The Young Designers competition was established in 1999 to celebrate students' extraordinary talents and foster the creativity and innovation of future package design.

The competition encourages young talent by awarding the best design students around the country through their creativity and ingenuity.

The perfect opportunity for your student to build their portfolio!

Submissions should contain the 3-D package provided by IBA as the primary design element with the outside package being the secondary design element. The description of the product and promotional photos are also part of the submission. Students should choose their own materials. This should be an original brand and/or product name.

The final submission information will be provided at a later date via email to the faculty contact. Complete the entry form to register your campus and students.

 

Conceptualize + Design Product

Students will design the label and outer packaging of two container options, generously provided by our sponsor, East Hill Industries, LLC, that will become a personal care product such as: shampoo, conditioner, lotion, tanning lotion, hair gel, bath products, face moisturizer and more . . . use your imagination!

It is a simple program that does not require a lot of class time or instructions from you! Give your students the information and let them work on it!

 

Why students should enter

This competition is an excellent opportunity to grow as an artist and develop their art career. They benefit in a number of ways – exposure, creativity, and even self-confidence. This is a marketing exercise for your students in a real-world environment and can provide a promotional opportunity for their skill set. Gain substantial experience, showcase skills and analyze and evaluate the outcomes of the contest while uncovering their personal aptitude.

  • Provide your students with real-world experience in design
  • Help build their portfolio
  • Working on additional incentives for the school and student
”

“Thanks to this project, I grew tremendously as a designer and learned so much about the packaging industry. Touring facilities and meeting industry-experts helped me gain valuable insight into the field and how my package could have been adjusted for increased feasibility... I had the opportunity to meet amazing people in the world of design.” – Benjamin J Haver, 2020 ICMAD

– Benjamin J Haver, 2020 ICMAD Young Designer Winner

Details

  • Rules + Regulations
    1. Only schools approved by IBA are eligible to enter the competition. Contact us for eligibility.
    2. One entry per student.
    3. Do not use known brand names. This must be original work.
    4. Students must use airless bottle container provided. (virtual submissions only in 2021 due to COVID-19)
    5. Due to shipping constraints may appear to be filled but cannot contain any contents of any kind. (virtual submissions only in 2021 due to COVID-19)
    6. Designs must represent real-world applications (i.e., barcodes, ingredient list, etc.) and be complete with a cap, labels and accessories, including an outside package. Designs may include other components of the student’s choice, such as color coatings, bases and added décor that still have some degree of practicality. Caps may be treated creatively. The principal display panel (front panel) should identify the product inside the package, as well as the selected brand name. Samples of photos are in the Dropbox for Faculty Members; link will be provided.
    7. Communications and requests for information, forms, etc. must come from the authorized faculty representative of the school. No requests and/or communication forms, etc. from individual students will be accepted.
    8. Schools must work through the IBA office for information about the competition.
    9. Student designer will submit their entry to their faculty representative. Be sure the entry is clearly identified with name of the designer and the school.
    10. Faculty representative will evaluate each design and determine if it should be submitted to the competition as a representation of the work at that school. Only those entries selected and submitted by the authorized faculty representative will be considered for the competition.
    11. IBA will retain the top five finalists package designs. All other entries will be removed from – and will not be used for purposes other than – this competition.
    12. Winning package designs become the property of IBA for the purpose of promoting this competition only.
  • Judging Criteria

    Each entry will be judged as to the effectiveness of the design for successful marketing. Please adhere to the following guidelines:

    • Complete the submission form in detail. These forms are crucial as we narrow down the finalist. Judges take great care in reading submission in understanding the direction that the student was going.
    • Follow the rules exactly
    • Use the design principals of 2D and 3D design.
    • Consideration given to sustainability and environmental friendliness
  • Finalist Prize

    Win Money.

    The five finalists chosen from the submitted entries will be awarded at the Young Designers Independent Beauty Award Event in Las Vegas, NV. Details to follow. Prizes include: First Place $5,000, Second Place $2,500 and Third Place $1,500.

    Two honorable mentions each to receive $500. PLUS your student will enjoy personal meetings with executives from the hottest beauty companies and networking opportunities with a host of top industry professionals. In addition to monetary awards for the finalists, other prizes are being worked on, such as internships with Mary Kay, Coola and other leading companies in Texas, New York and California.

  • Deadlines + Dates
    FALL

    (Timeline delayed)

    September 30  |  Turn in your Enrollment Form
    January 6 | Ship entries to IBA
    January 8 | Shipments must be received at IBA
    January 15 | Judging on Entries
    January 19 | Schools/Colleges Notified/Press Release Submitted

     

    SPRING

    January 30 | Turn in your Enrollment Form
    May 5 | Ship entries to IBA
    May 7 | Shipments must be received at IBA
    May 14 | Judging on Entries
    May 18 | Schools/Colleges Notified/Press Release Submitted

SCHOOL ENROLLMENT

One Submission Per School

Submit

PROJECT SUBMISSION

One Submission Per Student Project

Submit