This year, Product Designer Jamie McLellan was commissioned to design the NZIA Award trophies and we were invited to design and develop a piece of packaging suitable to the occasion. To capture the gravity of the awards whilst supporting Jamie’s concept — a flat packed user-assembled trophy, complete with screws, tools and instructions.

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The structural package for the NZIA Award completes this concept (in an Ikea kind way), all designed and constructed with multi-layered, die-cut, Kraft Brown E flute corrugated cardboard. Each component fits into a precision crafted cut-out, holding them secure and protecting the anodised metal. All cut-outs incorporate a thumb groove tailored to the same depth as the component, creating a simple and obvious way to lift out.

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The multi-layered insert is enclosed and finished with an external cover. This is intentionally oversized lengthwise and uses 3mm double creased edges to add a touch of quality, depth and detail. Additionally, the package would also be handed out on awards night, being enjoyed, opened and closed a number of times — So to complete the pack, a self-locking tab system was designed and engineered to fit comfortably back into the insert, creating the feeling of a single, considered form.