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2026 Student Design Challenge Winners Announced

Paper packaging is sustainable and recyclable. This year's Design Challenge asked students to design an influencer PR box for an original luxury confectionery brand that holds the retail product inside.

CalPoly's Dāt earned first place, with RIT taking second and another CalPoly team placing third. 

View the winning projects, meet the Honorable Mention teams, and explore the full gallery of innovative designs.

See the 2026 Winners

Each year, the Paperboard Packaging Alliance (PPA) challenges students across North America in leading sustainable packaging design programs to show off their design skills, innovative capacity and savvy in meeting real-world customer needs and marketing scenarios.

Key Dates

2026 Challenge Announced

December 2025

2026 Challenge Announced

Fiber-based packaging is sustainable and recyclable. To increase its use, this year's Design Challenge asks students to design an influencer PR box for an original luxury confectionery brand that holds the retail product inside.

Intent Forms Due

February 16, 2026

Intent Forms Due

Submission Deadline

June 5, 2026

Submission Deadline

Entries Closed! 

2026 Winners Announced

September 30 - October 2, 2026

2026 Winners Announced

The winners of the 2026 challenge will be announced at the Paperboard Packaging Council's 2026 Fall Meeting & Leadership Conference from September 30 to October 2 in Orlando, Florida. 

View the Gallery
1st Place

1st Place

$10,500 to the team

$10,000 to the school

2nd Place

2nd Place

$8,300 to the team

$8,000 to the school 

3rd Place

3rd Place

$6,650 to the team

$6,500 to the school

Earn cash prizes and bragging rights

The top 3 finalist teams are invited and expected to present their designs at the Paperboard Packaging Council's 2026 Fall Meeting & Leadership Conference from September 30 to October 2 in Orlando, Florida.