NEW
Sustainable Packaging Design and Production
Design responsible packaging by combining creativity, innovation and sustainability criteria
Bilbao
ESP
Summer Course
Language
Spanish
Start date
July 2027
Frequency
Part-time
Fruition
On campus
Duration
5 days
Credits
25 Hours
Price
1.300 €
Learn how to develop packaging solutions that address today’s environmental challenges by integrating design, materials, production and circular economy principles throughout the process.
The Summer Course in Sustainable Packaging Design and Production introduces you to the development of packaging designed to minimise its environmental impact without compromising functionality, brand identity or user experience. You will discover how design decisions directly influence production, logistics and a product’s life cycle.
In a context shaped by the transformation of the industry, new European regulations and growing demand for sustainable solutions, packaging has become a strategic area for companies and design professionals. Today, it is essential to understand how to apply ecodesign principles, select responsible materials and develop packaging suited to a circular economy model.
Over the course of one week, you will acquire introductory knowledge of sustainability applied to packaging, life cycle assessment, materials, production processes, prototyping and strategies to improve packaging recyclability, reusability and efficiency.
Through theoretical content and practical sessions, you will learn how to develop sustainable packaging proposals, understanding how design decisions affect the production process as well as distribution, consumption and the management of packaging at the end of its useful life.
Information to decide
A unique course in Bilbao where you will discover how to design packaging that responds to the current needs of the industry and the challenges of sustainability.
The course is structured into different thematic blocks covering all stages of sustainable packaging development, from ecodesign principles to production, logistics and product communication.
A key feature is its commitment to project-based learning, a methodology that brings students closer to real-life industry situations and enables them to immediately apply the knowledge acquired through practical exercises and projects.
The programme combines theoretical sessions with hands-on workshops coordinated by Núria Vila, a graphic designer and art director specialising in visual identity, packaging and sustainable communication, together with professionals with experience in design, production and sustainability.
This course requires basic knowledge of graphic design or product design, as well as a basic understanding of Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator.
It may be of particular interest to:
- Students of graphic design or product design who want to specialise in sustainable packaging.
- Graphic and product designers interested in incorporating sustainability criteria into their projects.
- Packaging industry professionals who want to update their knowledge of materials, production processes and the circular economy.
- Technical professionals working in the packaging and container industry, including production, engineering, quality, processes or R&D, who want to understand the impact of sustainable design on manufacturing and packaging life cycles.
The Summer Course in Sustainable Packaging Design and Production offers a comprehensive approach to responsible packaging development, bringing together design, materials, production, logistics and communication—areas that are often studied separately.
Its practical and applied approach provides an understanding of the real challenges facing an industry undergoing major transformation, driven by innovation, the circular economy and new regulatory requirements.
Taking this experience at IED Kunsthal Bilbao means studying at a school committed to sustainability and responsible design, in an environment where creativity and innovation are placed at the service of solutions with a positive impact.
Syllabus
Introduction
The environmental impact of conventional packaging
The principles of sustainability, ecodesign and circularity
Reduce, reuse, recycle (and compost)
Legislation, regulations and certifications
Designing for Sustainability
Packaging life cycle assessment
Identifying clear and achievable sustainability goals
Innovation in sustainable design
The importance of timelessness
Space optimisation, weight reduction, modularity and foldability
Materials
Minimising the use of resources
Selecting sustainable materials
Sustainable Production Processes
Supplier evaluation and selection
Collaborative innovation
Production management
Transport and Distribution
The environmental impact of transport and distribution
Identifying efficient routes
Return and refill systems
Monitoring and Evaluation
Regular evaluations
Implementing improvements
Continuous innovation
Communication and Transparency
The importance of transparency with clients, suppliers and end users
Standardised symbols
Storytelling and awareness
Clear information on reuse, recycling or composting
Inside the labs
+3
Prototyping Workshop
+3
Printmaking Workshop
+2
Multidisciplinary Workshop on Artistic Techniques
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