The Paperboard Packaging Alliance (PPA) announced the winners of the 2026 Student Design Challenge. The Student Design Challenge is a yearly competition that tests students’ skills in designing creative, innovative paper-based packaging by applying them to a real-world application. PPA is a joint initiative of the American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) and the Paperboard Packaging Council (PPC).
The 2026 Design Challenge tasked students with developing an influencer PR box for a new luxury confectionery brand. Submissions had to contain and protect the retail product while elevating the user experience through an engaging, memorable unboxing moment.
Student design projects from the following schools were named as winners: 1st Place: Dāt–California Polytechnic State University; 2nd Place: Pacha Cacao–Rochester Institute of Technology; and 3rd Place: Tempus–California Polytechnic State University.
“It is inspiring to see the creativity and innovation demonstrated by this year’s winning teams and all Challenge participants,” said Heidi Brock, AF&PA President and CEO. “The Student Design Challenge encourages emerging designers to explore how sustainable materials and packaging design can advance circularity while addressing real-world packaging needs. As part of the Paperboard Packaging Alliance, we are proud to support the next generation of talent and their contributions to the future of paperboard packaging.”
“Some of the people who will shape the future of fiber-based packaging are sitting in classrooms today,” said Emily Leonczyk, President of PPC.
At the PPC Fall Meeting & Leadership Conference in Orlando, Florida, PPA also announced the theme for the 2027 Student Design Challenge, which will task students with creating the ultimate VIP fan package for the PPA International Games, hosted in a city of their choice.
