iF DESIGN and The Dieline Announce New Award Cooperation Elevating Global Packaging Design Excellence

Beginning with DIELINE Awards 2025 and 2026, winning projects will be invited to enter the iF DESIGN AWARD 2027 by bypassing the standard entry fee and moving directly into the competition’s Final Jury round, taking place in February 2027. Winners of The Dieline Awards 2026 will be announced on May 1, following a submission deadline in mid-March.

Through this partnership, The Dieline becomes only the second U.S.–based award partner of iF DESIGN – alongside AIA New York – and one of a select group of just over a dozen partners worldwide.

The cooperation brings together two influential platforms that share a commitment to elevating design impact, sustainability, and innovation. With its global readership and reputation for showcasing the most forward-thinking work in packaging, DIELINE has long served as a window into the field’s evolving role in branding, materials, and environmental responsibility.

“Packaging is one of the eight disciplines recognized by the iF DESIGN AWARD – and one of the fastest-growing, with sustainability at its core,” said Lisa Gralnek, US Managing Director and Global Head of Sustainability & Impact at iF Design. “Establishing a partnership with The Dieline makes tremendous sense. Together, we are amplifying the value of great work across two of the most respected international award programs in the industry.”

The relationship builds on conversations that began last year between the two organizations, as both teams aligned timelines, categories, and jury processes to ensure meaningful benefits for designers.

Gralnek, a longtime advocate for sustainable design, added that packaging represents a uniquely powerful opportunity for change: “It is often the place where designers can create outsized impact for relatively low cost and risk, whether through materials, form, reuse, or systems thinking. That makes it an especially exciting space for recognition and cross-platform visibility.”

“At DIELINE, our mission has always been to elevate packaging design and the designers who are shaping its future,” said Andrew Gibbs, Founder of DIELINE. “Partnering with iF DESIGN creates a powerful new pathway for our award winners to gain global recognition at the highest level. By connecting two respected international platforms, we are not only celebrating exceptional creative work, but also reinforcing the critical role packaging plays in driving sustainability, innovation, and meaningful brand experiences worldwide.”

The new cooperation underscores a shared mission: to celebrate excellence, spotlight responsible innovation, and help designers working in packaging gain global exposure on the world stage.

AboutDIELINE

Founded in 2007, DIELINE is the world’s leading destination for packaging design, covering trends, innovation, sustainability, and brand storytelling across industries. Through its editorial platform, global community, and annual awards program, DIELINE champions the designers and brands shaping the future of packaging.