Encouraging innovation through collaboration: a packaging design ...

In this edition of the Spotlight, we hear from Jamnik Packaging Company about its ongoing partnership with the University of Ljubljana’s Faculty of Natural Sciences and Engineering, aiming to give students the chance to move beyond theory and work on real packaging projects for clients.

This year, the project involved Medex, a well-known Slovenian company that produces natural food supplements. Medex gave the students a real business challenge, allowing them to create packaging solutions that not only meet market needs but also follow sustainable practices. This project is a great example of how working together with businesses helps students grow their skills and encourages new ideas.

From theory to practice: the project

Guided by their professors, students were tasked with redesigning the packaging for Medex’s popular product, Bio Gelée Royale Forte. They had to make sure the new packaging followed the company’s branding and sustainability goals, while complying to the limitations of the production process.

To help them understand the process beyond theory, the students visited Jamnik’s production facility. There, they learned about the complexities of packaging production. With help from project coordinator Tanja Sinkovič and packaging technologist Nina Komic, students could combine their creativity with the practical demands of the industry. Their challenge was to design packaging that was not only innovative and eco-friendly but also possible to produce.

Recognizing creativity: the best designs

At the end of the project, students presented their designs to Medex’s team. Three top designs were chosen, with the winning design standing out for its creativity and ability to meet Medex’s strict requirements.

The winners were invited to a five-day summer workshop at Jamnik, where they could further improve their skills and learn more about packaging design.

To acknowledge the students’ hard work, all three top teams entered their designs in the Slovenian Packaging Oscar competition, which celebrates the best packaging innovations. One of the teams was nominated, showing that their work was highly valued, even when compared to professionals in the industry. All three top designs were also displayed at the AGRA Fair in 2024, a well-known event that celebrates innovation in agriculture and food industries.

A successful partnership between industry and universities

This project shows how partnerships between universities and businesses benefit everyone. Students gain real-life experience and the chance to use their knowledge, while companies like Medex get new, creative ideas from the next generation of designers. Medex’s marketing director highlighted that these collaborations fuel creativity and give companies access to future talent.

Supporting sustainable innovation

This ongoing collaboration between Jamnik and the University of Ljubljana shows how important it is to combine academic knowledge with industry expertise. Projects like this help train future leaders in packaging design and contribute to the creation of eco-friendly and innovative solutions that meet today’s consumer needs.

As Tanja Sinkovič from Jamnik explained: “By giving students the opportunity to work on real-world challenges, we’re helping them develop the skills needed to make a big impact in the industry. This collaboration shows that working together creates valuable innovations that benefit both education and business.”

This initiative is a great example of how partnerships between universities and businesses can encourage creativity, support sustainable practices, and drive innovation that benefits everyone.

This content was sponsored by Jamnik.