The Natural History Museum of Utah hired Drew Ehrgott to complete packaging designs for the company's gift shop. The result is a transparent look that holds various rock minerals, however, upon first glance the entire design resembles candy.
Drawing this association between candy and rocks is a clever one, considering most children will be drawn to sweets over previous minerals. In a way, the rocks look like Easter eggs just waiting to be eaten. The only downside to this branding aesthetic is the risk of having children disappointed upon finding out that the rocks are inedible. However, for more science-inclined kids they subconsciously be drawn to the candy-like look and still be content with buying rocks from the Natural History Museum of Utah.
Key Themes Behind This Trend
- Candy-inspired Packaging
- Opportunity to create packaging designs that resemble candy to attract consumers, especially children.
- Crossover Merchandising
- Opportunity to blend different product categories and create associations that appeal to a wider audience, such as candy-like rock minerals.
- Subconscious Marketing
- Opportunity to leverage subconscious associations, like the candy-like look, to attract specific target groups and drive sales.
Where This Applies
- Retail
- Opportunity in the retail industry to incorporate candy-inspired packaging designs to enhance the visual appeal of products.
- Tourism
- Opportunity in the tourism industry, specifically in gift shops, to offer unique and creative merchandise like candy-like rock minerals.
- Education
- Opportunity in the education industry to use crossover merchandising strategies that make learning materials more engaging, such as combining candy and science-related products.
