From teacher to award-winning designer: Joash Gounden's sustainable noodle packaging innovation

JOASH Gounden, a former art teacher turned design student, has received international recognition -  the WorldStar Student Certificate of Recognition - for his innovative biodegradable instant noodle packaging.

Utilising biodegradable materials and clever engineering, the packaging optimally balances functionality with an eco-friendly approach, marking a significant step forward in how food products can be packaged sustainably.

What makes Gounden’s story particularly compelling is his journey. 

The 25-year-old worked as a high school art teacher, saving towards his studies, before studying at Vega School at Emeris uMhlanga, where he is a third year IIE Bachelor of Communication Design student. 

As a finalist in the national Student Gold Pack Awards, he was automatically entered into the WorldStar Global Packaging Awards and was awarded a certificate of recognition as a result of his entry.

The certificate, which recognises excellence in packaging design, innovation and creative problem solving on the global stage, is awarded to entries that receive exceptionally high scores from WorldStar judges. This year, the WorldStar Awards received about 550 entries from 40 countries.

“This was the first time I entered a competition as a student. Being a finalist in the Student Gold Pack Awards and then receiving a WorldStar Student Certificate of Recognition was completely unexpected,” said Gounden of Tongaat.

“All the finalists for the national competition were flown to Johannesburg. I attended with one other Vega School student and my communications design lecturer, Mickey Burnett. It was such an amazing experience. When I was later contacted about the WorldStar Student Certificate of Recognition, I was genuinely shocked. I think the news is still sinking in. It’s so rewarding to know that all the hard work and late nights have paid off." 

Gounden’s journey to Vega School was not a direct one.

Due to financial circumstances, he was unable to pursue communication design studies immediately after matriculating. Instead, he completed two years of study towards an education degree through the Unisa and worked as an art teacher at a high school in Tongaat, while remaining determined to follow his passion for design and art.

“My dad is a policeman and my mum has muscular dystrophy, so our household relied on one income,” Gounden explained. 

“In addition to them helping me with funds, I worked and saved while teaching, knowing that one day I wanted to pursue my passion. I’m incredibly grateful for this opportunity and for my parents’ help." 

In 2024, Gounden began his Independent Institute of Education (IIE) Bachelor of Communication Design degree at Vega School.

His competition entry was inspired by an everyday favourite - instant noodles.

“I love instant noodles. They’re my guilty pleasure,” he laughed. 

“When I approach a project, I like to start by thinking about all the problems before the solutions. With noodle packaging, I asked questions like: is it difficult to open, are the instructions hard to read, and what happens to the packaging once it’s thrown away?”

Gounden considered how foil lined disposable packaging often does not enter proper recycling streams and could end up polluting the environment and the ocean. He also thought about the user experience.

“I like my instant noodles a bit soupy, which can get messy with splashing,” he said. 

“So, I asked myself: why not create packaging that’s simple and eye catching, solves these issues, and is most importantly biodegradable?”

As part of his research, Gounden explored countries where instant ramen noodles are a staple food and investigated biodegradable materials currently being used by companies.

“I learnt about seaweed and mycelium, which is a fungus. When infused into paper, these materials allow packaging to be recycled, and even if it ends up in the ocean or soil, it disintegrates within days without harming the environment. Once the packaging is opened, it unfolds into a placemat, which improves convenience while reducing waste." 

He also ensured the ink used on the packaging aligned with the sustainability ethos of the design.

“I used only two colours on natural, un-inked paper, with natural dyes that won’t affect the recycling process. I believe that the amount of thought businesses put into their product should be matched by the same level of care and consideration for their packaging." 

Burnett praised both his talent and mindset.

“Joash is undoubtedly one of the most talented students I’ve ever worked with. More than that, he has a real can-do attitude when it comes to problem solving, along with a unique perspective on his design solutions - something that doesn’t come around often. I’m incredibly proud of him and can see an exciting future for him in design and branding." 

She said industry recognised competitions gave students the opportunity to stand out from their peers through meaningful achievements in their creative portfolios, making them more employable and desirable to top creative teams locally and internationally. 

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