Model Young Package 2026 Jury Selects the Best Designs

The Model Young Package 2026 international packaging design competition has entered its decisive stage. An expert jury made up of professionals from the fields of health, intimacy, and personal care selected the best packaging concepts responding to this year's theme, Unpacking Taboo. The competition will now continue with its second round before culminating in the awards ceremony this November in Ostrava, Czech Republic.

This year's competition attracted more than 280 packaging concepts submitted by students and designers from 37 countries. During the first stage, the expert team at Model Obaly shortlisted approximately 100 entries, whose authors were then invited to deliver physical prototypes for the final evaluation.

The jury session took place at Model Obaly's solid board production plant in Hostinné.

Before the evaluation began, the jury toured the production facility, where they gained insight into folding carton manufacturing and the technologies used to produce paper-based packaging.

The Unpacking Taboo theme challenged participants to design packaging for products and services that society often finds difficult to discuss openly. Among the most common topics were menstrual products, condoms, sex toys, intimate hygiene products, pharmaceuticals, and food packaging related to health conditions.

The jury evaluated not only the visual design and structural quality of the packaging, but also each concept's ability to challenge social taboos, encourage more open conversations about sensitive topics, and create a positive user experience.