Placement review Multi Packaging Solutions James Burnside
MPS Profile Multi Packaging Solutions is a global leader in print and packaging with manufacturing operations in North America, Europe, and Asia. We provide customers with an extensive array of print-based specialty packaging solutions, including premium folding cartons, inserts, labels and rigid packaging across a variety of substrates and finishes, which are complemented by value-added services, including creative design, new product development and customized supply chain solutions.
Work and Successes
Customer Profile We have long-term customer relationships driven by our global presence, breadth of products, value-added service offering, operational excellence, innovative packaging solutions, and highly experienced management team. We serve a blue chip customer base, including some of the world’s largest companies and the leaders in our target markets.
Work Undertaken All work was undertaken as part of a team with the products shown designed by me contributing to a range of ideas for the client.
Skills Learnt Sampling Pocket Packs Gin/Whisky Carton Cereal Box Bathroom Ritual The Team Reflection
The Software Cake Carton Pocket Packs Chocolate Bar Wallet Small Chocolates Concept Idea Feedback
Skills Learnt
Communication
Production
CAD Team work
Sketching
Idea generation Sampling
Printing
Self assessment
The software Artios CAD The software I used for planning and producing samples was Artios CAD. As I had used this software before I already knew the basics of it however throughout my time at MPS i have developed my skills and knowledge of the program.
Sampling (Constant) The Brief Producing samples for clients to allow them to conduct tests and see the physical product before investing into it. Producing samples also allows in house tests such as production rates and gluing speeds for the packaging to be set.
Cake carton (21/03/16) The Brief As my first task within MPS I was given a cake carton to plot a plan on Artios, in order to discover what skills I had obtained from my previous placement.
Pocket packs (21/03/16-28/03/16)
The Brief The Idea Behind this pack was to create an on the go pack for small sweets that would fit into the pocket comfortably and easily. For this brief the pack had to keep the sweets fresh, cheap and easily constructed with little investment.
Gin/Whisky carton (28/03/16) The Brief Once I had got back into the software I was given the task to come up with a concept for a live brief to design a carton that would hold a Gin/Whisky bottle. The carton had to safely secure the bottle while also having good shelf presents.
Chocolate bar carton (29/03/16-05/04/16)
The Brief The brief for this concept was more of a challenge. The carton had to hold 5 chocolate bars without letting them slip around once some of the product had been removed. How I went about solving this problem was to glue pieces off the back panel onto the front in order to create divisions inside the packaging.
Cereal box (06/04/16-...) The Brief A brief came into MPS that was looking for new I ideas for cereal boxes. The concept that contributed to this range was one that would pour 1 portion per tilt and as this brief is still on going it is still being developed.
Range of Cartons for Cereal
Small chocolate carton (20/04/16-10/05/16) The Brief The idea behind this brief was to design some packaging that would represent the brand and fit 6 pieces of chocolate. The challenges behind this brief where that they where a very small construction and that they had to be produced in a short period of time.
Bathroom ritual carton (23/04/16-...) The Brief This was an innovation brief that gave the freedom to get creative and go with any ideas we had that we thought fit the brief. Over my time at MPS I think this was my favourite brief as it gave me the freedom to use my imagination with no limitations or product to fit into them.
Full range for Bathroom ritual carton
Biscuit carton (23/05/25) The Brief The biscuit carton brief was very challenging as the carton had to be a skillet and not use much more card that there current carton. this being said we managed to come up with a range of ideas that has now been narrowed down to 4.
Full range of ideas for Biscuit carton
Concept Idea (...) The Brief This was not done in a brief however while working on a brief we stumbled across a design that would be quite good given the right brief. This will be left with MPS for them to use when the right brief comes along.
The Team
From day one all the team at MPS where welcoming and I wouldn’t be able to thank them enough for making my time with them so enjoyable. I could go to them with any questions and I would be helped out instantly (sometimes with a laugh at how silly the question was). It was a very friendly environment to work in which I would highly recommend to anyone looking for a placement next year. The office was always full of energy even in the more challenging briefs, this made them that bit more enjoyable and I was thrown straight into the briefs, not being seen as a placement student but being seen as a college and this allowed me to feel completely comfortable when working through briefs. I would strongly consider working for MPS as the team have already made me feel like I have been there for years.
Feedback Jerry Corcoran Studio Director – MPS Divisional Design Studio Over the years we have had a range of different placement within our business and I have to say James is an absolute exception to the rule Both confident / Knowledgeable / Brand Aware / Committed to the tasks and fits into the studio with ease. We have completed various Briefs for our client base including Mars / Nestle / Mondelez / Bodyshop and James has contributed well to both the original brainstorm and then in terms of a contribution of clever constructions He has thrown himself into the task and you can see he is very happy to sit and think through the concept – I think this is a key aspect of his success Without being over confident he has worked with a complex array of characters within our studio who I find challenging after 30 years so with this baptism of fire will be able to handle most design studio scenarios. I am sure he will keep in touch with us and hope if he was interested we would be more than open to see if there was a position within the MPS studio’s in UK / Europe after he completes his studies “Good Luck for the future James and thank you for your efforts you have been a real asset to the studio”
Eddie Ruddock – 45 years in construction Design!! Technical capability: Has a good basic knowledge which has increased over the course of the work placement. Knowledge on Packaging: Has a good knowledge of Packaging and uses our archive to research suitable profiles Brand awareness: Have noticed when working on a new project he looks to the internet to research the Customer before and during the project. Innovative thinking: Has come up with some well thought out ideas and some not so well thought out ideas, but this comes with experience. Social inter action: Fits in well within the team in a work and social environment. Any general comments: Any time spent in a production and packing environment to help him understand how an idea moves from concept to a fully viable and cost effective carton would be of benefit to James.
