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Suntory Holdings

This is a photo of the Tap. Water Brand concept showing three bottles with colourful hand prints on them
Suntory Holdings Design Challenge Competition Winner, Tap. – Luca Boone

Suntory Holdings, the Tokyo-based global beverage leader known for its portfolio of iconic drinks brands approached London College of Communication (LCC) to engage with the next generation of creative leaders within LCC’s Design School. The goal: to uncover fresh insight and perspectives, and identify potential candidates for an internship opportunity at Suntory’s HQ in Japan.

In collaboration with LCC, Suntory launched a Design Challenge & Internship Prize, open to 2nd & 3rd year BA and MA students from Graphic Branding & Identity & Graphic Media Design courses. The brief challenged students to envision and design a “water brand” for the future.

Students were asked to research the environmental shifts that might shape our world in years to come and explore how the value and perception of water might evolve. From branding to packaging, students were encouraged to consider how their concepts could not only reflect future realities, but also meaningfully impact people’s lives.

Approximately 50 students across both courses took part in the competition and submitted proposals reviewed by the Suntory Studio Design team. 10 finalists were selected and invited to refine their brand proposals and pitch their concepts in-person to Suntory representatives. The finalists also took part in a 3D printing workshop in the college’s 3D workshop led by LCC Technicians where they created 3D prototypes to support their pitch.

After careful consideration, Suntory selected Luca Boone, a third year BA Graphic Branding & Identity student as the winner. His standout concept Tap. impressed Suntory with its innovative approach: a locally sourced, purified tap water brand packaged in compostable paper pulp. The design features hydrochromic ink, which reveals patterns when wet, highlighting dehydration in adults and encouraging healthier hydration habits.  As the competition winner, Luca was invited to join the Suntory Design Studio team for a three-week internship in Tokyo.

The celebrated runner ups for this project were MA Graphic Branding & Identity students Claire Olibet & Ishita Shandilya. Claire secured 2nd place with  ‘drop’ a personalised hydration experience which incorporates functional ingredients and plant-based packaging, and Ishita Shandilya (3rd Place) who looked at a future where water rose from the depth of the sea with her Marine-Gel water brand The Kelpines.

Contact
LCC Research and Knowledge Exchange
Email: partnerships@lcc.arts.ac.uk

I was deeply inspired by the incredibly diverse and unique proposals from the students. Many of the ideas showed a strong and consistent brand, from the way of thinking to the methods of expression.

— Sakiko Kobayashi Suntory Holdings Creative Director
This project gave me the unique opportunity to pitch independently to a global client, helping me strengthen both my creative skills and professional confidence.

— Claire Olibet Suntory Design Challenge 2nd Place, MA Graphic Branding & Identity
Taking part in the Suntory Design Challenge has been an incredible experience. Working on a brief from such a creative, global brand gave me a real taste of what it’s like to work in the industry. I’ve learned so much, and it’s definitely shaped how I approach projects now. Winning first prize and getting an internship still feels surreal, but it’s made me feel more confident in my path and excited for what’s ahead!

— Luca Boone Suntory Design Challenge Winner, BA Graphic Branding & Identity
The Suntory Design challenge was an exciting opportunity to design with foresight and learnings from this project have become valuable addition to my personal manifesto. Additionally, working in the 3D workshop on a design prototype was an enriching experience, helping me create an artefact the client could experience the idea through. It’s an honour to be selected for a podium placement amongst my incredibly talented colleagues!

— Ishita Shandilya Suntory Design Challenge 3rd Place, MA Graphic Branding & Identity

Student work

  • These are different examples of Luca Boone's Tap. water brand activations
    Luca Boon - Tap. Activations
  • This is an image the Drop packaging
    Claire Olibet - Drop Packaging
  • This an image of the Drop water brand experience concept created by Claire Olibet
    Claire Olibet - Drop Experience Activation
  • This is an image of the activation of the drop water brand concept
    Claire Olibet - Drop Packaging Activations
  • This is a prototype of a water dispenser for Suntory Project
    Ishita Shandilya - Photo Cred. Moto Murai
  • This is an image of activations of The Kelpines water brand, including clothings and experiential activation
    Ishita Shandilyia - The Kelpines Activation
  • This is a photo of The Kelpines activation showing a hydronaut looking at a billboard.
    Ishita Shandilya - The Kelpines Activation
  • This a photo of a student presenting their concept to the Suntory Design team as part of this project.
    Nadirah Sharifah - Suntory Holding Design Challenge Presentation - Cred. Moto Murai
  • This is a photo of the prototype of the water bottle that Weiqing Zhuang created
    Weiqing Zhuang - Cred. Moto Murai

Project credits:

Awarded students:

  • Luca Boon, BA Graphic Branding & Identity – Winner & Intership Recipient
  • Claire Olibet, MA Graphic Branding & Identity – 2nd Place
  • Ishita Shandilya, MA Graphic Branding & Identity – 3rd Place

Academic Leads:

  • Harriet Beesley, BA Graphic Branding & Identity Year 2 Lead
  • Ian Carr, BA Graphic & Media Design Course Leader

Find out more

London College of Communication

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