This paper is to explore the development direction of graphic elements in contemporary packaging design, to give thoughts and inspiration to design practice, and to improve the quality of packaging design. Firstly, the meaning and characteristics of graphic elements in packaging design were summarized, and then the development direction of graphic expression was discussed, including nationalization, regionalization, flattening, etc., and these development directions were specifically analyzed in combination with practical works. Graphics is an important element of packaging design. With the development of the times and the changes of packaging design, graphic performance also presents a new direction, which requires designers to pay full attention to and actively comply with these development directions, so as to ensure that the design keeps pace with the times and contribute to the development of packaging design while being loved by contemporary people.