Pentawards 2025 Special Award winners

In addition to Gold, Silver and Bronze winners, every year, Pentawards awards special prizes for people who have made remarkable achievements. The special prizes awarded this year include Agency of the Year, Educator of the Year, Best Newcomer, People's Choice, KURZ Best Use of Embellishment and the NXT-GEN awards.

Established has been named Design Agency of the Year, after having seven entries shortlisted and winning six trophies — including the most coveted Diamond – Best of Show. Their awarded designs include Tilt (Diamond and Gold) and Hatice Schmidt (2 Gold, 2 Silver).

Simple Packaging Studio has won the 2025 Best Newcomer Award in their first year competing, with six shortlisted entries and a Platinum Award. Their winning works are Pueblo (Food Platinum), Office Supplier (Silver), LUNÁTICO (Silver), MAKER'S MARK – NO LABEL (Bronze), and WHITECAP BITTERS (Bronze).

This award celebrates the exceptional educators who inspire and support their students to achieve remarkable success in academic and creative endeavours. This year's winner is University of the Arts London (UK), with 5 shortlisted works and 3 winning a Pentawards trophy. The winning works are: Gud Gum (Gold), Mitini (Silver) and Lemon-AID (Bronze)

In addition to professional expert opinions, we listen to the voice of the public. As part of the 2025 competition, we gave you a chance to vote for a winning entry, the People's Choice Award. 12 designs were selected and put to the vote to our community, with BOTITO by Tridimage winning people's hearts.

Designed for circular systems, BOTITO’s packaging encourages kids to rethink waste and supports environmental education. A sustainable toy that turns plastic waste into educational eco-guardians. Its packaging, inspired by a waste bin, uses 100% recycled paper pulp, making it fully recyclable and compostable.

The NXT-GEN Award recognises the best student project of the year, chosen by our International Jury. This year’s winner: Morgan Hastie (aka The Logo Lassie) from Glasgow Clyde College.

This project created bold, vibrant packaging for a family-owned hot sauce brand, celebrating its Mexican heritage while appealing to Gen Z. Inspired by Mexican textiles, ceramics, and pyramid geometry, the design uses bold typography, dynamic colours, and a contemporary layout. The result is a fiery, distinctive identity that mirrors the sauces’ intense flavours, conveys craftsmanship, and builds a strong cultural connection with a fresh, modern twist.

Alongside our Special Awards, we’re also delighted to feature a sponsored recognition, created in collaboration with our partner KURZ.

This Partner Award highlights outstanding achievement in embellishment. The awarded designs are Extra-Thick Easter Egg Packaging by Hotel Chocolat (Gold), Sentinella by Numeroquattro (Silver), and Zense by Graphic Brands (Bronze).

Congratulations to all of this year's Special Award winners. For the full list of 2025 winners, please click the button below.