SCA packaging says that for its 2008 Design Challenge, the company is looking to students, schools and other non-professional designers for new thinking on packaging that can benefit the entire chocolate production chain.
A group spokesperson told ConfectioneryNews.com that it will use the competition to find designs that are innovative both in terms of function and aesthetics, while at the same time addressing sustainability concerns of the industry.
“We are at this point material neutral, but we encourage the participants to think wisely in their choice,” the spokesperson stated.
The group said that had opted to focus on chocolate bars in an attempt to inject a sense of fun into the competition, while at the same time, honoring Belgium’s reputation as a European haven for chocoholics.
Concept success
Successful designs will be the concepts that can most benefit manufacturers, warehouse staff, retailers and the consumer, SCA claims. Five designs from the competition will be short listed by the group for development and fine tuning with SCA staff.
The winning designers will then receive €3,000 as well as an internship at the company’s packaging centre in Brussels or other design operations across Europe, according to SCA.
Industry demand
SCA says that it already provides a number of packaging and casing products to major confectioners around the world, though added that it was not collaborating with any manufacturers as yet over potential winning designs.
The company added that as part of the competition, any designs that go on to be produced will be owned by the company itself, though it would be in talks with creators over the concepts.
“We believe in a open dialogue together with the creators,” the spokesperson said. “We are welcoming any designs and are sure that we will be able to make the successful ones [available] to our partners.”
Deadlines for submissions are 5 December 2008.
More information on submitting designs to the competition can be found by clicking here.