Meet the Designer – Vipul from Leicester

Our Leicester designer Vipul shares the answers to his ten questions!

1.      How long have you been with the company?

I start with the Group in 1998, with Colour Case and Display. Then the name changed to Mondi Display, now known as inspirepac.  I left Mondi Display and joined Mondi Packaging Leicester which became part of B&P in January 2004.  That’s 20 years in packaging now …Gosh that does make me sound and feel old!

 2.       If you could design anything out of cardboard – what would it be?

Anything that can replace plastic – especially disposable plastic plates and cutlery. These are heavily used when we go for picnics, for parties, and definitely Indian weddings. I have had this planted in my head for the past 5/6 years to try and find a way to making plastic plates/cutlery more environmental friendly – it’s just ironic that plastic pollution has recently become a big topic.

Designs come and go just like fashion so hopefully I’ll find the solution!

3.       What’s the future for corrugated design?

I don’t think the corrugated future ever changes. Everything needs to be packed, shipped, stored and it’s a cheap, practical, environmentally safe and easy to recycle material. With the issues of plastic and the internet shopping revolution the market will only grow.

4.       What do you enjoy about working at B&P?

Good unity and due to having so many B&P sites you can always contact someone for advice on a range of topics – design, machinery issues and even Health and Safety. It’s good to work for an organisation that still believes in manufacturing.

5.       Tell us your earliest childhood memory?

Growing up in Nairobi, Kenya.My dad would take me to the National Park every Saturday. Seeing wildlife,Elephants, Lions, Cheetahs – wild and free – you cannot beat that experience. It used to make me laugh at the foreigners as they were taking pictures of birds!I never understood why until I started to watch the wildlife documentaries,when we moved to the UK.

 6.       What is your favourite sport to watch? 

Football mainly, but any sport really although I’d rather play then watch. I play Badminton and squash on a regular basis and love it with a passion.

7.       If you could go anywhere in the world on holiday, where would you go and why? 

Thailand.  The 3 ‘S’ – Good weather, great beaches, cheap and tasty meals

8.       If you could host a talk show, who would be your first guest?

Romesh Ranganathan – Just love his humour.

9.       What was the worst punishment you received at school?

Getting caned. It’s a usual punishment in the primary schools back in Kenya. It used to be very strict and educationally driven. When I moved to England I could not believe how lacks things were and no such punishment!

10.   What’s the greatest bit of advice a parent or mentor has given you?

Always work hard, appreciate others and appreciate what you have. My best quote is: ‘Happiness is the absence of striving for happiness’ by Chuang Tzu.