Libanpack: Packaging Design Matters

Packaging design has become huge in the past few years as companies are realising that good packaging equals increased sales and build customer loyalty.

As brands constantly search for promotional ideas to create impact, connect with consumers and form or firm-up emotional relationships with their customers, it is only the bolder ideas that are getting cut-through. Ideas that need to stand out in store to give the branded product the on-shelf visibility it deserves. Packaging also has a major role to play in developing a brand’s identity. Not only is the design of the packaging important, it’s functionality must also serve a purpose for both the consumer and the shopper.

When Libanpack, the Lebanese Packaging Center, set about the task to launch the Student Starpack competition, they looked to encourage design students to focus on this area of branding, inherent to a brand overall corporate identity.

The event has gained a lot of tractions since its launch seven years ago and has extended to the region with the support of UNIDO in 4 main Arab countries. Indeed, this year, 400 university students from Lebanese, Egyptian, Tunisian and Moroccan leading universities have participated in the contest, which was organised with the support of the Association of Lebanese Industrialists (ALI), and UNIDO (United Nations Industrial Development Organisation).

According to Soha Atallah, Libanpack Director, the competition reinforce the role of Libanpack in spreading and improving the packaging positioning in the Lebanese and Arab industry. Fady Gemayel, President of ALI (Association of Lebanese Industrialists) and President of the Libanpack stated that the competition is an important occasion to unleash the creativity and innovation of Lebanese and Arab Students. He also highlighted the marketing role that packaging is playing to improve the competitiveness of national products.

Christiane Saab, member of the Judging panel of Starpack and Head of Design at Impact BBDO explained to the audience the judging criteria that was adopted to grade the students projects and how winning projects where selected. Top three winners were selected from the four participating countries. The competition was divided into three categories: the visual packaging design category, the structural packaging design category and a new category 'save the food'. Furthermore a prize for creative Packaging design was awarded by Unipak. Three Winners from each participating countries were announced as well as a Pan Arab Winner for the visual and structural category.

June 2016

Winners on stage

Dina Aoun- RHU Debbas Lighting and Electromechanical Contracting Company Winner of Save the Food Prize From Lebanon Dalia Siblini USJ A new package that includes an easytoopen and resealable cover with an opening for easy pouring of flour.