Unexpected collaborations break conventions often combining seemingly unrelated brands or industries. The purpose is to create hype, expand audiences, and enhance brand value by delivering something fresh and surprising.
Packaging is where these partnerships come to life, where design sensibilities merge with compelling stories to emotionally engage consumers. In this blog, we introduce three examples of brand collab packaging designs.
KFC X Kraft Dinner
Few collaborations embody unexpected synergy better than the KFC X KD partnership. This epic collaboration unites two iconic food brands to deliver a unique flavor mash-up.
The recognizable Kraft Dinner blue and yellow scheme covers the design to maintain the classic KD branding. It also creatively combines the mac and cheese imagery with KFC’s signature red and white striped box and logo for a seamless eye-catching fusion. By adding quirky details such as the spoon merging into the swirl of mac and cheese in the KFC bucket, our packaging tells a story of two brands joining forces in an authentic new way. The obvious combination of the two well-known brands is a visual teaser for a flavor experience that feels at once comforting and innovative.
Image Source: Toronto.com and Amazon
MerryBerry Bublé
Another example of unexpected brilliance is the collaboration between Bubly Sparkling Water and singer-songwriter Michael Bublé for the launch of its limited-edition “Merry Berry” flavor.
Our design for “Merry Berry” leaned into the whimsy of the partnership, with a warm red color palette that exudes holiday vibes. The packaging captures the sparkle of the holiday season with a Christmas sweater design that wraps around the can. It also includes cheery designs of gingerbread men, music notes, Christmas trees, and reindeer. The “bubly” logo, with the added accent “e” ties in with the singer, whose persona is synonymous with holiday cheer. This festive collaboration showcased how a well-matched celebrity partnership could make a seasonal product unforgettable.
Image Source: SLD
KD X Super Mario
The KD X Super Mario brings nostalgia and playfulness to the table. By combining Kraft Dinner’s mac and cheese with the beloved Super Mario Universe, the collaboration appeals to both children discovering the franchise and long-time fans. The product features pasta shapes inspired by elements of the Super Mario universe.
The packaging is a prime example of how thoughtful design can elevate a product and turn a collaboration into a cultural moment. The design showcases these fun shapes prominently, with vibrant images of the pasta forms on the front of the traditional blue KD box. The design also incorporates beloved characters from the Super Mario universe, such as Mario, Luigi, and Princess Peach. The KD logo retains its yellow-and-black style while set against a bright blue sky with green rolling hills to immerse consumers in the game universe.
Image Source: Walmart
Wrapping it up
Adventurous Collaborations allow brands to tap into different fan bases, expanding brand reach and cross-category relevance. These partnerships not only push boundaries but also enable bold and experimental approaches in both product and packaging design that create memorable moments and lasting consumer-brand connections.
