Introduction
Quality bottled drinks, such as whisky, brandy and champagne, are often bought as gifts at Christmas, for special occasions or in duty free shops and come in spectacularly designed secondary packs. Many of the packs are kept long after consumption of the contents for alternative uses or just because they are stunning pieces.
The Brief
Develop a new, exciting and beautiful pack for a fictitious Champagne or Sparkling Wine brand targeting the quality retail gift sector. You will need to develop the secondary metal pack and creative branding. The pack should have real shelf appeal and showcase what can be done with metal.
Pack design should be clearly presented on well laid out development boards and photos or illustrations showcasing the final design should be submitted.
The focus is the metal pack rather than the contents.
Points to consider
The great possibilities in metal:
- Shaping
- High quality graphics
- Textures
- Embossing, debossing, micro embossing
- Perforations
- Print finishes
- Variety of opening and closing options
- Creative branding to enhance shelf impact and consumer appeal.
While a physical mock-up is not essential, the pack and its functionality should be clearly presented on supporting concept boards.The judges will be looking in particular for an understanding of what can be realistically achieved with metal packaging, and an appreciation of how retailers can present the product to consumers.
Materials to be used
These type of speciality packs are usually made of tinplate, you do not need to specify the thickness of the metal. Materials other than metal should not be used in the design.
Metal is easily recycled, a permanent material, infinitely recyclable without loss of quality, making metal packaging a key contributor to the circular economy.
Submission Details
Online registration must include upload of the developments boards and photographic evidence of the final model
The development boards (uploaded as a single PDF document) need to include the following:
- A3 Research Board
- A3 Design Exploration Board
- Net of Recommended Design Solution
The photographic evidence should:
- Showcase the front, back and sides of the model
- Be shot against a white background, and in focus. These images will be used in the Starpack Competition Book and may be used for additional promotion.
- A maximum of 4 images to be uploaded
- For students who are unable to supply a final model, 3D renderings and drawings are accepted.
Judging Criteria
What the judges are looking for:
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Originality and aesthetic qualities of the design, with consideration to commercial viability.
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How the pack delivers the benefits to consumers and that the functionality has been considered as much as the branding.
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The quality of portfolio, which must include evidence of research and the development of the design.
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Designs which demonstrate awareness of environmental issues, through economic use of the material and recyclability.
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Please also check out our past winners to see the standard of work required for winning entries.
Prize
The winning design will receive a £600 cash prize, courtesy of the sponsors.
Prizes may be award to runner-up designs at the judges' discretion.
Trophies will be presented to Gold, Silver and Bronze entries.
Highly Commended entries will receive a certificate.
About The Metal Packaging Manufacturers Association
The Metal Packaging Manufacturers Association is the lead voice of the UK metal packaging industry with direct links into a European market employing 177,000 people across 760 companies producing over 98 billion containers each year. The Association supports and represents members’ interests on industry matters related to operational, regulatory and environmental issues and promotes the benefits of metal packaging and the sustainable attributes of steel and aluminium through education programmes, industry awards and relevant communication channels.
Contact Details
On request, MPMA will provide, in person, a lecture/session for students and tutors on designing and manufacturing in metal.
For guidance with the brief contact Debbie Clements
tel. +44 (0) 1273 585833
Useful Links
Visit www.mpma.org.uk for guidance and helpful videos.
For inspiration see: https://uk.pinterest.com/metalpackuk/
For how speciality packs are made see: www.mpma.org.uk/information/howcans-are-made/
For inspiration (including bottle samples) see: uk.pinterest.com/metalpackuk/
On request, MPMA will provide, in person, or online a lecture/session for students and tutors on designing and manufacturing in metal.