Model Young Package 2026
Model Young Package 2026 is now open for entries!
Model Young Package, largest competition of its kind in the world has been recently opened for entries in its 2026 edition, inviting all students and designers of any age to participate.
Short description
Model Young Package 2026, largest competition of its kind in the world, now is calling for entries!
Model Young Package is a global design competition connecting emerging talents with experienced packaging professionals. This year’s theme, Unpacking Taboo, invites you to challenge conventions and explore what’s often left unspoken.
Design packaging that goes beyond protection — create a paper-based prototype that sparks dialogue, breaks stigmas, and brings sensitive topics into everyday life. Think of intimate care, sexual wellness products, household items free from stereotypes or mental health support. Your design should be functional, respectful, and socially aware.
You can submit your prototype for one of the two categories:
➜ High School Students: Students of secondary schools and higher vocational schools aged 15 to 21, who are not enrolled in a university.
➜ University Students and Designers: University students, adult learners and professional designers
Whether box, bag, can or tube: The intended material of the packaging must be paper or fibre based, recyclable and/or reusable – preferably corrugated or solid cardboard. Other materials can be used as additional material. The competition prototype must not contain any real food, medicines, or nutritional supplements. Empty boxes, bottles, cans or bags acting as a packed product are approved.
Following a pre-selection of all entries by the packaging specialists, shortlisted competitors will be contacted to deliver physical prototypes in April 2026.
The jury will evaluate your physical protoype, in particular:
➜ the innovation and creativity of packaging design
➜ design creativity and visual look
➜ the functionality of the packaging
➜ packaging ergonomics
➜ production capability
➜ sustainability
➜ the quality of prototype processing
The shortlisted designs will be announced online and a public online voting for the top of the best will be initiated. Together with the jury's favorites, the winners will take part in the Professional Challenge. Here you compete against renowned top designers & develop a production-ready packaging according to real customer requirements.
The traditional award ceremony will take place in September-October 2026 where the winners will be honored in the presence of leading designers and managers from the cosmetics and packaging industry – the perfect opportunity to connect with inspiring individuals and enhance your career prospects.
Submission requirements:
➜ The pdf file must include the title and photos of the prototype (no more than 5), a structural design blueprint and an English description.
➜ The final pdf size should not exceed 10 MB.
Who may enter?
Talented designers aged 15 years or older. You can participate individually, or in a team (up to 5 participants per team). If you are competing together in a team, it is only necessary for one of you to submit the prototype.
Prize:
There is a total of 29,000 Euros in prize money for the winners. All winners will also receive an invitation to the traditional award ceremony.
Furthermore, you can qualify for the Professional Challenge. Here you compete against renowned top designers & develop a production-ready packaging according to real customer requirements.
➜ 1st place: Up to 6,000 EUR (Prize money varies depending on category)
➜ 2nd place: Up to 4,000 EUR (Prize money varies depending on category)
➜ 3rd place: Up to 2,000 EUR (Prize money varies depending on category)
➜ Online Award: 1,000 EUR
➜ Chairman of the Jury‘s Award: 500 EUR
➜ Innovation Centre Award: 500 EUR
Entry fees:
There is no entry fee to participate!
