Section
Inspiration Gallery
2026 Finalists and Entries
About the Challenge
The 2026 Design Challenge asked students to design 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.
Finalists
The finalists are in order by school.
Finalists
Dāt
California Polytechnic State University
Designers:
- Tyler Innes,
- Marissa Johnston,
- Izack Padilla,
- Edison Chow,
- Halina Herc,
- Aviv Kesar,
- Samantha Heintz
Advisors:
- Irene Carbonell,
- Javier de la Fuente,
- Linh Toscani
Finalists
Tempus
California Polytechnic State University
Designers:
- Audrey Walch,
- Lillian Darby,
- William Barton,
- Annabelle Howell,
- Natalia Celebrini,
- Jordan Forer
Advisors:
- Irene Carbonell,
- Javier de la Fuente,
- Linh Toscani
Finalists
Pacha Cacao
Rochester Institute of Technology
Designers:
- Ava Moran,
- Natalie Randolph,
- Joanne Tong,
- Emily Zhao,
- Max Mazgelis
Advisors:
- Lorrie Frear,
- Irma Abu-Jumah,
- Carlos Dias-Acosta
Entries
Aesop's Garden
Laguna College of Art & Design
Designers:
- David Maciel,
- Isabelle Nguyen,
- Steven Wu
Ancre Confections
Michigan State University
Designers:
- Eve Salenbien,
- Ben Pham,
- Michael Puglia,
- Malerie Ferrier
apere
Laguna College of Art & Design
Designers:
- Will Colton,
- Erin Garcia,
- Cole Stecher
Armonia Dolce
Michigan State University
Designers:
- Maya Estell,
- Noah Wool,
- Nate Korff,
- Nolan Newash
Aurelius & Co
Virginia Tech
Designers:
- YuanYuan Alivia Jiang,
- Sam Wazenski,
- Souhaib Elmi
Bazaar
Laguna College of Art & Design
Designers:
- Madison Allen,
- Trio Quizon,
- Pascal De La Peña
Bo's Swedish Confectionary
Fashion Institute of Technology
Designers:
- Mia Jones,
- Melissa Lala,
- Sara Butcher
Bucolina
California Polytechnic State University
Designers:
- Nicole Choothakan,
- Keira Bensky,
- Exra Garcia,
- Erin Wang,
- Jillian Noel,
- Kiley Gustin,
- Shrishti Dutta
Carvelle
Laguna College of Art & Design
Designers:
- Stacy Maldonado,
- Kyle Limoli,
- Raquel Renzulli
Chocolate Shelf
Indiana State University
Designers:
- Brady Hauer,
- Matthew Branson
Choux
Virginia Tech
Designers:
- Malayna Cherbaka,
- Becca Harvey,
- Lilly Treible
Dorée
Appalachian State University
Designers:
- Katherine Francisco
Elestia
Rochester Institute of Technology
Designers:
- Ashley Persia,
- Nandini Haria,
- Grace Zinecker,
- Catherine Fillip,
- Aianna Kettavong
Elixir
Laguna College of Art & Design
Designers:
- Charlotte Gash,
- Alessandra Nitoglia,
- Bridget Fleming
EnRitual
California Polytechnic State University
Designers:
- Emma Powers,
- Katelyn Niles,
- Eli Gorona,
- Jaida Ho,
- Mena Kim,
- Emily McFarlane,
- Maxine Nomura
Ever Bar Co.
San Jose State University
Designers:
- Madison Woo,
- Sana Haq,
- Owen Tran
Golden Palm Chocolates
Michigan State University
Designers:
- Sophia Joseph,
- Emily Arcienega,
- Rich Miller,
- Sage Lin,
- Carter Kemmerling
gúmmí
Rochester Institute of Technology
Designers:
- Emma Kobelia,
- Ellinor Edstrom,
- Isla Marija Bukow,
- Lawson Ribbeck,
- Zoe Heffernan
Klé
University of Houston
Designers:
- Julio Garcia,
- Dominique Pineda
Komorebi
Virginia Tech
Designers:
- Abigail Nguyen,
- Jasmine Ferdinand,
- Chapin Henry,
- Aidan Lewis
Mary's Macarons
University of Wisconsin, Stout
Designers:
- Ava Franco,
- Sophia Marlow,
- Sophie Simmer
Melina Honey Candies
Rochester Institute of Technology
Designers:
- Hannah Meyer,
- Ava Guarino,
- Jiya Naryani,
- Ella Schroll,
- Amnia Davila
Miam Gourmet Nougats
Fashion Institute of Technology
Designers:
- Zoe Hernandez,
- Abigail Seplavy,
- Mikaela Smith
orchrd
Rochester Institute of Technology
Designers:
- Edda Chartier,
- Sofia Santiago,
- Cameron Pereira,
- Bella Hope,
- Ian Field,
- Jack Knight
Ore Crystal Candy
Pennsylvania College of Art & Design
Designers:
- Emma Ries,
- Kenzie Myers,
- Nicolas Pujato,
- Shay Thomas,
- Paul Bonilla,
- Rebecca Ostrum,
- Madison Klomp
PYRAMID D'OR CONFECTIONARY
University of Wisconsin, Stout
Designers:
- Rebecca Koszarek,
- Lillian Hullopeter,
- Cody Bender
QILI Tanghulu
University of Houston
Designers:
- Jillian Nguyen
Rocky's Chocolate
University of Wisconsin, Stout
Designers:
- Samuel Krohn,
- Carter Vrieze,
- Luka Sunjic
Sablé Cookie Flight
Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University)
Designers:
- Naomi Pareja,
- Emma Pereira
Scribe
Michigan State University
Designers:
- Kyle Hudas,
- Ethan Stoddard
Sen Confectionary
Humber Polytechnic
Designers:
- Trang Anh Vu,
- Kyoka Tohyama,
- Vivial Luong,
- Regine Lewis
Shoko
Virginia Tech
Designers:
- Elliott Bryan,
- Roan Toole,
- Owen Walker
Terra Premium World Coffee Bonbons
Fashion Institute of Technology
Designers:
- Madeline Balsamo,
- Elizabeth Ton That,
- Yancy Ayala
The Infusion Collective
Virginia Tech
Designers:
- Rylee Witt,
- Lea Wilson,
- Jaden Li
Thyrsus
Virginia Tech
Designers:
- Jacob Camarata,
- Sydney Dechow,
- Kes Shallbetter,
- Emma Keiser
Tri-Buro Delect
Fashion Institute of Technology
Designers:
- Paul Vorbeck,
- Frederick Stengel,
- Nicanor Molina-Walsh
Wisconfectionary
University of Wisconsin, Stout
Designers:
- Erik Lewis,
- Claire Le,
- Tyler Berend
Yugen
Virginia Tech
Designers:
- Olivia Johnson,
- Skylor White,
- Jack Davison
Zaira Kulfi
University of Houston
Designers:
- Tania Vega,
- Naisha Khimani