In 2016, one of my packaging designs was recognised on the global stage through the prestigious Pentawards — the world's leading competition dedicated exclusively to packaging design. The project was featured in an article titled 'Seven Aussie Designs Win Big at Pentawards' by PKN Packaging News, highlighting standout Australian work that achieved international acclaim.
At the time, I was working as a Packaging Designer at Hannapak, a specialist packaging manufacturer known for premium rigid and folding carton solutions. Unlike agency-side conceptual roles, my position was embedded directly within the manufacturing facility. I wasn't just designing for aesthetics — I was engineering solutions that had to function flawlessly on real production lines.
The award-winning project was a cosmetics packaging solution featuring a unique mechanical lifting structure. When the box opened, the internal platform elevated the bottle upward — creating a theatrical reveal moment while maintaining structural integrity and manufacturability. The challenge was balancing visual impact with precision engineering. Every crease, tab, locking mechanism, and tolerance had to be calculated to ensure smooth movement without compromising durability.
Using ArtiosCAD, I developed the structural knifelines from the ground up. This meant translating a creative vision into dielines that could be cut, folded, assembled, and mass-produced efficiently. After prototyping, I would step directly onto the factory floor to oversee sampling and watch the first units run through production. That proximity to machinery, operators, and tooling allowed me to refine structural details in real time.
During my time at Hannapak, I worked across projects for globally recognised brands including Lindt, Kellogg's, Ferrero, and GSK. The Pentawards recognition validated the intersection of structural ingenuity and production feasibility. What made this particular design powerful was its restraint — the lifting mechanism wasn't a gimmick; it enhanced the brand experience and reinforced premium positioning.
This award was more than a trophy mention. It was a reminder that the best ideas are born where design meets machinery — where digital knifelines become physical objects, and concepts become something you can hold in your hands.