The Independent Cosmetic Manufacturers and Distributors (ICMAD) Association has announced the three student finalists and two honorable mentions in its 2016 Young Designers Awards Competition.

Last year’s winners (left-right) Kyle Newkirk, Pennsylvania College of Art & Design (3rd place), Chaz Dean, WEN, Ajalique Chapman, Colorado Mesa University (2nd place) and Travis Cuellar, FIDM San Francisco (first place). Photo credit: ICMAD

Finalists and honorable mentions were selected among more than 135 student participants from 14 schools competing in the annual program that fosters excellence in graphic and packaging design among colleges and universities nationwide.

The 2016 Young Designers Finalists in alphabetical name order:

 Stephen Finley from Colorado Mesa University

 Emily Lora Harris from Colorado Mesa University

 Nicole Shepherd from Academy of Art, Chicago

The 2016 Young Designers Honorable Mentions:

 Esther Betancourt from University of Las Vegas Nevada

 Sarah El Mouden from Miami International University of Art &
Design

Finalists will receive an all-expenses-paid trip to California to attend the Young Designers Awards Ceremony at the Island Hotel Newport Beach, on February 18, where the winners will be revealed.

Our Young Designers program encourages and develops future creative talent for the beauty industry by tapping into the higher education system and providing realworld experience,” said Pamela Jo Busiek, ICMAD President and CEO. “This is a visionary way for ICMAD to help shape and ensure emerging creativity and ability among students to pursue an in-demand profession in cosmetics and personal care.

ICMAD established the program in 1999 to showcase the talents of college-level students studying graphic and package design. The Young Designers Competition recognizes the best design students through their creativity and ingenuity on an original cosmetic package project representative of the industry.

Students participating in this year’s competition each received a clear 8 oz. plastic bottle donated by East Hill Industries, Inc. and Collcap Packaging. Professors are provided instructions for incorporating the competition and project into their classroom curriculum or as an extra-curricular activity.

A panel of judges, selected for their expertise in the package design field, evaluates all entries and determines finalists and winners. This year’s judges are: Greg Chambers, CEO, Gordon Laboratories, Inc., Jani Friedman, VP, Dermstore, Chris James, VP, East Hills Industries, Inc. and Lindsay Pedder, VP Marketing, Joico.

The winners will receive cash awards for First Place, Second Place,and Third Place, plus two cash prizes for the Honorable Mention recipients.