Packaging materials design is related to economic and social development. At the same time, it also reflects human aesthetic and emotional expression. With the continuous maturity of consumer psychology, people have a new understanding of packaging design, and the past packaging materials design concepts can no longer meet the various needs of customers. As is known, packaging plays a very important role in promoting products to customers. Therefore, attractive packaging materials design is essential. In this work, the developing history of packing materials design was reviewed in detail. Both the advantages and disadvantages of the packing materials were discussed. Packaging materials experienced the process from paper, plastic, and metal to composite materials. The functions of packaging materials have gone from single to comprehensive. Driven by the commercialization of fierce competition, although humans have made great achievements in packaging material design, there is still greater room for development in packaging material design to meet the needs of future society. For a long time from now to the future, the balance between practicality and aesthetics will still be the basic principle of material packaging design. In addition, the human experience, such as the friction coefficient of packaging materials, has begun to be considered. The artistic combination of materials, shapes, colors, and characters combined with artificial intelligence has gradually become the frontier of packaging material design. By learning from nature, it can be concluded that smart packaging, eco-friendly and sustainable development in packaging materials design combining practicality and aesthetics are the developing trend for the future.