- Participation in competitions should be a natural path to professional maturity - emphasizes one of the Jury members of the 13th Student Zone Contest, in which students presented their works at the International Packaging Innovations Trade Fair on the 9th-10th of October at EXPO Kraków.

The contest which aims to promote young packaging designers began in January. Participants had the opportunity to submit their works in the first stage of the competition in three categories: Functionality and Form, Graphic Design and Impression. This year, for the first time, students from foreign universities were able to submit their projects. In the first stage of the contest, the jury consisting of: Dariusz Chwierut - Marketing Director of Wawel S.A., Lena Pianovska - a member of the Board of the Association of Polish Graphic Designers (STGU), Beata Pyś-Skrońska - Director of the Polish Chamber of Packaging, Krzysztof Skrobot - Director of the Polish Chamber of Flexographers, Beata Wielgat - Marketing Manager Alfa-Print - publishers of the magazines "Poligrafika" and "Opakowanie", selected four finalists from each category. The lucky 12 received an invitation to participate in the next stage of the contest.

The second stage of the competition took place at the 16th edition of PACKAGING Innovations on October 9th this year at EXPO Kraków. This time, the finalists presented their works in person to a group of event participants in a specially prepared zone. The jury did not have an easy task, because all the projects were at a very high level. – We can see that there are more and more competition entries and they aspire not only to the economy of our local market but also to global trends – emphasized Krzysztof Niczyporuk – President of the Polish Chamber of Packaging.

Face-to-face meetings are a priority for young designers. – First of all, you can introduce yourself at such meetings as a person, not just as a project. During cooperation, it is important to speak the same language with the client, which is why meeting in person is so important – emphasized Amelia Cel. Julia Janur has a similar opinion – During this event, I had the opportunity to talk about my project many times, but also to find out what the people who approached us and asked about my project did. Face-to-face meetings make it easier to establish these relationships.

The Student Zone is also a chance for young designers to get to know the industry from the inside, as emphasized by Marta Baraniecka – During these two days, I met many people, including exhibitors, who talked to us while viewing our projects, giving their suggestions for changes in the presented solutions. In addition, they presented us with ideas that we can use in our future projects.

On the 10th of October this year, the results of the 13th edition of the contest were announced on the Main Stage of PACKAGING Innovations.

The jury, consisting of Lena Pianovska – member of the Management Board of STGU, Dorota Piwowarska – Senior Category Manager of Wawel S.A., Beata-Pyś-Skrońska – Director of the Polish Chamber of Packaging, Krzysztof Skrobot – Director of the Polish Chamber of Flexographers, Beata Wielgat – Marketing Manager of Alfa-Print publishing house, selected the winners in each of the three categories. The winners received statuettes and financial prizes funded by Targi w Krakowie. In the Functionality and Form category, Julia Janur was awarded for the project "Packaging intended for small fruits"; in the Graphic Design category, Marta Baraniecka – for the project "Chocolate packaging supporting motor functions in autistic children"; and in the Impression category, Anita Biela was awarded for her "Tampon packaging design for the fictional Comfy brand".

This year's novelty was the special award of the competition funded by the Association of Polish Graphic Designers - participation in the STGU Mentoring Program - which was received by Amelia Cel for "Collective packaging with an HIV test". For the first time in the history of the competition, this year's winners were also nominated for the WPO WorldStar Student Awards competition organized by the World Packaging Organization (WPO).

- All submitted works were very interesting, innovative, and creative. Thank you for coming to Krakow and spending these two days in our city. During the trade fair, you met with the recipients of your works, I hope you met potential clients, partners, and maybe future employers. This competition aims to make it easier for you to start your professional life and contact the industry. I wish you that your works will enter the market very quickly - emphasized Ewa Woch, Vice President of Targi w Krakowie Ltd. during the award ceremony awards.

The growing number of project applications that highlight very important social issues, such as developmental disorders or venereal diseases, is proof that universities educate people who are not only creative and talented but also aware of the needs of the users of their packaging. - Many projects can be implemented immediately, and several of them are also very much needed - emphasizes Lena Pianovska, member of the STGU Board.

The 16th International Packaging Trade Fair Packaging Innovations brought many changes. One of them was the expansion of the event formula to additional formats such as the Career Zone, the Networking Zone, or the development of those known from previous editions, i.e. conferences and exhibitions. The fair has become a space where business and education, experience, and youth intertwine. In the next edition of the event, which will officially take place as the Packaging Innovations Forum, participants will have even more opportunities to get inspiration, gain knowledge, and, above all, establish fruitful contacts! Participation in the event certainly gives the courage to bring projects hidden in drawers to the light of day!