POPAI Student Design Awards 2015

The annual POPAI Student Design Award recognises the very best in young P-O-P creative design.

  This year, the awards attracted an impressive 70 entries from 12 different universities. Jessica Bonello and Heather Williams from Southampton Solent University and Phil Willan, Kate Fenton and Daniel Hollyoake from the University of Derby were selected as the 5 finalists selected to attend a Dragons’ Den style morning on Wednesday 8th July at Hamilton House, London, where they presented their design to a panel of 3 judges all who are industry professionals from Unilever, Omnetis and Inspirepac.  

Each student had a maximum of 5 minutes to present their design to the judges; Some decided to bring along models of their designs to help show their passion and understanding of their concept. Afterwards they received questioning from the judges about aspects of the design. The Students then had the opportunity during lunch to talk to the judges and ask questions about the industry before the winners were announced  

The judges found it extremely difficult to decide on a winner and said each design could go into the industry. The Winner received a £1000 cheque and an invitation to the POPAI Awards Gala Dinner 2015. 2nd place received £250 and everyone received a POPAI Goody bag.  

The winning design by Kate Fenton, a student at University of Derby, was chosen for its considered approach to the brief and high level of creative detail.

"The finalists’ presentations and designs were of an exceptional standard with the judges struggling to select a winner," says Chris Hayward of Omnetis, our volunteer education head who organised the awards. "Kate’s passion for the industry was clear through the research she had carried out and her presentation showed the development of her initial concept."  

A big thank you to all our Student Design Awards finalists.  

To find out a bit more about the finalists experiences of the awards go and have a look at the finalist top tips.