We have participated in the 15th edition of Barcelona Design Week (2020)

It has also been a request to citizens and economic agents to contribute with their actions to the recovery of the creative fabric and the reinforcement of the circular economy, such as, for example, supporting and purchasing products from local talent.

At NOMON we set up two online activities, whose main focus was sustainable packaging design, which we explained from different points of view. We also had the opportunity to participate in the activity «Creativity and business led by women» organized by the BCD.

Roundtable on sustainable packaging in the food industry

Our first activity at BDW2020 was a roundtable on sustainable packaging in the food industry moderated by the magazine News Packaging in which, alongside La Fageda and Grupo Lantero, we shared our point of view on the experience of eco-design, properties of different materials and the consumer perspective.

Around 70 participants followed the discussion, featuring Oriol Gol –Quality Assurance Director, responsible for Innovation and Environment at La Fageda– Esther Agustench, creative director and partner at NOMON DESIGN and María Rodríguez Cid, Corporate Sustainability Manager at Grupo Lantero.

The guests talked about how they were currently approaching sustainability in their companies ­–in their respective business sectors and activities– with the common aim to design and create packaging, and its relation with the consumer.

They agreed on how pressing the need for eco-design presently is, and its importance in the process of devising product packaging taking into account its entire life cycle. They pondered on how certain internal requirements and handicaps within companies often prevent them from being as sustainable as they would wish to be, and about the necessity of setting deadlines and finding a balance between both the general sustainability goals and the corporate financial goals.

They also examined the views of the consumer. They wondered whether end-consumers have all the right information about the materials packs and containers they purchase are made of, and to which degree they are recyclable. Whether or not they conform to current legislation, and whether the entire recycling process and infrastructure are sufficient or adequate.

And finally, the topic that was most welcomed among the participants: materials. The debate between choosing plastic vs paper, biodegradable, compostable materials, etc. The participants went through the doubts that arise around all and each of them, and the innovations that are emerging in this area.

The event ended with a very interesting round of Q&A from the attendees.

Creativity and business lead by women

Our founder and CEO Sisón Pujol participated in this event organised by the BCD, which took place at CASA SEAT. Four women leading creative teams debated and shared visions and experiences, moderated by Maite Felices, founder and creative director of Felices Agency.

Other participants were Rocío Martinavarro, founder and creative director of Mayúscula, and Carolina Gómez, Design Manager at Shad.

Aspects such as the differences between men and women in leadership positions, issues around the environment at work and conciliation, education, creativity and inspiration from a female point of view, among others, were discussed.

Here are the aspects highlighted by Sisón Pujol, which summarise her contribution to this discussion and her points of view, which are partly also the essence of our branding agency:

« I personally prefer speaking about good and bad leaders. There is probably a larger amount of bad male leaders. But it is a matter of probability, since there are also more men in leading positions.

In the end, it is a matter of education. I think the differences are less for genetic reasons as they are in terms of how we differ in our academic choices. Traditionally, female education has been more focused on the humanistic fields whereas men have rather been more scientific-technologically educated.

In Europe, women make up 60% of university graduates, however, less than a third of managers in small and medium-sized enterprises are women. In the top 50 publicly traded companies, there are only 10% women in management positions. Fortunately, there are already fields, such as the tech sector, in which an increasing number of companies are led by women.

We should be able to combine the strengths of both styles of leadership. If we can find a perfect balance between people-oriented and results-oriented outlooks, I think this would be a magic potion. At NOMON DESIGN we are a very feminine company, but not necessarily because women outcount men.

NOMON is feminine because it is empathetic, because it listens and observes. However, we also have many of the attributes that are usually attributed to the male gender, for instance, we are inherently brave!

Society is missing out on a lot of “Swiss army knives” by failing to incorporate female talent in leadership roles. »

Developing the first 100% sustainable toilet and kitchen paper packaging

Last, but not least, with this event we wanted to share our collaboration with the firm LC Paper with the attendees.

We began explaining the conceptualisation and art direction work in the process of creating the company’s corporate catalogue. Despite of it being a B2B company, we wanted to work on this project with a B2C approach, by reinforcing the concept of sustainability and the attributes associated with home environments.

Alongside Pau Vila, Transformation Manager of LC Paper, we talked about the process, the results and the different anecdotes of NOMON’s latest success story: the creation of a pioneering and worldwide patented packaging under the brand Dalia®, the first range of 100% sustainable tissue paper, with zero CO2 emissions, plastic and bleach-free.

During the presentation, Julia Marina, senior designer, and Esther Agustench, creative director and partner at NOMON DESIGN, went through the details of the new packaging concept, i.e. “transparent cardboard”, an innovation which was patented by the company, and which at NOMON we devised to respond to LC Paper’s needs and consumer channel requirements: show the product and its sustainable attributes without having to open the pack.

We also discussed how, during the process of creating this pioneering packaging, we considered it appropriate to propose a redesign of the Dalia® brand. Our aim being to enhance its visibility in the distribution channel. In addition, it would help convey brand values, ​​which are traditionally linked to personal care and cosmetic products instead of cleaning products, which is where this range of product is usually found in supermarkets and department stores.

Pau Vila ended the session by highlighting how the commitment to this type of printed cardboard packaging, as a recyclable alternative to the traditional plastic pack, has allowed LC Paper to make more compact pallets, optimizing shipping and its impact on emissions.