Drinks for award-winning designers

The award-winning designers who gave a monk-brewed beer a striking new look have scooped a new prize - the International Cider Challenge 2013 gold award for best packaging.

Design Futures, based at Sheffield Hallam University, have designed the packaging for a range of products made by the monks at Ampleforth Abbey, including a new Premium Cider product.

And the unlikely partnership struck the jackpot after being given a gold award for packaging at the awards, held last month in Parsons Green, London.

The monks first contacted the University's in-house design consultancy last year after deciding their beer needed a 21^st century reboot.

John Kirkby, creative director at Design Futures, said: "Being awarded gold in this competition is a proud moment and illustrates the value of considering design as a complete visual identity rather than designing for individual products.

"The cider label follows the same style as the beer label but introduces a green background colour which alongside the gold foil blocking gives the product a crisp, tasty feel.

"The team at Ampleforth Abbey is a pleasure to work with and further products are already in development."

Click to view the image

Rosie Davenport, editor of Off Licence News and chair of the judges at International Cider Challenge 2013 said: “The International Cider Challenge is rigorously judged and winning a medal is a real achievement. Suppliers are responding to consumers' growing interest with new styles while also raising production standards so drinkers experience ciders at their best."

Design Futures is a commercially-focused product and packaging design consultancy group based within Sheffield Hallam University. Clients range from small and medium sized enterprises right through to large multinationals. For more information contact info@dfgroup.co.uk

For press information: contact Laurie Harvey in the Sheffield Hallam University press office on 0114 225 2621 or email laurie.harvey@shu.ac.uk