As one of the world’s largest and oldest manufacturer of stationeries and art supplies headquartered in Germany, Faber-Castell has been around for 258 years. With its Research & Development as well as eraser production manufacturing plant here in Malaysia, the Mini Sleeve Eraser Packaging Design Competition was held and open to all students of The One Academy.
Contestants were required to come up with designs for the Mini Sleeve Eraser, an award-winning eraser that comes with a protective sleeve to keep it clean, based on the concept of ‘4 Seasons’, totalling to four designs in a range. They were instructed to create their designs on A4-sized canvases, matching the colour of the themes with the erasers using colour pencils, watercolour, acrylic and oil painting as choices of medium.
Grand Prize winner, Chuah Yu Ming, receiving his prize from Faber-Castell’s representative.
Chuah Yu Ming, an Illustration major at The One Academy was crowned the Grand Prize winner. He won RM1,000 in cash prize, products hamper worth RM800 and a certificate from Faber-Castell. First time participating in a design competition, he did not have high expectations and just tried his best, hoping to gain some experience out of it.
“My design is titled ‘Astronaut and Alien’ and features comical illustrations of an astronaut who bothers an alien using the eraser as a weapon, since they’re both “drawings”. The idea came to me when I was watching some videos about space. I drew both characters in a cute style to more likely attract children,” explained Chuah.
“To prepare for this competition, I sketched out a few ideas that I think could work, and showed them to my lecturer who gave me some pointers. By planning in the beginning stage and sketching out to visualise the final pieces, I was able to save myself from making too many mistakes in the drawing process,” he added.
The Second Prize was awarded to Goh Jia Hern while the Third Prize went to Sylvia Oi Sze-Wei, who each respectively took home RM600 and RM400 in cash, products hampers worth RM500 and RM300 as well as certificates. The 10 Consolation Prize winners also each received product hampers worth RM300 and a certificate.
“My idea came from the four seasons and the typical activities done during each. For example, swimming to cool oneself off during summertime and spending time outside in springtime when it is cool and nice with flowers blooming beautifully. The main character is a red fox inspired from my previous assignment,” said Goh, who is a Foundation student.
“My idea was inspired by the 4 major subjects usually learned in school, which are: Science, Math, Arts and Languages. I found the eraser unique because of its ability to be turned in and out of its sleeve, thus creating different shapes to form objects suitable for each subject – a rocket, a mathematical compass, a dress and a moustache,” shared Oi, an Advertising & Graphic Design student.
“Go for it and give your best shot, it’s always better to try than never trying at all. To quote Wayne Gretzky, “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take,” and I truly agree with that,” she offered in advice to other competition hopefuls.
Debbie Chin Cher Wei is the Deputy Head of Advertising & Graphic Design at The One Academy who, together with a team of lecturers, supervised and guided the students with their concept and design direction. She said, “We always encourage students to take part in competitions like these as they are good opportunities to help push their creativity, build their passion and confidence, especially when their work is featured. The winners’ designs will be applied and used in Faber-Castell’s product packaging globally.”
The One Academy is committed to providing the best art education programmes and continues to nurture its students passionately through its “Masters Train Masters” coaching philosophy, which has been practised for the past 28 years, by providing diploma and degree courses namely Advertising & Graphic Design, Digital Animation, Digital Media Design, Film Visual Effects, Interior Architecture & Design, Illustration, Fine Arts and Paris Fashion Design & Pattern Making. For more information on The One Academy, visit www.toa.edu.my or call +603-7875 5510 or e-mail your enquiries to [email protected].
The One Academy of Communication Design
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he three winners of the Faber-Castell Mini Sleeve Eraser Packaging Design Competition holding their winning designs. The winners are (from left): Sylvia Oi Sze-Wei (3rd Prize), Chuan Yu Ming (Grand Prize) and Goh Jia Hern (2nd Prize). Standing on far left is Debbie Chin Cher Wei, Deputy Head of Advertising & Graphic Design at The One Academy.
