# Cardboard Design This heavyweight paper becomes a primary material for eco-friendly design. By [Katherinev123](https://www.trendhunter.com/katherine), Contributing Editor | Published Feb 21, 2012, updated Mar 27, 2012 | Category: [Eco](https://www.trendhunter.com/pro/category/environmental-trends) Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/cardboard-design ## Key Figures - Trend score: 4.6/10 - Evidence articles: 9 ## What is the Cardboard Design trend? **Cardboard Design:** Cardboard has typically been used for things like food takeout containers, shipping boxes and the like, but over the course of the year, designers have been applying it to everything from architecture to branding. An eco-friendly building material, cardboard is also heavier than ordinary paper, making it more practical for construction and design. The use of cardboard seems to have no bounds, especially as designers and companies get more creative with it. ## At a Glance - Evidence: 9 featured examples - Articles from: Mar 19 to Dec 19, 2011 - Published: Feb 21, 2012 - Patterns: [Cyclicality](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/cyclicality), [Reduction](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/reduction) - Megatrends: [Naturality](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/naturality), [Nostalgia](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/nostalgia) ## Audience - Gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Themes within the Cardboard Design trend ### Cardboard as Sustainable Material Businesses can explore innovative ways to use cardboard as a more eco-friendly and heavier alternative to ordinary paper such as Cat Houses, Churches, Coat Hangers, and Playgrounds. ### Cardboard as Creative Branding Element Incorporating cardboard into branding efforts, such as using it to package products, allows for a unique and practical approach, for example, Aufschwung Swing packaging and Reinhard Deines 'Dickens' bookshelf. ### Cardboard as Offbeat Luxury Material Luxury companies could explore cardboard as an unconventional yet elegant material for temporary design, such as Hermes + Shigeru Ban Pavilion, showcasing home objects in a modular pop-up structure made entirely out of paper. ## What the Cardboard Design trend means for industry ### For Sustainable Architecture Architects can explore using cardboard as a more eco-friendly and affordable building material as demonstrated by the 1864 Cathedral in New Zealand and Bloomberg Meeting Space by Lazerian. ### For Environmental Interior Design Interior designers can incorporate cardboard into their projects as demonstrated by the unique, sustainable, and functional Pupa meeting area inside Bloomberg's London headquarters, enhancing the acoustical and structural elements of the cardboard material. ### For Creative Eco-Friendly Branding Businesses can incorporate simple yet sustainable cardboard packaging to showcase their products and increase its aesthetic values, such as the modern Aufschwung Swing packaging, the luxury Hermes + Shigeru Ban Pavilion and the Reinhard Deines 'Dickens' bookshelf. ## Trend signals for Cardboard Design Trend score 4.6 out of 10, from popularity 63%, activity 66%, freshness 8%. - Popularity: 63% - Activity: 66% - Freshness: 8% ## Examples of the Cardboard Design trend 9 featured examples from Mar 19 to Dec 19, 2011. - [Bow-Shaped Branding](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/aufschwung-swing-packaging): Aufschwung Swing Packaging Celebrates the Crescent Form of its Contents (Category: Eco) Implication: Innovative packaging design can create a competitive edge in the consumer goods industry. - [Prefabricated Playgrounds](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/play-modern-cuba): The Play Modern Cuba and 2cuba Playhouses are Built With Minimal Tools (Category: Eco) Implication: Toy manufacturers can explore the use of minimalist materials and modular design in creating innovative and adaptable play experiences for children. - [Luxury Paper Pop-Ups](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hermes-shigeru-ban-pavilion): Hermes + Shigeru Ban Pavilion is an Eco-Friendly Design (Category: Eco) Implication: The architecture industry can embrace modular pop-up structures and incorporate eco-friendly design principles to create innovative and sustainable buildings. - [Completely Recyclable Compartments](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/reinhard-deines-dickens-bookshelf): The Reinhard Deines 'Dickens' Bookshelf is Sustainably Chic (Category: Eco) Implication: The sustainable design of the Reinhard Deines 'Dickens' bookshelf presents a disruptive innovation opportunity for businesses in the furniture and home decor industry to create ec… - [Cardboard Coat Hangers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/memory-hook): The Memory Hook is Unmatched by Plastic and Metal Racks (Category: Eco) Implication: Fashion retailers can consider incorporating the Memory Hook or similar concepts to offer customers more environmentally friendly options for storing and displaying clothing. - [Cardboard Constructed Interiors](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bloomberg-meeting-space-by-lazarian): The Bloomberg Meeting Space by Lazerian is Paper-Made (Category: Art & Design) Implication: The use of cardboard as a primary material in interior design opens up opportunities for eco-friendly and visually appealing designs. - [Cardboard Cat Houses](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kitty-dome): The Kitty Dome is a Sustainable Space for Your Furry Feline (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: Opportunity for pet supply companies to create more sustainable and cat-friendly products. - [Cardboard Churches](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/1864-cathedral): The 1864 Cathedral in New Zealand Will Be Rebuilt Out of Cardboard (Category: Eco) Implication: Opportunity for architects and construction companies to adopt sustainable and cost-effective cardboard structures in their designs. - [Upcycled Festive Tannenbaums](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cardboard-christmas-tree1): A 'Makedo Kit' Will Help You Create a Cardboard Christmas Tree (Category: Art & Design) Implication: The craft and hobby industry can benefit from the upcycling trend by offering materials, tools, and instructions for DIY projects like creating cardboard Christmas trees. ## Recent trend clusters - [Assisted Choices](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/weight-loss-medication-support) (Lifestyle) - [Storyline Sips](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/themed-drink-menus) (Lifestyle) - [Bedtime Cocoon](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/sleep-sensory-blocking) (Lifestyle) - [Source Signatures](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/oak-finish-whiskey) (Lifestyle) ## Trending in Eco - [Jewel-Toned Fall Apparel](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/quince-silk) - [Compostable Coffee Pucks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/compostable-coffee-pucks) - [Intelligent Private Grids](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ara-core-powers) - [Compact Electric Family MPVs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/compact-electric-family-mpvs) All articles: [Eco](https://www.trendhunter.com/eco)