Solent Graphic Design students purposeful packaging wins national success

Seven final-year students from Southampton Solent University's BA (Hons) Graphic Design course have returned from the Starpack Student Awards with a strong set of results, including a gold award.

The awards ceremony, held on 2nd July, saw the students recognised for their work tackling briefs set by brand-leading FMCG companies, design agencies and manufacturers across categories including e-commerce drinks packaging and packaging with purpose beyond the product.

Ash Raine won Gold, while Carmen Yau and Ellie Pennington both won Bronze. Sophie Atkins won the sponsor runner-up award, and Tilly Elder, Flynn Budd and Shivani Kumar each received Participant awards, with all seven students recognised for the quality and creativity of their submissions.

Chris Venables, Senior Lecturer in Visual Communication at Solent, said: "This is the second consecutive year that our students have achieved success in the Starpack Student Awards, demonstrating the strength of their creativity, commitment and professionalism.

“We are incredibly proud of all of our award-winning students. Their success reflects not only the originality of their concepts but also the dedication and hard work invested throughout the design process. Their submissions demonstrated a sophisticated understanding of surface design, material selection and manufacturing, resulting in solutions that were both creative and commercially relevant."

The awards are an important opportunity for students to put their creativity and talent in front of future employers, giving them a platform to present their ideas to an industry constantly seeking the next generation of creative talent. By working to live industry briefs, Solent students gain portfolio-ready, professionally relevant experience that reflects the demands of the sector.