Student retail design awards

ABOUT OUR AWARDS

Every year, students from universities & colleges around the country compete by answering LIVE retail design briefs set by top retailers & brands. The competition is open to any student currently studying design in higher education.

With cash prizes, summer work placements and exposure to top design agencies, the competition offers invaluable experience in the fast-paced world of retail design, providing unrivalled portfolio content & industry experience, making it the premier competition for students considering a retail design career.

Important information

FAQs

Judging criteria

AGENCY MENTORING

With an in-person mentoring programme provided by the best UK retail design agencies, the standard is consistently high and many entrants go on to land internships and jobs within our industry.

WHY GET INVOLVED?

There are a number of benefits for students to enter the Awards focused around future employability and gaining industry experience. The Awards give students invaluable experience of how the retail design industry works and our network of mentors can work with your University to guide them through the process.

Work submitted can be included in student portfolios to help their work stand out from other graduates looking to work in the design industry.

ThE PROCESS

Briefs for the competition are set by top retailers & brands and are tailored to each university, according to individual course discipline & learning outcomes.

Built into the curriculum and supported by agency mentors, students work through the brief as part of their coursework.

At the end of their module, once concepts have been finalised, local winners are selected by the retailer and agency, winning a cash prize and qualifying for the national final in London and the famous POPAI Dragon's Den, more information below.

ENTRY EXAMPLES

DRAGON'S DEN

Finalists from each brief will be whisked off to London at POPAI's expense and pitch their concepts to our dragon’s, comprised of top agencies and the brief-setters. Entrants tell us this is one of their favourite elements and gives them invaluable industry experience.

The overall winner will be selected on the day and will win £1,000 cash prize, as well as the title of 'POPAI Student Design Award WINNER', which has for the last 15+ years resulted in internship & job offers!

Winners are announced at our annual industry awards dinner,
with an audience of 550+ industry professionals.
all finalists receive a cash prize.

INSTITUTIONS INVOLVED INCLUDE