Supporting the Leaders of Tomorrow
By Marla Donahue

Amazing. Inspiring. Innovative. These are the words that come to mind when describing the 2006 FPA Student Flexible Packaging Student Design Challenge. In its second year of competition, the Student Design Challenge has garnered tremendous support from the flexible packaging industry and packaging schools from across the United States. Through the competition, students are encouraged to develop a packaging solution that addresses a current packaging issue and advances the use of flexible packaging.

A vast range of flexible packaging ideas were received from students at eight packaging schools including Michigan State University, Rochester Institute of Technology, Indiana State University, University of Wisconsin-Stout, California Polytechnic State University, San Jose State, Murray State University and Clemson University. An unprecedented 65 concept outlines were submitted into the 2006 Challenge! Of the 65 concept outlines entered, the top 20 percent advanced to the prototype/bench sample round of the Student Design Challenge.

From a stand-up pouch for golf balls to a flexible carrying case for wine bottles, the prototypes/bench samples entered into the Challenge catered to consumers with “on-the-go” lifestyles, created new product packaging options and addressed concerns of food safety and protection. The judges of the Student Design Challenge were very “impressed by the caliber” of the entries and meticulously analyzed each of the flexible packaging prototypes. The judges were so amazed by the creative ingenuity of the students that they decided to create a third place prize in addition to the first and second place awards!

The winning entries of the Student Design Challenge were presented at the Flexible Packaging Achievement Awards Dinner, which was held in conjunction with the 2006 FPA Annual Meeting. More than 240 association members and guests gathered for the presentation of the awards.

California Polytechnic State University student Nancy Schueneman was awarded first place in the Student Design Challenge for her development of the aseptic single-serve milk pouch with printed graphics. For her first place win, Nancy received $1,000 from FPA and an expense-paid trip to the 2006 FPA Annual Meeting to receive her award.
“The FPA Student Flexible Packaging Design Challenge was one of the most influential experiences of my education,” commented Nancy. “Through the process of developing the concept outline, designing the prototype/bench sample and producing a flexible package, I know that the flexible packaging industry is something I want to be a part of.”

Student team members Kirstie Grilli, Michelle Hamilton, Cameron Helland, Jared Koler and Leslie Pink, also from California Polytechnic State University were awarded second place for their development of the WonderBread X2 flexible package, which helps to prolong the shelf life of packaged sliced bread. For their winning entry the students were presented with a $500 team prize.

The third place prize of $250 was awarded to Sarah Buelow of Michigan State University for her disposable inhaler prototype/bench sample. An idea that was derived from her own battles with asthma, the inhaler received high marks from the judges and was recognized as a package with a great “universal design that can be utilized in a variety of places and situations.”

The 2007 FPA Student Flexible Packaging Design Challenge Call for Entries will be available in August 2006. To learn more about the Challenge and the FPA Student Leadership Program, contact FPA at (410) 694-0800 or visit the association at www.flexpack.org.

 The Flexible Packaging Association is very proud to have been a part of the budding careers of these packaging students. We thank the flexible packaging industry and packaging schools for their encouragement and support of the future leaders of the flexible packaging industry.