University of Staffordshire students have scooped awards for chocolate packaging designs with a sustainable twist
It was really eye-opening working towards a specific brief and having a checklist of deliverables to present at the end of it.
With prizes ranging from highly commended to gold, nine BA (Hons) Graphic Design and BA (Hons) Illustration students have been recognised by Brief Cases.
The annual competition aims to bridge the gap between academia and industry by setting students industry briefs, which address skills gaps and tackle emerging issues.
This year, second year students at University of Staffordshire were challenged to create a piece of confectionary packaging presented as a special edition gift pack.
Their designs had to stand out on the shelf and reflect luxury in the branding, while incorporating sustainability throughout.
Graphic Design student Abbie Lyndon and Illustration student Erin Brooke both picked up gold awards.
Abbie’s Love Letters concept encourages Gen Z to reconnect offline by sending a personal letter alongside a gift of chocolate.
Abbie, now in her final year, said: “It was really eye-opening working towards a specific brief and having a checklist of deliverables to present at the end of it.
“We’d never done packaging before, so it was interesting to learn how to design a physical mock-up and develop new skills. I used the screenprinting room, did silver press foiling and created vinyl labels for the packaging. That’s something I’ve never done before.”
Love Letters was inspired by concerns about loneliness among young people and the impact of spending time online.
“Letter writing has become a lost art, which no-one really seems to do anymore. So, I combined that idea with luxury chocolate. You write a letter to your friend, seal it in with the chocolate, and then post it to them. If you’re sending chocolates for Valentine’s Day or for a birthday, including a handwritten note makes it much more personal.
“It feels great to win gold! I worked really hard on it, so it’s nice that paid off. I also got some good feedback which was really helpful.”
Fellow gold winner Erin’s project Mile & Moss is a luxury dark chocolate truffle collection which highlights the importance of protecting wildlife and natural habitats.
“I wanted the packaging to feel like more than just a gift. I wanted it to tell a story and encourage consumers to think about the environment, so I connected the collection to WWF UK,” explained Erin. “Sustainability was an important part of the concept, therefore I explored Antalis paper samples, which are sustainably sourced and recycled as well as being FSC standard.”
“Working to a live industry brief has been a valuable experience and insight into the industry world. It challenged me to think wider and encouraged experimentation.”
Erin added: “Winning a gold award feels amazing, especially knowing that my work has been judged by industry professionals. As a student, you spend so much time developing, questioning, and refining your ideas, so to have that work recognised at this level is extremely rewarding.”
The awards were judged by a panel of industry and university professionals, including representatives from packaging specialist Antalis and chocolate manufacturer Kinnerton Chocolate.
Other students recognised include silver award winners Kate Forrester and Hannah Thorley, and Sorren Nichol who received bronze. Charlotte Brown, Jake Clapham, Libby Bracknall and Luke Blench were also highly commended.
The winners have been invited to visit the Antalis Smart Packaging showroom in Leicester to learn more about packaging innovation, materials, print and production processes.
Brian Webb, of Webb & Webb Design Ltd and chair of the judging panel, said: “I was struck by how competent the overall standard was, with real wit and confidence coming through in the strongest entries. It’s genuinely encouraging to see this level of thinking coming through from students this early in their careers.”
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