Pentawards Festival returns with a programme that addresses some of the industry’s biggest challenges

Is artificial intelligence a threat to designers? How can we create more accessible design? Can we help customers tackle the cost of living crisis? What’s the best way to engage a Gen-Z audience? Whether you’re a seasoned professional or an aspiring designer, this year’s Pentawards Festival tackles some of the biggest questions facing our industry – and more.

Founded in 2007, Pentawards is a leading platform and community for packaging design. After launching its first in-person festival held last September, it will host its second annual event at the Science Museum in London on 9 November, inviting the industry to learn more about the latest challenges in design and prepare their businesses for their next projects.

At the core of the festival is a programme of talks and workshops. This includes speeches from some of our industry’s leading brands and experts. Among them are top dogs from TikTok, Wired, Pantone, Patagonia and Transport for London as well as lead keynote speaker Steven Bartlett – entrepreneur and host of The Diary of a CEO podcast. These experts will aim to leave listeners with three key takeaways to apply in their practice.

Also on offer are one-to-one meetings with global brands like Puma, Carrefour and Microsoft, and an interactive workshop with design innovation project Make a Mark. Visitors can also explore the latest offerings from leading manufacturers, including papermakers James Cropper, bottle manufacturer O-I, and UPM Raflatac – the event’s sponsor, and a leading supplier of printed label materials.

Alongside these main events will be an exclusive performance by Scottish artist Craig Black, who will demonstrate his signature acrylic fusion technique. By hand pouring layers of acrylic paint onto objects like footballs, bicycle frames and skateboards, Craig reimagines them as colourful, psychedelic sculptures.

As well as inspiring creatives, the festival offers ample opportunity for personal networking and collaboration. Last year’s attendees included founders, CEOs and other senior leaders from companies like Unilever, Design Bridge, Meta, Mars Food, Pentagram, PepsiCo, JDO, Lego, Diageo, Vault49, BBC Creative and more. It’s a chance to meet with senior brand leaders, designers, marketeers and design agencies, and expand your pool of connections. Mauro Porcini, chief design officer at PepsiCo, says: “These kinds of conferences are not just a stage to talk about innovation, but actually a stage to brainstorm, co-create and to think about new ideas, creating new perspectives and new point of views on things.”

Many readers will know Pentawards for its annual design competition. Now in its 17th year, the awards recognise the best in global packaging design, with entries judged by a line-up of over 50 experts from brands and agencies like Estée Lauder, Microsoft, Pentagram and Puma. All ticket holders are also invited to judge the People’s Choice Award. The competition has received over 30,000 entries from over 64 countries globally since launching. Winners are celebrated at an exclusive annual Gala Ceremony, and are featured in The Package Design Book, published by Taschen.

Find out more about Pentawards Festival 2023 here.