Starpack, "the UK packaging industry's most prestigious awards," celebrates its 50th anniversary this year and has made their 2009 picks. Below are two of our faves:

Best Brand Design - Gold Award Ariel Excel Gel Structural Packaging by StudioDavis (with Procter & Gamble WE Design Team)

Innovative, distinctive and compact, the Pebble Pack for Ariel Excel Gel [features a] PP dosing cap that can be removed from the body of the pack and an integrated 'visi-strip' provide consumer friendliness, while the pack has created a modern and iconic silhouette with a sense of compactness. Pebble Pack uses up to 45% less packaging compared with the current Ariel common dilute liquid. The valve and flip-top closure help minimise messiness while communicating quick and easy dispensing.

Best Drinks Design - Gold Award Jack Daniels Perforated Tin by Brown Forman

Technically innovative, the part vertical perforation of the body sidewall, gives a glimpse of the iconic Jack Daniels bottle inside. It features 9,000 perforated holes running from top to bottom with 4,500 in each of the two sections that are perforated. Just 50% of the container is perforated to create a stunning gift pack. By only perforating half of the square container the design provides an ideal background for quality black print on the metallic surface. The design is finished off with an embossed logo.

Three Starpack Awards (Gold, Silver, Bronze) are given within six categories: Brand Design, Food Design, Drinks Design, Health and Beauty Design, Household Design, and Luxury Product Design. Check 'em all out here.