The 2003 Student Starpack and Schools Starpack annual award ceremony witnessed almost 70 award winners announced at the National Space Centre, Leicester.
Chosen from over 400 entrants in both the Schools and Student categories, judges were faced recently with the difficult decision of choosing award winners from an enormous number of outstanding entries.
John Webb-Jenkins, chief executive of the Institute of Packaging commented: “The quality of entries we’ve received in this year’s competition has been magnificent. The obvious flair and talent of the entrants is encouraging, particularly for an industry which is so dynamic and continually changing.
“Designers must understand the many complex aspects of the total packaging solution, from protection through to consumer appeal. I’m delighted that the Student and Schools Starpack competitions continue to increase the popularity of packaging amongst the designers of the future, while at the same time boost their confidence and overall awareness of the industry.”
Five briefs were open to undergraduates in the student competition and successful entrants were required to demonstrate their development process from their original conceptual idea to the design of their final pack. The five briefs were packaging futures, 2D and 3D branding, toiletries, metals and cartonboard.
Six gold stars, 10 silver stars, 16 bronze stars and six commended were awarded in the student competition, in addition to 13 sponsored awards. Securing gold stars were Stephanie Shaw (Sheffield Hallan University), Jessica Ford (Norwich School of Art & Design), Karine Sears (Swindon College), Daniel Smith (Sheffield Hallam University), Abi Morgan (Surrey Institute of Art & Design) and Laura Hollis (Norwich School of Art & Design), but claiming the best in show award from The Institute of Packaging was Stephanie Shaw, who gave a brief presentation at the ceremony about her innovative design for a new brand of liqueur targeted at young professionals.
Aimed at key stages three and four, the schools competition is divided into two categories: Cereal Killer, for key stage three and below, where entrants were asked to design a breakfast kit that consists of either a single unit or a variety pack that captured the imagination of the ‘teen’ market; and Fun Kam for key stage four and AS level where entrants were asked to design a kit consisting of a digital camera, instructions booklet, a CD and digital cards. The pack needed to target the young and funky market with eye-catching graphics to help convey the difference of the product.
Over both categories of the schools competition eight gold stars, eight silver stars, nine bronze stars and four commended were awarded, as well as seven sponsored awards.