IOP: The Packaging Society is calling for a better quality entry from UK art and design college students in the Student Starpack Awards 2009. European colleges have been stealing a march on the Brits in the Student Starpack Awards, it warns, with the Finns sweeping the board in 2007 and 2008.
It says the UK needs fresh new design talent to join businesses throughout the packaging chain, as proved by the sponsorship from such ‘blue chip’ names as Nestlé, Tesco, M & S, Kraft, Iceland, Britvic and Hasbro. The organisation is undertaking a series of visits to leading universities and colleges to encourage students and lecturers not to miss out on the enormous possibilities offered by a career in packaging design.
“We have to sell into UK colleges to create an understanding of just how vibrant and exciting the brand design and packaging sector can be,” says Nick Farrow, managing director, Farrows Design and a member of the student judging panel.
According to IOP: The Packaging Society, students winning Gold, Silver, Bronze or a sponsor’s Starpack Award have a head start for a career in packaging and brand design through an array of prizes donated by sponsoring companies. For example, Tesco offers work experience with one of its design agencies and the opportunity to find out how the UK’s leading retailer achieves fitness for purpose and design that creates maximum shelf impact.
The Schools Starpack Awards 2009 will focus on originality, overall aesthetics and quality of portfolio; with an emphasis on leadership by course tutors. While the commercial/manufacturing viability of an idea is still important, the IOP: The Packaging Society prefers to concentrate on innovation at this stage in a student’s development.
Closing date for entries to the Student and Schools Starpack Awards is February 25, 2009. The awards will be presented on May 21, 2009, alongside the Starpack Summit and Packaging Industry Awards dinner in London.
