Judges Report
Once again, the Southern Cross Awards Judges were presented with a mountain to climb in the form of judging – over 500 design entries covering a wide range of issues, materials, processes and market categories. What always makes this journey satisfying and valuable for all concerned is the array of creative solutions presented by the students...and this year was no exception.
Our aim as Judges is to look for the development of a creative solution through exploration in the context of the manufacturing limits outlined in the brief. An approach all of us in industry work with on a daily basis.
An observation I’ve personally made from this, my 4th year on the panel, first as Senior Judge, is the way the students have an increased awareness of consumer needs and the potential design solutions this unearths.
This approach was evident in many of the rationales as a way to assist in identifying the gap between what current packages offered the marketplace and the next evolution or revolution that could truly engage the consumer and add value to the user experience.
Many of the briefs leaned towards consideration of the consumer and market needs with less focus on the myriad of technical constraints that we all must wear in industry. The students were left to flex their research and observational skills and begin to explore some creative packaging solutions based on its consumer value. With the excellent support from our sponsors and the technical contacts, many of the students were able to submit a creative design solution whilst still considering a balanced commercial solution within the constraints of their chosen process or material.
Great thanks must be given to the Awards Manager, Jen Salem. Her efforts in engaging 38 institutions nationally, to allow their students the time to explore the wonderful world of packaging, cannot be understated. My warmest thanks also extend to my fellow Judges, who bring to the table a myriad of views and experience, spanning a wide spectrum of educational, technical, design and brand owner backgrounds.
It is not often one can spend an absorbing and tense three days with six fellow peers and still end with an extremely balanced, passionate and inspired group. It makes this judging panel an immense pleasure and honor to be involved in.
Congratulations must go to all those who entered and applied their thinking, methodology and ideas to improve the state of our packaging landscape. In particular, special congratulations to all of the winners for providing us with their superior vision and creativity to the challenges presented. You have heightened our expectations for the future of the
Australian Packaging industry and its ability to make an ever growing impression on a global level.
For those entering the packaging industry, the Southern Cross Awards is the last bastion of unrestrained creativity that you will truly experience. Post these Awards we welcome your energy and ideas to our packaging family - Keep inspired, passionate and dedicated to the cause!
Michael Grima
Senior Judge