What impressed you to pursue a profession within the packaging trade?
Amela Kusuran – What impressed me above all was the interplay between materials and object. Watchmaking is a extremely demanding discipline, the place contact, look, consolation, and precision are important: we create intimate objects that folks put on on daily basis. As a scientist, rethinking supplies on this context got here naturally.
Packaging shortly turned an apparent extension of this work, as it’s inconceivable to design one thing with out contemplating how the item is protected, introduced, and handed on. I like the concept that materials, packaging, and the narrative surrounding the item all kind a part of the identical imaginative and prescient — a extra accountable one — in a sector that’s continually evolving in response to environmental challenges and altering shopper expectations.
Which materials has notably fascinated you in your current initiatives?
Amela Kusuran – One materials that has notably fascinated me not too long ago is espresso grounds. I’ve been engaged on remodeling them into a cloth for watch and jewelry containers. Past itscircular nature, this venture explores a robust sensory dimension: the scent of espresso, the tactile expertise, and the emotion created when the field is opened. It gives a brand new means of telling the story of an object by partaking a number of senses.
What is without doubt one of the greatest challenges you have got confronted as a younger chief on this sector?
Amela Kusuran – One of many primary challenges has been introducing new concepts right into a sector that has traditionally been extremely codified. Proposing another materials or a extra sustainable course of inevitably means difficult established habits: you must persuade, clarify, pay attention, alter… and typically begin over again. Discovering the best stability between innovation and industrial feasibility is a continuing train. As a younger chief, you additionally should discover ways to talk a transparent imaginative and prescient whereas remaining attentive to market realities.
If you happen to might change one false impression about packaging, what wouldn’t it be?
Amela Kusuran – I want to transfer past the concept that packaging is merely “waste.” When nicely designed, it will probably turn out to be a wise device — reusable, recyclable, minimalist, and absolutely aligned with the item it accompanies. It protects, enhances, and might even lengthen a product’s lifespan. I’m satisfied that tomorrow’s packaging might be designed with the identical diploma of precision because the product itself and can turn out to be a real driver of sustainable innovation.
This yr marks the twenty fifth anniversary of Paris Packaging Week. What legacy would you want the brand new technology of Future Leaders to go away for the following 25 years?
Amela Kusuran – I would really like our technology to go away behind a extra accountable and extra human means of making. I hope we can have challenged established fashions and prioritised simplicity, high quality, and a extra round strategy. If, in 25 years’ time, the trade is extra clear, extra respectful of sources, and extra conscious of its impression, then we can have achieved one thing actually essential.
What recommendation would you give to younger professionals beginning their careers?
Amela Kusuran – I might inform them to be daring: ask questions, recommend concepts, and categorical their perspective. Creativity typically comes from curiosity or a easy remark. I might additionally encourage them to discover totally different disciplines and alter their perspective, because the trade wants contemporary methods of considering. Lastly, I might remind them to benefit from the journey: it’s a demanding however thrilling discipline, the place you’re continually creating and inventing.
What does being chosen as a Future Chief imply to you?
Amela Kusuran – It’s a nice supply of delight, however above all a duty. Being a Future Chief means embodying a extra progressive, dedicated, and open strategy, whereas giving visibility to work that usually occurs behind the scenes and results in the creation of new supplies. For me, this recognition is an actual encouragement to proceed championing innovation that has that means.
Are you able to share an instance of a design, innovation or model that you simply contemplate iconic and clarify why?
Amela Kusuran – One model I contemplate iconic is ID Genève. Their strategy reinvents watchmaking by combining high-end design, round supplies, and transparency. They display that it’s doable to create a fascinating watch whereas rethinking the whole worth chain, from supplies to packaging. For me, they embody accountable innovation and a very trendy imaginative and prescient of watchmaking.
