and grays avoid hyper-feminine cues.
• Refill-first structures: Many products are designed with refillable cartridges, making sustainability visible.
• Photo-friendly shapes: Products stack, line up, and photograph beautifully – perfect for social media.

Fenty Skin is a strong example of how packaging can communicate inclusivity, sustainability, and luxury all at once.

Example of refill culture: Refillable beauty trend

Across beauty, refill systems are one of the standout 2024–2025 trends. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, containers and packaging make up a significant share of municipal solid waste each year, which is pushing brands to rethink throwaway designs (EPA data).

Brands like Kjaer Weis, Humanrace, and mainstream players experimenting with refill pods and cartridges show real examples of branding through packaging design where the structure itself says, “We care about waste.”

• Visible refills become a visual signal of values.
• Modular systems encourage product families and repeat purchases.

These are some of the best examples of packaging doing double duty: branding and behavior change.

5. Oatly, Liquid Death, and Patagonia Provisions – examples of packaging that shout values

When a brand has a strong opinion, packaging is the megaphone.

Example of loud, conversational cartons: Oatly

Oatly turned oat milk into a personality.

• Hand-lettered style type: The packaging looks like someone doodled over a milk carton in the best way.
• Copy as design: Jokes, side comments, and manifesto-style text cover every panel.
• Values front and center: Sustainability claims and climate messaging are integrated into the layout.

Oatly is a modern example of branding through packaging design where tone of voice is as recognizable as the logo.

Example of metal-as-attitude: Liquid Death

Liquid Death sells canned water, but the packaging screams heavy metal.

• Tallboy cans: Borrowing the visual language of beer and energy drinks instantly flips expectations.
• Skull and gothic type: The brand leans into horror-movie aesthetics for something as mild as mountain water.
• Viral-friendly: The design is so unexpected that it practically begs to be photographed and shared.

This is one of the best examples of using packaging to reposition a commodity product (water) as a lifestyle statement.

Example of quiet activism: Patagonia Provisions

Patagonia Provisions extends Patagonia’s environmental stance into food.

• Earthy colors and materials: Matte finishes, browns, and muted tones evoke the outdoors.
• Storytelling panels: Packaging explains sourcing, ecosystems, and impact.
• Consistency with apparel: The visual language connects back to Patagonia clothing tags and catalogs.

Here, packaging is an example of branding that reinforces a long-standing mission: protecting the planet.

6. DTC unboxing: Away, Allbirds, and subscription brands as real examples

Direct-to-consumer brands live and die by first impressions, and the box on your doorstep is the first physical touchpoint.

Example of travel as a system: Away

Away’s suitcases come in packaging that feels like part of the journey.

• Clean, solid outer boxes: Simple branding creates a calm, premium feel.
• Interior messaging: Lid copy and inserts talk about destinations, durability, and care.
• Color coordination: The suitcase color and interior materials are often mirrored or complemented by the packaging.

It’s an example of branding through packaging design where the unboxing feels like the start of a trip, not just a product arrival.

Example of cozy sustainability: Allbirds

Allbirds leans hard into natural materials and comfort.

• Single-piece folded boxes: Many shoes ship in packaging that doubles as a shoe box and shipping box, cutting waste.
• Illustrations and copy: Friendly drawings of sheep and trees reinforce the natural material story.
• Recycling cues: Clear instructions for recycling or reusing the box align with the brand’s sustainability claims.

This is a practical example of how structural design decisions support brand values and logistics.

Subscription boxes as packaging playgrounds

From beauty boxes to snack subscriptions, DTC brands often use:

• Bold interior prints: Plain outside, party inside – a nice metaphor for discovery.
• Seasonal themes: Rotating artwork keeps long-term subscribers engaged.
• Personalization: Names, tailored messages, or QR codes leading to custom content.

These are all real examples of 3 examples of branding through packaging design at work: brand storytelling, customer delight, and retention.

7. How to use these examples of 3 examples of branding through packaging design in your own work

Looking at all these brands together, a few patterns show up that you can steal shamelessly (and adapt thoughtfully):

• Pick one hero element. Maybe it’s a color (Coke red), a structure (Coke bottle), or a type style (Oatly). Make it the thing people remember.
• Design for the real environment. Will your product live on crowded shelves, in tiny convenience stores, or mostly in unboxing videos? Liquid Death and Olipop are built for shelves; Apple and Away are built for home unboxing.
• Let values show up physically. Refillable systems, reduced materials, and clear recycling cues aren’t just eco moves; they’re branding moves. The EPA’s data on packaging waste is a good reminder that customers are paying attention to this story now more than ever (EPA packaging overview).
• Think in systems, not one-off boxes. The best examples of branding through packaging design work across SKUs, seasons, and formats. Glossier’s pink, Fenty’s refill language, and Apple’s white minimalism all scale.

If you’re building your own brand, keep a folder of real examples. Screenshots, physical boxes, cans you liked enough to smuggle home in your carry-on – they’re all reference material for your next packaging brief.

FAQ: examples of branding through packaging design

Q1. Can small brands create strong packaging without a big budget?
Yes. Many of the best examples of branding through packaging design from indie brands rely on smart typography, a distinctive color palette, and clever copy rather than expensive materials. A simple kraft box with a bold, consistent label system can look more intentional than a fancy box with messy branding.

Q2. What’s a simple example of improving branding through packaging design?
A straightforward example of an upgrade is standardizing label layouts across all products: same logo position, same hierarchy for product name and flavor, and consistent color coding by category. This makes your shelf presence stronger and your brand easier to recognize.

Q3. How important is sustainability in packaging right now?
Very. Consumer awareness of packaging waste has increased, and many buyers now expect at least some visible effort toward recyclability or reduced materials. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency provides data and guidelines on packaging and waste that can help inform design decisions (EPA resources). Brands that show their sustainability choices clearly on the pack often gain trust and loyalty.

Q4. Are minimal designs always better for branding?
Not always. Minimalism works for brands like Apple that want to signal calm, luxury, and control. But brands like Oatly or Liquid Death show that maximal, loud designs can be just as effective. The right approach depends on your audience, category, and core brand personality.

Q5. How many packaging variations should a brand have?
Enough to clearly organize your product line, but not so many that recognition suffers. Many strong brands use a master template and then vary color, small icons, or illustrations. Look at Coca‑Cola’s product family as one of the best examples: different variants, same core look.