Finland’s Lahti Institute of Design packaging and brand design department wins the Students Starpack Awards based in the UK for the second year running. Institute of Packaging, European Packaging Design Awards allowed students from Finland to compete and beat of some of the leading design institutions in the UK to be known as the leading packaging design educator / departments 2008. A list of brand owners and retailers par excellence sponsored the Student Starpack.
IOP’s Press release:
Design Student Excel – But where have all the British gone?
Awards 2008 organised by IOP: The Packaging Society, which were presented at an award ceremony held at IOM3’s* offices in central London on May 22. As environmental and consumer issues grab the headlines the likes of Tesco, Marks & Spencer, Britvic Soft Drinks, Nestlé and WRAP were keen to attract the cream of the design students to a career in packaging; and this they certainly did.
However, it was the quality of overseas entries that shone out against those from the UK, with Lahti Institute of Design, Finland, as in 2007 taking the majority of the top prizes. This year’s competition saw 250 entries, a slight increase on numbers in 2007, spread across the eleven briefs, written and sponsored by major players in the packaging industry.
This year’s competition saw 250 entries, a slight increase on numbers in 2007, spread across the eleven briefs, written and sponsored by major players in the packaging industry.
Judges were looking for students who are capable of designing packs that are not only looking for attractive graphics, but which also meet the functional requirements and can be produced cost-effectively and focused on environmental issues.
Anni Nykänen, Lahti Institute of Design, who took Best in Show; plus a Gold Star and the Marks & Spencer / Korsnas Frovi Sponsored Award for the best Packaging Solution for Children’s Food. Lynch described the overall winner as “world class”. All the judges agreed, with Anni’s popcorn pack described as a “fabulous concept” that was practical, innovative and very well presented.
Anni was also part of the winning team from Lahti Institute of Design that for the second year running walked away with the IOP: The Packaging Society’s Eric Dickens Memorial Award which is presented to the college which has most effectively promoted education in packaging and in recognition of the high quality of packaging design produced by the college.
Lahti took 28 awards – four Gold Stars, nine Silver Stars, two Bronze Stars, five commended certificate, plus seven sponsored awards and Best in Show.
“The UK’s design students certainly have something to aspire to,” said the judges.
