Packaging students have to design a new, "constructively striking" carton for the popcorn supplier’s microwave range.  The pack must bring "both excitement and intrigue to family home movie nights" and must increase shelf presence for the product.

The container will need to hold between three to six sachets of popcorn, incorporating a selection of the three available flavours.  Students have to consider the ‘home cinema’ feel popcorn brings to enjoying films, said the companies.

Competition entrants must be part- or full-time students at a college, college of art or university in the UK or overseas, and must register online at www.bensongroup.co.uk by 1 November 2013. Along with a £250 cash prize the overall winner will be offered a week of work experience in the design studio at Benson Group’s Bardon, Leicestershire headquarters and production facility.

Marketing manager Nikki Clark said: "This represents a tremendous opportunity for students to showcase their abilities and talents to a huge audience, enhance their CV and kick start a career in packaging design.

"With cartonboard as the predominant material, designers can incorporate plastic window film if desired, and their new and exciting design could offer consumers a way to transform the carton into a sharing pack. Of course size constraints, with a maximum footprint of 160 x 160mm and height of 200mm, must be taken into consideration as well."

Judging will be conducted by Clark as well as Helena Blincow, brand manager at Butterkist, and Dean Parkin, packaging development team leader at Butterkist. Butterkist brand manager Helena Blincow said: "We are looking to today’s design students to bring something different to the world of popcorn."

For competition entry information click here