Since the emergence of the first commercial mobile phone in 1983, mobile phone adoption rates have grown exponentially. Around 14 billion people in the world now own mobile devices. The packaging considerations for mobile phones includes packaging engineering, the protection of the mobile phone from any damage in the distribution chain, and packaging design, the visual appearance and feel of the packaging for marketing and branding purposes. The whole should give the buyer a sensory experience that strengthens the brand.
The Brief
Design and develop a metal pack for a mobile phone and its accessories. A fictitious brand should be used. The pack should have a reuse function. Be creative and original, how would Q package a phone for James Bond? It wouldn’t just be a box! Research and exploit the excellent physical and decorative options metal has to offer. Judges will be looking for a clear understanding of metal packaging manufacturing principles. Pack design and functionality should be clearly presented on well laid out development boards and photos or illustrations of the model showcasing the final design should be submitted.
Points to consider
- The focus should be on the metal pack rather than the contents
- Decorative possibilities of metal ie. high quality graphics and print, print finishes, shaping, embossing and debossing
- Functionality of the pack with innovative and creative branding
- Shelf impact and consumer appeal
- Embrace the purchaser’s anticipation in opening the pack
- Suitability of the pack for after use
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
The pack must be made predominantly of tinplate and/or aluminium. You do not need to specify the thickness of the metal. For the purposes of a model any appropriate materials may be used to represent metal. However, the judges will expect to see that metal packaging manufacturing principles have been considered in your design.
Click here for more inspiration
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.
In addition:
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Individual briefs may have specific conditions required by the sponsors. Please check each brief description carefully for full details.
Brief C Judges
Administration Manager, MPMA
Debbie Clements
Administration Manager, MPMA
Debbie Clements
Debbie has worked in the metal packaging industry for over 35 years and manages administration, accounts, enquiries, communications and events for the Metal Packaging Manufacturers Association.
Manager, Steel Packaging Recycling
Nicola Jones
Manager, Steel Packaging Recycling
Nicola Jones
Nicola Jones is Tata Steel in Europe’s Manager of Packaging Recycling. Having joined the company when it was British Steel in 1999, Nicola has spent the majority of her career working within the Packaging Recycling Department of the UK’s only remaining tinplating works in Trostre, South Wales. Nicola works with the packaging industry to raise the profile of sustainable steel packaging and its recycling credentials.
- Twitter:
- @N1cola_Jones
- Website:
- www.tatasteeleurope.com
- LinkedIn:
- nicola-jones-2ab8b417
Founder & Managing Director, Twelve Communications Ltd.
Graham Smith
Founder & Managing Director, Twelve Communications Ltd.
Graham Smith
Graham has worked with the Metal Packaging Manufacturers Association (MPMA) for some thirty years and in 1996 founded Twelve PR, an award winning communications agency which works across education, environmental and waste sectors. In addition to MPMA, Twelve’s clients include Canned Food UK, Cawleys Waste Management, Tata Steel, Roberts Metal Packaging, and William Say & Co.
- LinkedIn:
- grahamcsmith
Designer-Product, Packaging & Graphic, Eviosys
Corrina Korrubel
Designer-Product, Packaging & Graphic, Eviosys
Corrina Korrubel
Educated in Cape town, South Africa, Corrina lectured Graphic Design at CPUT (Cape Peninsula University of Technology) which she truly loved. Corrina also successfully ran her own freelance design business and contracted to agencies and design studios before moving to the UK in 2002. Having majored in Packaging Design at college, Corrina was fortunate enough to be recruited by CROWN to work in their design facility where she has been for 16 years. Design is in her blood and her love for the diversity of packaging is what inspires her daily.
- LinkedIn:
- corrinakorrubel
Director & Chief Executive, Metal Packaging Manufacturers Association
Jason Galley
Director & Chief Executive, Metal Packaging Manufacturers Association
Jason Galley
Jason joined MPMA in 2023, beginning his career as a metallurgist at Carnaud Metal Box (now Crown Holdings Inc) and holding subsequent senior positions at companies including American National Can, Alcan Packaging, Aerocan, as well as 12 years at Ball Corporation, Jason brings 33 years’ industry experience in the metal packaging industry. He has worked across many steel and aluminium packaging sectors including beverage, food, pharmaceutical, household, and personal care.
Designer – Product Packaging & Graphics, Eviosys
Mark Hurst
Designer – Product Packaging & Graphics, Eviosys
Mark Hurst
Mark trained as a Graphic Designer and has over 40 years' experience in Packaging design.
He started his career in Injection Moulded plastics, for Lawson Mardon and after 5 years freelancing, Mark Joined CarnaudMetalbox in 1994 designing promotional metal packaging.
30 years later, now re-branded as Eviosys, he is still as passionate about creating graphics and structural designs, that are both functional and aesthetically pleasing.
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.