10 packaging designs from Central & South America
Sometimes when you’re looking for inspiration it’s good to step outside your local area. On a recent trip around Central & South America we spent some time just exploring local packaging design in stores and supermarkets. Some are classics of the region, some are a different spin on a design, and some are a little more familiar. Take a look at 10 of our favourite packaging design ideas from stores across Central & South America. This isn’t about being ground-breaking, but showing what local packaging design is like – all from the comfort of your home.
- Coperalcool
Looking more like a brand of water than a cleaning product, Coperalcool is a liquid alcohol cleaner. What’s interesting about the packaging design is that rather than use a label the product details and brand name are printed directly onto the plastic bottle. The bottle shape is easy to handle making it ideal for the task at hand, and the company uses simple colourways and punchy graphics to denote different smells.
- Havaianas gift boxes
Perhaps the brightest and most fun gift boxes out there, what’s really interesting about these designs for Brazilian flip flop brand Havaianas is that they were still in use over the Christmas period. Showing that cool graphics and striking colour mixes work any time of year, the Amizade cylinder in particular shows that packaging for footwear doesn’t have to conform to the traditional box design.
- Globo Biscuits
Ubiquitous throughout Rio and its beaches, including the famous Copacabana, Biscoito Globo are an institution. The two-tone design of the globe-headed mascot is simple but lovely, which has helped it become so culturally engrained. The packaging also prominently indicates the place of origin. Available in two flavours – sweet and salty – the only difference between the packaging is the use of colour ensuring its as recognisable as possible.
- Si shoes
This Brazilian brand of flexible lightweight shoes are packaged in something different to your standard shoebox. Because the shoes can bend and twist they can be packaged in upright red canisters. Compared to your traditional boxes, the cylinder design and bright colouring make for an attractive in-store display when stacked – eliminating the need for other marketing materials. In addition, a rope handle in the top of each canister means the packaging doubles up as a bag.
- Granado skincare
Founded in 1870, Granado is a staple skincare brand in X. The company has a long heritage and it showcases this by using the same traditional packaging design that it has for years. The red box with yellow and green circle is therefore instantly recognisable. At the same time the company has also launched a more modern series of designs which use flower-based repeating patterns and colours to show the different scents. The designs still have something of a heritage look to them, while also appearing a bit more high-end.
- Soy Chillim Balam pots
Dorilocos, or Crazy Doritos, are a well-known delicacy of Mexico. Dorito chips are mixed with gummy sweets, nuts and vegetables and topped with sauce, with all sorts of flavour combinations possible. Soy Chillim Balam is one company offering these sorts of treats as part of its wide variety of candy and snack products. Its cool packaging and bold jaguar motif make the cups the snacks come in as attention-grabbing as the contents!
- Livo glasses
Livo is Brazil’s answer to Warby Parker. As the first Brazilian eyewear brand that began life purely in the online space, the company is working to disrupt the typical glasses buying experience. It has since moved into the offline space with installations in various stores. These use a lot of light wood in their aesthetic and this is carried over to the tubes that house the glasses. A simple cardboard design with Livo’s logo printed on it, the design is eye-catching in its minimalism.
- Wewi
Wewi is the first organic soda brand to be made in Brazil. The company is proud of its use of natural and organic ingredients and this carries over into the can design. Each flavour uses one or two bright colours to denote what it is, while every can has a simple smiley face logo on it. Apart from making the product look fun, the smiley face also ties in with the idea of Wewi being a better brand of soft drink.
- Brownie do Luiz
This Rio brownie brand certainly knows how to stand out on the shelf. The design has a simple red and white colour scheme, yet it immediately draws the eye. The logo graphic has a cool, punchy style to it, which also evokes the idea of a bit having been taken out the top. In addition, the use of a plastic lid means that the packaging can be resealed allowing the contents to be enjoyed over time.
- L’Occitane eco-recharge refill
This isn’t an idea that’s exclusive to South America L’Occitane stores (you can find it all over the world), but it’s still interesting. Rather than customers always buying a new plastic bottle of product when theirs runs out, the eco-recharge refill pack is designed to make it easy for customers to pour it into the same bottle. The packaging is a flexible pouch, with an integrated, resealable nozzle for pouring. It’s interesting to see a fairly high-end brand embracing sustainability through design.
