What We Learned, and What We Missed at Sweets & Snacks 2025
At Sweets & Snacks 2025, flavor innovation stole the show, but something was missing. While branding dazzled, structural packaging design barely made a ripple. We’re diving into why that matters and where brands could be pushing the boundaries. Curious what was overlooked? Let’s unpack it.
OUR THINKING
The World Through Our Lens
It’s all about perspective. Our team has thoughts on CPG branding, strategy, design, packaging, prototyping, sustainability, design trends, and just about everything else impacting our industry. Want a fresh POV in your inbox? Subscribe for updates (and follow us on social!).
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...
Sundance Inspiration
Sundance is a 10-day event that celebrates global cultural experiences, told through film, that are sometimes tragic and humorous and most always provocative. The films range from dramatic narratives to suspenseful world premiers and eye opening documentaries that...
Kaleidoscope Spotlight: Chuck Judy, Model Shop Manager
What did you do before you came to Kaleidoscope? I joined Kaleidoscope in December of 1998. I move to Chicago right after graduating from the Cleveland Institute of Art with a degree in photography and sculpture. I started freelancing as an assistant for commercial...
Actionable Consumer Research For Winning at Shelf
Do you remember those 3D things from the 90s that were often the go-to page in the newspaper’s comic section on Sundays? They made fun of them on a Seinfeld episode way back. Elaine’s boss saw one and no matter what he did he couldn’t see the image in the picture. ...
Demetrius Romanos Speaking at FMCG Confex
On Thursday, November 21st, 2014, Vice President of Design & Innovation, Demetrius Romanos will be traveling to Delhi, India where he will be speaking at the FMCG Confex – Innopack Conference in two sessions! One session will focus on determining means to...
Kaleidoscope Welcomes Janet Deaton, Vice President, Strategy & Insights
We are happy to announce that Janet Deaton has joined the company as Vice President, Strategy & Insights where she will lead the evolution of the firm’s strategic consulting capabilities, refine creative and client service processes, and support business...
Kaleidoscope Captures Two Top 10 Spots in the 2013 IDSA Launch Competition
Kaleidoscope has been selected as a finalist for the Launch Day challenge this week at the IDSA International Conference being held in Chicago. We are proud to announce that two of our designs were selected and ranked within the top ten out of over one hundred...
Kaleidoscope Announces its Expansion and Growth into New Categories
CHICAGO, IL (PRWEB) Kaleidoscope, one of the nations leading CPG design firms, will now begin applying that knowledge to new categories in the developing medical and drug fields, as well as industrial and commercial tools. The company is making these moves based on...
Is Your Creative Office An Oxymoron?
Let’s start with a simple question. What exactly is an office? Is it an enclosure for individual privacy or is an office a physical space where multi-disciplinary teams gather to work towards a common vision? The latter represents a place where many of us go to...