International Journal For Multidisciplinary Research

E-ISSN: 2582-2160     Impact Factor: 9.24

A Widely Indexed Open Access Peer Reviewed Multidisciplinary Bi-monthly Scholarly International Journal

Call for Paper Volume 7, Issue 4 (July-August 2025) Submit your research before last 3 days of August to publish your research paper in the issue of July-August.

A Visual Study of Sustainability Messaging and Practice in the Packaging Design of Cosmetic Brands: The Body Shop and Forest Essentials

Author(s) Dr. Udipti Jaiswal
Country India
Abstract In the context of growing ecological awareness and consumer demand for environmentally responsible products, packaging design has emerged as a critical platform for sustainability messaging. This research investigates how sustainability is visually communicated and practiced through packaging design by two leading cosmetic brands: The Body Shop and Forest Essentials. Drawing on principles of eco-design, semiotics, and branding strategies, this study aims to decode the aesthetic and material choices used to frame environmental responsibility. By applying qualitative content analysis on selected packaging samples and associated communication material, the paper identifies how graphic design elements such as typography, colour, imagery, and materials convey brand values aligned with ecological awareness. While The Body Shop leverages activist messaging and recycled material choices, Forest Essentials integrates traditional Indian ethos with sustainability as luxury. The findings reveal how both brands merge visual aesthetics with ethical sustainability practices, while also underscoring a need for more transparent communication around material sourcing, packaging impact, and product lifecycle. The study contributes to design discourse by critically evaluating the semiotic layers of sustainable packaging and suggests pathways for more inclusive and measurable eco-design practices.
Keywords Sustainable Packaging, Visual Communication, Eco-design, Branding, The Body Shop, Forest Essentials, Packaging Design, Content Analysis
Field Computer > Design
Published In Volume 7, Issue 4, July-August 2025
Published On 2025-07-17
DOI https://doi.org/10.36948/ijfmr.2025.v07i04.51295
Short DOI https://doi.org/g9tz6n

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