One could argue that a great product would be nothing without great packaging. In the same way that a logo conveys the essence of a company, packaging conveys the essence of a product. In order for a product to stand apart from the masses, it must be distinctive and visually arresting, while also keeping in mind practicality and the unique demands of protecting and selling the product. Exceptional packaging requires a delicate and creative touch, qualities we were seeking in our Packaging category, in a call for "all graphic design, branding and structural designs related to the packaging of products."

Our Jury Captain this year for the Packaging category was Somchana Kangwarnjit, Founder of Prompt Design. Joining him on the Packaging Team was Derrick Lin, Founder of Packaging of the World, Fumi Sasada, President and CEO of Bravis, and Takaki Mori, President and Founder of Design Force and Bond Creative.

"There are many excellent projects from professionals and students that we are impressed by and have great potential in the market." Said Jury Captain Somchana Kangwarnjit.

"It was both refreshing and interesting to look at this year's entries," said Derrick Lin, before detailing his own judging criteria. "Function before design, or design before function, that is the question I ask myself every time I look at each design. Good design is the balance of both aesthetics, functionality, vision toward the intended audiences."

Lin was impressed with both the Professional and Student projects, "The overall quality of the professional entries is both commendable and interesting, especially the usage of materials and aspiration of the structures. The student entries are without boundaries, and most of them demonstrate unique thoughts behind each design and the aspiration of the processes."

Fumi Sasada admired the fact that both the Professional and Student entries "looked very similar" and that "even the Student works had excellent ideas."

Core77 would like to express our deepest gratitude to the entire Packaging Jury Team for recognizing the following projects: