Our Thinking
The World Through our Lens
Kaleidoscope is a CPG packaging design and prototyping agency headquartered in Chicago. We’re makers, thinkers, and opinionated observers of everything packaging. Here’s what’s on our minds — from design trends and sustainability to the forces reshaping consumer goods. For a deeper look at our capabilities, visit: strategy, packaging design, and prototyping.
Latest Perspectives
April 17, 2026
Packaging that looks stunning on screen can fall completely flat at shelf. Explore why high-fidelity prototypes are the difference between packaging that earns placement and packaging that loses it.
3D Printing 101
Although 3D printing is becoming more and more popular, many individuals still do not understand how it works or the possibilities for use. We’re providing some of the basics here. What is 3D Printing? 3D printing is a process of creating solid three-dimensional...
Where's My Pickaxe?!
Product and Service Innovation to Support the Next Big Thing In the days of the California Gold Rush, many people believed they were going to grab a pickaxe and with one swing break into fortune. Unfortunately for most of them, their efforts were in vain, as few...
Inspiring Purposeful Design
From 2006 through 2013 Fred Richards every month wrote an article with observations on the marketing, design and graphic world around us. These articles were published in national and international design and marketing publications. In a return to these monthly...
Kaleidoscope Named One of Chicago’s “Best and Brightest Companies to Work For®”
Chicago, IL. – June 12, 2014 – Kaleidoscope, an integrated design and realization agency has been named one of Chicago’s Best and Brightest Companies to Work For® by the National Association for Business Resources (NABR), an organization that stresses the importance...
Prototyping – Does It Really Make a Difference in Packaging Development?!
Structural Prototyping PROTOTYPING: DOES IT REALLY MAKE A DIFFERENCE? Trish Galvez-Tuel, Sr. Business Development Manager, Realization June 5, 2014 Have you ever walked down the aisle of a grocery store, looked at all of the packages sitting on the shelf, and think...
Kaleidoscope Names Dyfed “Fred” Richards Chief Creative Officer and Partner
Kaleidoscope welcomes Dyfed “Fred” Richards as Chief Creative Officer and Managing Partner. Richards’ start at Kaleidoscope spurs the forward momentum that started with the redesign of its 35,000-square-foot headquarters and relaunch of the company website...
The Kaleidoscope Chicago Studio gets a Facelift
Take a behind the scenes look at the remodeling of the Kaleidoscope Chicago studio: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=McN1ZSiJizA
WEBINAR: 7 Steps for Delivering Sustainable Packaging Without Compromising Brand Equity
Kaleidoscope’s Industrial Design Director, Bryan Shova, recently led a workshop at the 2014 Sustainability in Packaging Conference in Orlando, Florida. There he discussed specific packaging considerations to help avoid compromising brand equity when designing...
Featured Work: Fairlife Purely Nutritious Milk
Forcing a Second Look at Milk Fair Oaks Farms is a large, closed-loop dairy farm in Fair Oaks, IN that focuses on sustainable practices and animal welfare to naturally produce milk of the highest quality. Dr. Mike McCloskey, the farm’s founder, is a veterinarian,...
Somehow I Manage: Three Lessons About Fostering Creativity From the World's Best Boss
If you’ve ever met me, you’ve likely discovered my obsession when it comes to NBC’s “The Office”. Since its debut in 2005, I’ve often found myself becoming the “That-reminds-me-of-that-one-time-in-The-Office-when…” guy, awkwardly quoting lines from the show that...
A New Craftsmen Revolution
During the Middle Ages, male and female craftsmen made many of the items we use today like clothing, furniture, jewelry, tools, wine, beer, cheese, and of course, weapons by hand. These expert craftsmen then sold their goods at local markets. This C2C or...
Private Label Gets Personal
It’s All About Her (or Him) We know that as consumers’ tastes, preferences and personal needs evolve, so must the brands and private labels that cater to them. In the grocery and beauty industry, it is clear that this involves getting to know your shopper’s personal...