Richard Turnock – Senior Construction Designer Technical capability –Very good analytical engineering skills. Natural geometrical awareness and demonstrates a good practical approach to problem solving. Knowledge on Packaging – Has a good awareness of packaging currently available in retail outlets and has demonstrated on-going observations of packaging construction. Brand awareness - Keen to research and collate information on customers and brands in order to focus appropriately on design briefs. Innovative thinking – Excellent natural ability to innovate and problem solve. Social inter action – Very sociable with a good sense of humour while maintaining consistent concentration of given tasks. Worked well independently and as part of the team. Any general comments – Been a pleasure to have James in the studio. He has made a significant positive contribution and will be missed when his placement ends.
Scott Alexander Construction Designer Knowledge on Packaging / Technical capability Equipped with previous packaging design experience James has surpassed all expectations and has become a valuable team member regularly inputting fantastic design proposals to briefs. James has an excellent understanding of basic carton styles and a natural curiosity to push the boundaries with his innovative designs. Brand awareness James has shown a great understanding of the importance of a brand’s identity. This careful consideration and depth of thought to individual briefs has resulted in concepts that truly reflect the brand’s characteristic and key values, something that is quite challenging to do. Innovative thinking James’s innovative approach to brief’s has resulted in some brilliant and unique design solutions that have pleased various large brands such as Mondelez International, Walkers, Mars and Body Shop international. He has a Keen eye for design! Social interaction Through his positive attitude and his questionable jokes James has become a great addition to the team and studio atmosphere. He has relished every challenge given to him and mucked in with the team when we have been in need of help. This young enthusiastic designer will be missed from the studio. One to keep an eye on for the Future!
Michelle Hammond – Graphic Design I was going to send you an email regarding James irrespective of your request. I don’t know if there is a position for him in the studio, however it would be great if we could offer him a place. I love his creative thought process, his train of thought on brief and the way that he interacts. I think he's a real 'creative type’. He has been enthusiastic, worked hard, listened and contributed in his own way. On the Body Shop brief he was the only person to supply me with a list of buzz words – and they were good! I think he has great potential!!! It would be a shame for us as a studio and a company to miss out on that. I like his personality too! Fits in well.
Reflection In my time at Multi Packaging Solutions I have participated in many briefs such as Whisky, Bath ritual and many confectionery Packaging briefs. I have experienced a different environment of work place than what I have previously worked in. This has played a crucial part in developing my understanding of the packaging design industry. From cutting white samples in the workshop, to seeing graphic prototypes being crafted, to witnessing packaging being mass produced at the Newcastle factory. These experiences gave me a greater understanding of the different stages and limitations that exist within the industry of packaging design. The work that I participated in gave me a better understanding of how a product is developed, from a brief, to an idea, to production a lot quicker than a university environment. This meant that deadlines where a lot short than I have previously been use to and the specifications from the client had to be met in this short period of time. It also let me see how there is limitations on what can be produce such as the machinery in erecting and gluing the packaging, tolerances in the different materials used and the layout of the carton. It also gave me the opportunity to develop my software skills in Artios CAD in which without being in this environment I wouldn’t have the opportunity to as it is expensive to use. Not completing a task from start to finish but only having an input at one stage of the design /production stage was a different experience as briefs are passed on and passed back between different stages of the process very quickly. This was good preparation an a learning experience for the design workplace, in whatever field of design I might go into after university.
The commute to work every day made me realise how much driving is taken for granted as I was picked up each morning and dropped off each night from my placement by one of my work colleagues, as at the moment I can’t drive. The few times he couldn’t pick me up I had to get on the train and a bus with a walk in between. This commute took me about 1 hour each way where as driving only took 15 minutes. This also brought to light how much public transport costs as to get to work on public transport would cost me around £4 each way. Constantly meeting new people with different backgrounds that I worked with from colleagues to clients and getting to know them e.g. Eddie with 45 years within packaging design, was a unique experience that can’t be witnessed within the university. This gave me a fresh insight in what working in the design industry was like and spurred on my passion for design as this seems to be the root of design i am steering towards. Overall I have learnt many new skills from socialising with people in the industry to developing my technology skills and many more skills that will hopefully become more apparent later on in my design career as it is a job i can see myself doing in the future. As well as gaining new contacts and friends within the industry of packaging. It will also help influence my university career as it will make me take on briefs in a more professional manor. I have fully enjoyed my time at Multi Packaging Solutions as all the staff where very welcoming, friendly and very torrent with my cheesy jokes and silly questions. I hope to stay in contact with MPS throughout my next year of university as I could see myself wanting to work there in the future as no 2 days are the same, the people are very friendly and it is a well rounded company.