Duo Named Winners of Wine Label Design Competition

Their dreams came true on 5 May when they were named winners of ROTOCON’s wine label design competition. They study Integrated Communication Design in the Department of Visual Communication at the Faculty of Arts and Design. The winning design was created by fourth-year student Mpho Moema (20), but ROTOCON also decided to award an additional R15 000 to third-year student Jimmy Libese (25).

Duo Named Winners of Wine Label Design Competition

Undergraduate students were challenged to create innovative, cutting-edge wine label designs earlier this year as part of the label and packaging print giant’s competition.

Designs were influenced by contemporary printing processes and finishing methods, such as foils, varnishes, die-cuts, and embossing, as well as design process and strong ideation.

Winning duo! Jimmy Libese (25) and Mpho Moema (20), runner-up and winner of the ROTOCON wine label design competition, respectively.

Approximately 30 design wizards took advantage of the opportunity.

They will both receive certificates from ROTOCON about their knowledge in label printing and finishing at the WineLand Media/ROTOCON’s prestigious 30 Under 30 Awards luncheon in Cape Town in June. To present the winning labels at the awards ceremony, they will be printed on a press with auxiliary technologies offered by ROTOCON.

Despite her humble beginnings, Mpho expressed her joy at receiving top honors and to be recognized in such a way. When I complete my studies, I intend to open a studio where African designers can collaborate and design distinctive African products.”

She was inspired by the vineyard scenery in Cape Town when designing her dress. ” The vineyards are pictured in the foreground with Table Mountain in the background. This illustration shows the vineyard with Table Mountain in the distance. The dots create the illusion of being in the vineyard and looking out at the scene. Stars are represented by the dots, as this design is based on pictures of a landscape under a starry sky. It gives the illusion that the dots have a subtle glimmer when seen from a distance. This landscape was captured using the stars,” she said.

Since there was only going to be one winner, Jimmy said he was surprised to be selected as runner-up. The award is an honor for me.”

Monkeys, for example, steal grapes from vineyards, which influenced his design. A young, adventurous consumer might be attracted to the brand’s playful illustrations looking for an exciting and unique wine-drinking experience, he suggested.

“By doing so, a brand can build positive emotional connections with its consumers.”

As a keynote speaker at the event, ROTOCON CEO Michael Aengenvoort stressed the importance of pursuing dreams despite their challenges. He told tomorrow’s young design guard that dreaming helps them set measurable and achievable goals, fuels their motivation, and inspires them to think outside the box.

Students should never become complacent in this journey because failure is a natural part of it. There is no limit to what you can achieve.”

Photographed at the ROTOCON wine label design competition prize-giving ceremony are (from left): Michael Aengenvoort (ROTOCON CEO), Jimmy Libese (runner-up), Prof Nalini Moodley (Executive Dean, Faculty of Arts and Design), Mpho Moema (winner), Dr Herman Botes (Head of the Department of Visual Communication) and Banie Stafford (B Creative).

ROTOCON-TUT collaboration was enabled by industry partnerships spearheaded by Dr Herman Botes, Head of Visual Communication at TUT, and Banie Stafford of B Creative at ROTOCON.

He expressed his gratitude for seeing students still promoting design 32 years after completing his studies and congratulated the winning duo. Students were encouraged to attend classes and he reminded them that passion, dedication, and passion for what they were doing are non-negotiables in this industry. I think you guys did a great job on this project.”

This partnership between Dr Botes and his former classmate has been a treasure to him, and he said it was difficult to choose a winner.

In addition to sommeliers, sommeliers, winemakers, wine marketers, academics, PR and marketing experts, harvest assistants, and brand ambassadors among the 30 young individuals, WineLand Media also recognizes soil scientists, sommeliers, winemakers, wine marketers, academics, harvest assistants, and brand ambassadors.

Jimmy’s design.

Mpho’s design.