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.
Turning Negatives into Positives
When it comes to brands, I believe the successful ones will add benefits to their consumers’ lives rather than overly focusing on the setbacks.
Keep it Fresh: CPG Innovation for Our Next Normal
As consumers become more accustomed to a predominantly quarantined lifestyle, companies must solve new challenges to maintain their growth while attracting new consumers. Whether it’s embracing meals at home or reaching out to local grocers, CPG brands have a huge opportunity to continually shape and redefine their relevance for the future.
Disinfecting Brand Behavior
We are experiencing real changes in consumer behavior and online shopping, so we must support consumers with true brand solutions.
Going Digital
Embracing empathetic communication is what allowed us to adapt so successfully. We felt secure in ourselves and our capabilities.
Finding Calm in the Chaos
We, as leaders, are faced with very tough questions. Will we act first for ourselves or others, will we rise to the challenge or shrink from it? Just as importantly, will we focus on the chaos or the calm?
Moment of Truth
In light of recent changes, there are rich opportunities for both brands we are not so familiar with and our go-to love brands alike.
Finding Inspiration at Home
When we found out we were working from home, I was concerned. The office was what made me a stronger creative. Sketches and retro packaging stapled to the walls, co-workers teaching me design tricks, and other inspirational interruptions seemed to help guide my work. How would I recreate this creative environment at home?
Stuck! 6 Hacks to Strengthen Your Writing
As if suddenly working from home while fearing a global health crisis wasn’t enough, nearly a third of the nation’s workforce began experiencing an added stress: writing, and writing more often, and writing for occasions unusual for them.
Working From Home and the Importance of Prototyping
As the work-from-home culture of our industry evolves, so does our need to better communicate design thinking and design intent beyond beyond sharing computer-generated image.
From House to Home
As the ways we live continue to evolve, our approach to organizing and filling our homes have been subject to change as well.
In Defense of Design When Assets Offend
As designers, we should be embracing the changing consumer mindset and lead. With an understanding of strategic design principles, design history, storytelling and grounded marketing, we can support our clients with enacting meaningful change.
How Action-Centric Design Can Improve Client-Agency Relationships
The future of the agency-client relationship is more about creating an action-centric working partnership that starts with rethinking the brief and incorporating co-creation in design work.
