When it comes to wrapping, most people aim for things to just “look nice.” That is the minimum standard. Moving beyond that, the gap between simple and advanced wrapping techniques is style. A style is what defines your work and makes it instantly recognizable the moment someone sees it.
Defining Style
Style is defined as the method through which you approach design in your wrapping. The style you choose impacts how you choose your colors, how you tie ribbons, your favorite materials, and how you create balance between simplicity and embellishment.
Maybe you like to keep things simple by using fewer colors, minimal design, and clean lines. Or maybe you like to layer textures, mix colors, and have a design that is filled with more decorations. The goal is not to do one right or one wrong. It is to develop your style to be strong so that there is logic and order that comes through.
Look Within
To build a style, you have to first know the things you are most drawn to and like. Some of us like wrapping to look exactly like a trend. However, if you look back and you are copying other wrapping, it will not be unique to you. Start noticing things that you tend to create naturally when you do your work.
Do you lean more towards soft shapes or structured shapes? Does your design lean toward the symmetrical or more of the asymmetrical? Is your color scheme very rich or more of the neutral tones? Those details are what shape your design identity.
Simplicity Creates Identity
Simplicity creates strong identity is one of the strongest design rules when looking at gift wrapping. It is easy to fill your design up with so many elements that you lose that identity in the clutter and you become less clear about what makes you distinct from anyone else. Your design is stronger if you can keep those few elements consistent. Your style will start to feel familiar if you use a specific type of ribbon or you only use certain colors or you tie it a certain way, because the details you pick and choose will feel recognizable.
Materials
The materials that you choose will also shape your style. Using a lot of kraft paper will give an organic, crafty look while flat paper feels more modern. A shiny paper or some textured paper will make a design stand out more.
There are times when you will lean toward a specific palette or material because it suits your aesthetic. This does not mean you limit yourself; it means you become specific and narrow what you use. Your materials make up a part of the style you develop.
How to Maintain Consistency
Developing your style comes from consistent practice. As you wrap over time, you will notice that certain decisions are more deliberate and your work begins to feel more like yours. You do not necessarily start off wrapping with intention, but as you do it over and over you will start to notice patterns within it and will start thinking of ways to make it more intentional. At first, you have no idea what you are doing but after a while it will come more natural to you to understand and feel what looks and doesn’t look good when it comes to wrapping. Eventually, wrapping becomes more about the systems of your choices and not just a specific element of it.
Wrapping Up
Your style is not built in one night; it develops naturally. When that time finally comes and you do not have to look at a sample to see what yours is like, you can be sure you will be known by your own style. Your work will not just be wrapped; your gift wrapping will be your own.