DBA product contest looks to the future

The Design Business Association has launched its fourth Product Challenge competition, with the focus this time on structural packaging design.

The competition briefs members to predict the nature of structural packaging in 2005 by looking at factors such as technological innovation, materials and lifestyle.

The challenge comes after research conducted in the US, which forecast that fridges could soon be filled with “intelligent” or “talking” cartons.

“According to research carried out by the American Paperboard and Packaging Council, temperature and freshness sensors, pilferage protection, holographics and talking cartons are some of the things to come,” says a DBA spokeswoman.

The challenge is open to DBA members from all disciplines. The deadline for outlining ideas in brief is 1 September.

Some 50 consultancies working in 17 categories have been shortlisted for this year’s Design Effectiveness Awards, organised by the DBA.

Shortlisted design groups include last year’s Grand Prix winner The Jenkins Group, plus Landor, Seymour Powell, Lewis Moberly, Michael Peters Limited, Newell and Sorrell, The Partners, Imagination, Siegel & Gale, Design Bridge, Coley Porter Bell, Lloyd Northover Citigate, CDT Design and Pentagram.