We would like you to design a packaging product for a fictional e-commerce clothing brand which is based in the UK, with customers across Europe and the USA. The brand is formal or occasional wear for men or women and you are free to choose whether the company is a luxury brand or a more affordable option.
Occasion wear across the budget ranges needs to arrive uncreased and may incorporate elements such as structured tailoring or be made from delicate materials such as silk or leather. The company is looking for ways to improve the environmental compliance costs, and to create a memorable and delightful experience for customers.
The Brief
To design and develop packaging for a purely e-commerce fashion brand. The packaging must be able to withstand the UK postal system, protecting the garments inside and ensuring that they arrive with the customer with as little creasing as possible and ready to wear. The packaging should delight the customer and create a joyful unboxing experience.
We would like you to create a fictitious brand which reflects the e-commerce clothing market, and the branding should be incorporated into the packaging design.
Environmental legislation will play a key role in the designs of the future. Under new Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for Packaging Legislation, brands will be responsible for paying for the collection and disposal of waste packaging. Compliance fees are set to rise hugely, and non-recyclable or packaging which is difficult to recycle will be charged at a higher rate (known as eco-modulation). Students should consider this when choosing materials and the manufacturing processes of the packaging.
In line with this, the brand is looking to reduce weight and minimise the environmental impacts of its packaging, so it is important to be mindful of overuse of materials in order to reduce waste.
We would also like you to consider the best location for a QR code to display Digital Product Password (DPP)* information, although we do not expect you to create a DPP for this project.
*The DPP initiative is part of the proposed Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation and one of the key actions under the Circular Economy Action Plan (CEAP).
Points to consider
- Recyclability of packaging.
- Customer appeal.
- Recycled content.
- Cost of materials.
- Environmental impact in the manufacturing of the packaging (carbon and water).
- Tamper-proof but easy to open for the customer.
- Suitability of the pack should the customer wish to return the item.
- Labelling (recycling information on the pack, etc.).
- Responsibly sourcing and credibility.
Materials to be used
- Paper
- Plastic
More than one material is allowed.
Entry Guidelines
Submission Details
Entries must include uploads of the developments boards
- No model required.
- To visualise the texture/inclusion on how you believe it should look/feel.
- Access to the Winter & Company UK Ltd on the website will help to visualise the final outcome.
The 4 A3 development boards uploaded as a single PDF document should include the following:
- Research board
- Design exploration board
- Net of recommended design solution.
Development boards must not show the entrant’s name or university/college.
Dates & Conditions
- The project names submitted at the time of entry will be printed as typed, if there are any errors and certificates/trophies need replacing, then the entrant will be liable for these costs.
- If you are not able to attend the ceremony in person or the ceremony becomes virtual, certificates and trophies will be sent by post to the entrants to the mailing address listed in the entry in late June 2025.
- Please make sure you have access to the mailing address past term times. If you are unsure, please enter your home address.
- IOM3 is unable to issue replacements for certificates/trophies sent to wrong addresses.
About the Entry
Judging criteria
Entries will be judged against the following criteria:
- Pack Design: Product and packaging should arrive with customer with no damage and be ready to wear (with as little creasing as possible), to minimise returns.
- Environmental factors: Recyclability of packaging, reasonable volume of material, use of materials/coatings, etc.
- Customer appear: Ease of opening and suitability of repacking should the customer wish to return the item(s).
Prize
Winner: £500.00 cash prize
Runner-up: £100.00 cash prize
IOM3 presents trophies to Gold, Silver and Bronze and certificates to Highly Commended entries.
About Valpak
Valpak is the UK's largest compliance scheme. As well as compliance with government regulations for packaging, waste electrical and electronic equipment, batteries, and textiles, Valpak provides customers with pioneering tools to streamline data protecting and design the packaging of the future.
At 50 million SKUs, Valpak's database on packaging weights is the largest in the UK. This gives the company unique insight into the composition of packaging, which is used by both government and wider industry.
