Product Design students excel at the Student Starpack Awards

Ten of Ravensbourne's BA (Hons) Product Design students have been recognised at this year’s Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining (IOM3) Student Starpack Awards, with two receiving Gold Awards for their innovative packaging solutions.

Established in 1964, the awards are open to a wide range of courses, some focused on graphic practices, others concerned with product design as well as those courses with an emphasis on materials and technology. The annual competition challenges students to "break the rules with off-the-wall creativity", as they respond to creative briefs set by industry organisations.

Holly Grounds was awarded Gold and Graphic Packaging International Sponsor Award for her ‘Steam Pods’ entry to the ‘Ready, Steady, Reduce’ category. Her design is made from the eco-friendly material cartonboard, allowing users to steam dumplings in the microwave. Water in the base of the packaging is heated, creating steam which rises through holes to cook the dumplings in just four minutes.

Commenting, Holly said, "I was thrilled to win the gold and sponsors award at Starpack, I really wasn’t expecting it. The prize of £500 and an internship with Graphic Packaging International was certainly a bonus!”

Francesca Kristnen was also recognised with a gold award for her ‘Grey Goose Vodka on Ice’ packaging design for the Premium Alcohol Packaging category sponsored by RPC Group — a leading global design and engineering company in plastic products. Her packaging design aimed to enhance the drinking experience by transforming into an ice cooler, allowing consumers to keep their drinks chilled.

Francesca said, “I wanted to design plastic packaging which you want to keep. I feel honoured to win a Gold Award and feel it has given me a new level of confidence and prepared me well for the future.”

Nadine Bennett, Co-Course Leader for BA (Hons) Product Design added, “Congratulations to all our students who made submissions to this year’s Starpack Awards — I’m thrilled to see ten of our students recognised and Holly and Francesca receive Gold Awards from the judges. They provided innovative and distinctive interpretations of this year’s briefs, qualities which will stand them in good stead in their future careers.”

Find the full list of students recognised at the awards below:

Holly Grounds

Gold Award and Graphic Packaging International Sponsor Award — Ready, Steady, Reduce

Francesca Kristnen

Gold Award — Premium Alcohol Packaging

Jennifer Chu

Silver Award — Family Night In

Lorenzo Daquipil

Silver Award — Premium Alcohol Packaging

Charley Middleton

SIlver Award — Ready, Steady, Reduce

Szymon Koprowski

Silver Award — Ready, Steady, Reduce

Kerrie Ly

Bronze Award — Premium Alcohol Packaging

Abeil Tseggay

Bronze Award — Ready, Steady, Reduce

Jericho Cauilan

Highly Commended — Ready, Steady, Reduce

Jonathan Cando Jurado

Highly Commended — Premium Alcohol Packaging