The Independent Cosmetic Manufacturers and Distributors (ICMAD) Association is proud to announce the winners in the 2016 Young Designers Awards Competition. Five students were recognized during a dinner ceremony Feb. 18 at the Island Hotel Newport Beach, CA, where keynote speaker Chris Birchby, Founder and CEO of COOLA Suncare, and himself an acclaimed artist, addressed the audience of more than 100 industry leaders.

First Place winner and recipient of a $5,000 cash prize is Nicole Shepherd, Academy of Art, Chicago, with her design, "Udder Madness".

Second Place winner and recipient of a $2,500 cash prize is Emily Lora Harris, Colorado Mesa University, with her design, "Cloak". 

Third Place winner and recipient of a $1,500 cash prize is Stephen Finley, Colorado Mesa University, with his design, "Bearded Dragon".

The winners received an all-expenses-paid trip to California to attend the Young Designers Awards Ceremony and tour three local cosmetics facilities: Benchmark Cosmetic Laboratories, Gordon Laboratories and The Beauty Collection.

"We congratulate our 2016 Young Designers winners for their artistic abilities and innovative creations," said Pamela Jo Busiek, ICMAD President and CEO. "ICMAD is honored to provide this highly-recognized milestone along the path of such promising talent that may help launch professions in cosmetics and personal care."

"It was such an honor to participate as the keynote speaker at this year's ICMAD Young Designers Awards ceremony and a pleasure to have the chance to encourage the paths of growing artists," said Birchby. "To be recognized as a role model for aspiring designers and innovators in the cosmetics and personal care industry is a humbling opportunity and one we at COOLA Suncare were so grateful to experience."

In addition, two Honorable Mentions were present to be recognized and awarded a $500 cash prize each:
Esther Betancourt, University of Las Vegas Nevada, with her design, "Tey Makeup Remover Lotion."
Sarah El Mouden, Miami International University of Art & Design, with her design, "DOCs Orders."

The winners 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 Awards program was made possible in large part thanks to East Hill Industries, Inc. Additional sponsors included: Collcap Packaging, CIS, Masterpiece International, Nosco, Beauty Packaging, happi, PartnerShip, webpackaging, beautypress.com, and ABC Printing Company.

2016 Young Designers judges were: Greg Chambers, CEO, Gordon Laboratories, Inc., Jani Friedman, VP, Dermstore, Chris James, VP, East Hills Industries, Inc. and Lindsay Pedder, VP Marketing, Joico.

Learn more about the Young Designers program clicking on the link above and view our 2016 Young Designers Photo Gallery. [NOTE: Photo credit: ICMAD/Jessica Sterling Photographer]

Photo 1 LtR:
Nicole Shepherd, Academy of Art, Chicago, "Udder Madness"
Esther Betancourt, University of Las Vegas Nevada, "Tey Makeup Remover Lotion”
Stephen Finley, Colorado Mesa University, "Bearded Dragon"
Sarah El Mouden, Miami International University of Art & Design"DOCs Orders."
Emily Lora Harris, Colorado Mesa University, "Cloak"

Photo 2:
1st Place Winner: Nicole Shepherd, Academy of Art, Chicago, with her design, "Udder Madness"

Photo 3:
LtR: Dr. Robb Akridge, Clarisonic; Pam Busiek, ICMAD; Chris Birchby, COOLA Suncare