Local packaging agency joins global innovation forum

As one of SA’s leading specialists in packaging and innovation, Just Design have always prided themselves on staying ahead of local and international trends and developments. This hunger for all things new earned them a spot as the only non-UK/Euro agency on the pitch list. Their solid credentials, fresh thinking and sound experience won them a coveted seat at a table with some of the greatest minds in the industry.

The Open Innovation (OI) Forum is a structured programme where thought-leaders share best practices, explore 'hot topics' and participate in accelerated OI collaborations. The Forum offers Just Design the opportunity to learn from experienced practitioners whilst networking with other members of the global Food and FMCG business community worldwide. The group gathers three times a year to attend intensive high-output workshops. Engagement between workshops enables continued sharing of experiences and the initiation of spin-off projects.

“Open innovation” is a paradigm that suggests that participating companies can and should use both internal and external routes to market, as they advance their technology. The thinking goes that, in a world of widely distributed knowledge, companies cannot afford to rely entirely on their own research, but should work collaboratively with others. The OI Forum benefits all members from ingredients, through brand owner, manufacturing and retail; with Just Design representing a packaging perspective. The unique feature of this forum is the focus on membership from companies at every stage; so enabling discussions to be more productive, as they are in a shared and comprehensive setting.

Just Design now has an even greater opportunity to create breakthroughs in consumer and community value as they collaborate with global peers in the industry. Together they will be exploring real innovation needs and opportunities such as sustainability, traceability, health and wellbeing. These kind of networks and collaborations positively impact every level of an agencies work and have ripple effects throughout the value chain. From an industry perspective, it’s great that South African design ingenuity will be showcased at this level; and that up-to-the-minute thinking will be filtering back into our local context.

About the OI Forum:
Established in October 2010, the Open Innovation Forum (OI) was created to offer a programme of structured support and opportunity for companies from all stages of the Food and FMCG value chain. The Forum is a membership group where members share best practice, explore ‘hot topics’ along the Food and FMCG value streams and participate in optional, accelerated Open Innovation (OI) collaborations.

About Just Design
For fifteen years, Just Design has proven time and again that good thinking leads to great creative. With a national footprint and accounts across Africa, Middle East and Europe, they are the strategic design partners for many blue-chip clients and global brands, and are one of the top packaging design agencies in South Africa.

For further information, please contact:
Jason Botterill
az.oc.ngisedtsuj@nosaj
+27 (0) 21 880 2410