In March, the Design and Technology Department at Dulwich College Suzhou entered eight of its very best designers into the UK StarPack Awards, the UK body that promotes package design technology and operates the prestigious award scheme that is open to all British schools (including international schools).
Five of the winning students were Year 9 pupils who had taken part in The Two Day Design challenge and the other was a Year 11 student who had decided to take on an extra after school Design Challenge. The StarPack Awards, in their 14th Year, are designed to encourage school pupils to think about pursuing careers in packaging design. The competition briefs provide excellent opportunities for senior school students to take part in a range of challenging realistic design scenarios.
Dulwich students did amazingly well in this presitigious competition, competing against some much older students. Gillian Chu in Year 10 was extremely successful in achieving not only a Gold Award for her brief but also best portfolio which the judges described as ʺa beautiful and read worthy folio showing first class ideas and development of a modular productʺ. Her brief was to design an innovative and multifunctional collection receptacle for collecting waste packaging, together with an awareness logo or symbol. She will benefit from a cash award of ¥1500.
Nicole Crichton in Year 9 has much to be proud of too, picking up the Silver Award for what the judges said was, ʺA very thorough design project, well executed and great use of ICTʺ.
Alice Oh also in Year 9, was awarded the Bronze Award in her brief for “The consideration of supply chain and shelf stacking throughout the design workʺ.
Three more students: Se In Kim, Lin Danielson and Yeon Ji Song also received Highly Commended awards and a stream of complements from the judges. Their brief was to design and model a Ribena (Juice) bottle or container that replaces the current tetra carton with a straw. It had to be purposely targeted at being used in children’s packed lunch boxes.
In July there will be a formal presentation ceremony at Carlton House Terrace in London where six of the young designers will be honoured officially and prizes awarded.
