EskoArtwork, in acknowledgement of its generous donation to Michigan State University’s School of Packaging (SoP), proudly announces it has received recognition into The Frank S. Kedzie Society, one of the university’s most prestigious donor recognition groups. Named for the eighth president of MSU, the Kedzie Society is given to individuals, corporations, or foundations that bestow a significant donation to the school. 

The gift that keeps on giving

During the summer of 2011, EskoArtwork donated 30 seats of ArtiosCAD, Visualizer, and Studio. A long-time supporter of MSU, this most recent gift of state-of-the-art package development and design software complements an earlier donation of ArtiosCAD software to accompany a Kongsberg digital finishing table the school owned.

EskoArtwork was publicly recognized for its donation during an MSU Consumer Packaged Goods Packaging Design Seminar, held on October 13. Dr. Frank Fear, Sr. Associate Dean, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, which houses the School of Packaging, and Dr. Doug Estry, Associate Provost, presented a cut crystal memento to Susie Stitzel, EskoArtwork Solution Manager. Stitzel also took part in the day’s seminar program featuring experts from the CPG industry.

“EskoArtwork is honored to receive this award, which celebrates our commitment to both Michigan State University as well as our commitment to education within the packaging industry,” says Ms. Stitzel. “We see this as a win-win for all parties involved. MSU students benefit from using the most advanced packaging design and production software available, industry benefits by having tomorrow’s workforce skilled in using the leading and up-to-date technology on the market, and EskoArtwork benefits from having future industry personnel familiar with the assets of our software.”

A leader and pioneer in packaging education

Michigan State University’s School of Packaging is renowned in the industry, with more than half of all graduates of packaging programs employed in the U.S. coming from MSU’s School of Packaging. Established in 1952 (first as a discipline within the MSU Department of Forest Products then, in 1957, as an independent school), the School of Packaging is a leader in teaching, research and outreach focused on packaging containers, materials, functionality and improvement. The school has a significant track record of providing high quality undergraduate, graduate and continuing education, in addition to conducting research that advances the science and technology of packaging. The School of Packaging currently houses approximately 550 undergraduate and 100 graduate students. As of 2011, SoP has conferred more than 7,000 academic degrees in the field.

“As a leader in packaging education, The School of Packaging at MSU strives to provide undergraduate and graduate education and research to serve students, employers, the packaging discipline and the community as a whole,” says Dennis Young, Specialist, School of Packaging. “The EskoArtwork gift is a significant contribution to these efforts. The software is now part of three courses, and is used by students for projects in other courses as well. The integrated system is also being used in several research projects to push the limits of our understanding and knowledge about packaging. The School sees this as a continuing and expanding application area supporting innovative and responsible packaging development.”

ArtiosCAD, used for the design of corrugated containers and specialty cartons, features 3D design and animation components that allow MSU students to see a virtual prototype on a computer screen prior to finishing on a Kongsberg cutting table. With EskoArtwork Studio, a plug-in for Adobe® Illustrator®, a 3D rendering of the package is easily accessible also right on the screen, giving students the ability to design graphics in 3D rather than from a two-dimensional flat. The software suite, which helps students apply creative and innovative solutions in the production of corrugated and paperboard products, is used in conjunction with the Kongsberg digital finishing table, a large format printer and a cold lamination system.

Examples of how EskoArtwork software and equipment are being used include:

• In Packaging Decision Systems, second and third-year students use EskoArtwork software to design and solve problems relating to production of packaging systems.
• In Packaging with Paper and Paperboard, second and third year level students use ArtiosCAD to create a sample package, which is cut, with digital technology, on a Kongsberg table.
• In Package Development Technology, EskoArtwork software and equipment form the foundation of this new offering, which focuses on development of consumer packaging using current technology tools. Using ArtiosCAD and Studio, students will learn how to integrate package structure, graphics and performance.

“The gift software is central to an expanding emphasis on Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) package design, as well as supporting the School of Packaging's focus on transportation packaging and sustainability,” says Young. “This semester (fall 2011) we have used this capability in a joint collaboration project between a class of packaging students and a class of Studio Design students, demonstrating the cooperation between structural and graphics design to achieve planned objectives.”

Beyond the classroom

Installed in a University Microcomputer Lab in the Packaging Building, EskoArtwork technology is also used in additional classes as well as offering support for research projects both within and outside the School of Packaging. Students in a class on medical packaging, for example, which focuses on special requirements for packaging pharmaceuticals and medical devices, used ArtiosCAD and the Kongsberg table to support research on how a particular medical package worked. Requiring a carton that would fit a plastic tray to be accurately produced and designed, students used ArtiosCAD to design the project and the Kongsberg table to cut a sample.

EskoArtwork technology functions as a resource for SoP’s research programs, which cuts a swath in a broad number of areas relating to packaging, including bio-based polymers, nanocomposites, radio frequency identification, automotive packaging, pharmaceutical packaging and packaging and solutions for food quality and safety

The School of Packaging’s Center for Packaging Innovation and Sustainability will also make use of the donation. One of the challenges facing the Center, which aims to be a global leader in research and outreach related to packaging innovation and sustainable systems, is exploring which specific principles should be considered when designing new, sustainable packages. ArtiosCAD, Studio and the Kongsberg table will support the efforts of those involved in examining this issue.

“EskoArtwork’s donation is a resource available for people outside the packaging department; anything that gets done around here may require a carton or a box structure,” notes Young. “A student involved in MSU’s nutrition science program, for example, might have a packaging challenge that they need addressed as part of their capstone research project. The student will be able to use ArtiosCAD to design the structure and cut out a sample on the Kongsberg table.

EskoArtwork also supports MSU with its involvement in seminar programs. On October 13, in addition to receiving the Kedzie memento, EskoArtwork’s Susie Stitzel joined Dr. Mike Richmond, PTIS Global; Dr. Vicki VanHurley, Femme Phatale and John Silva, President, Creative Director, The DuPuis Group, as part of MSU’s expert panel on Consumer Packaged Goods.

At the seminar, which was open to students and faculty from the School of Packaging and other Colleges within MSU, as well as packaging professionals and attendees from the general MSU community, Stitzel spoke to Package Development Opportunities: Embracing Holistic Thinking in Packaging. Her discussion included an overview of the packaging market, as well as a 360-degree look at packaging—how it fits into the supply chain, how well it meets regulatory requirements, its ability to attract consumers, and its sustainability.

“EskoArtwork is committed to furthering education,” says Stitzel. “In North America, there are more than 50 schools and universities where EskoArtwork software and hardware is installed. Our latest investment will help highlight the opportunities and challenges within the packaging arena, as well as demonstrate the importance of design and production in the packaging process.”