Success at the WPO WorldStar Global Packaging Awards 2024
A total of 11 BSc (Hons) Product Design students were recognised at this year’s WPO WorldStar Global Packaging Awards collecting 14 awards in total across multiple categories.
The WPO WorldStar Global Packaging Awards competition (https://worldstarstudent.org/) is designed to encourage and show the talents of students as well as new and innovative ideas and thinking in the field of packaging. Through the publicity of WPO's global publications and website, student winners are provided the opportunity to gain professional acknowledgment and entrance into a career as a packaging professional. This competition is open to students enrolled in a collegiate-level design program or packaging engineering program (undergraduate or graduate) anywhere in the world who have already won an award at a national/multi-national competition.
BSc (Hons) Product Design students who were successful in the 2023 Starpack Students competition were invited to take part in the WPO WorldStar Global Packaging Awards competition. For the 2024 awards, 253 students from over 25 countries from around the world entered the competition and were assessed in several categories ranging from Marketing Appeal, Sustainability, Packaging that Saves Food, Best in Beverages, Best in Food, Best in Household Products, Health & Personal Care and Miscellaneous Packaging.
During the competition, students were challenged to communicate the potential benefit of their design packaging solution whilst being assess on the degree of innovation, sales appeal/graphical appearance, sustainability, ease of processing/manufacturing, functionality, efficiency and overall impression.
In total eleven NTU students won 14 awards across multiple categories including a Silver Award In ‘Saves Food’ Packaging Category, a Silver Award In ‘Beverages’ Packaging Category a Bronze Award In ‘Miscellaneous’ Packaging Category. In addition, NTU received the highest number of awards out of all of the UK institutions in the competition.
Dr Luke Siena, Senior Lecturer in Product Design, who led the students through their projects/entries, said: "The WPO WorldStar Global Packaging Awards competition allows our students the opportunity to compete against not only the top talents in the UK but also with outstanding students and teams globally. The competition judges have yet again acknowledged the exceptional quality of our students' design work, with some truly impressive pieces of packaging design being produced.
The recognition that our students have received through these awards is once again a testament to their hard work and attention to detail within their design process. We would like to thank the World Packaging Organisation and the organizers of the awards, for giving our students the opportunity to participate in this competition and for once again acknowledging the excellence of our BSc Product Design students."
BSc Product Design course leader Dr Joseph Stewart added: "It’s great to see our students continue to receive accolades at an international level. These awards are testament to students’ unwavering dedication.”
Speaking about his experience taking part, James Albosh who won the silver medal for the ‘Saves Food’ Packaging Category said: “Kahaan is an all-metal packaging designed to eliminate multi-material packaging and the excessive waste produced by ready meals. Made of aluminium 5050 the packaging is intended to be refilled in stores to prolong the lifespan which is why the packaging uses a material that can match that lifespan. To counteracts the fact the design can't be microwaved the packaging is designed to be like a mini pan to provide a niche method of meal preparation”.
Danny Jarvis, who was awarded the joint silver medal award in the ‘Beverages’ Packaging Category said: “I am pleased to say that I have been awarded bronze in the miscellaneous category. The fundamental idea of sustainability forms the foundation of the Hot Wheels box I created for the competition. This design is made from 100% corrugated cardboard with the main feature being displayed as the child opens the box revealing a downhill racetrack.
Cameron Black who was awarded the bronze medal award in the ‘Beverages’ Packaging Category said: “I am pleased to say that I have been awarded bronze in the miscellaneous category. The fundamental idea of sustainability forms the foundation of the Hot Wheels box I created for the competition. This design is made from 100% corrugated cardboard with the main feature being displayed as the child opens the box revealing a downhill racetrack. This concept came about through lots of ideation and market research resulting in a compact 5 car carrier with a secondary use adding a play factor to the packaging.
Congratulations to all the students recognised in this years’ competition:
Silver Award In ‘Saves Food’ Packaging Category: James Albosh
Joint Silver Award In ‘Beverages’ Packaging Category: Danny Jarvis
Bronze Award In ‘Miscellaneous’ Packaging Category: Cameron Black
Finalist Certificates: James Albosh, John Barrett, Cameron Black, Angelus Collins, Lois Darling, Zachary Davidson, Danny Jarvis, Gene Keng, Charlie Marchini, Sam Palmer & Cameron Sandy.