The Independent Cosmetic Manufacturers & Distributors Association (ICMAD) has to announced that six schools of art and design will join in the 2010 ICMAD Young Designers Competition.

“The schools involved in this year’s program boast some of the finest design departments in the country,” says ICMAD President Pamela Busiek of CBI Laboratories, Inc. “We look forward to the innovative designs their fine young students will produce.”

The schools participating in this year’s program are: The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL; The American Academy of Art, Chicago, IL; Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising, Los Angeles, CA; Fashion Institute of Technology, New York, NY; Miami International University of Art & Design, Miami, FL; and The Academy of Art University, San Francisco, CA.

The Young Designers competition, created in 1999, showcases the extraordinary talents of students studying package design.

The goal of the Young Designers competition is to encourage and develop future creative talent. Judging criteria for packaging include uniqueness, ability to be reproduced economically, ability to stand out favorably against competitive packages, ease of use and ease of storage. A prestigious panel of cosmetic and personal care packaging design experts will judge the competition. Each student receives an 8 oz. recycled tube, which was donated by ICMAD member World Wide Packaging. The students are asked to create any type of product for the body, such as a moisturizer, lotion or skin care. They can create the brand, such as product name, descriptive copy and net weights.

“The Young Designers focuses on encouraging up-and-coming talent and honors those whose innovative achievements set them apart in this highly competitive industry,” adds Busiek.

Presenter and eco-jewelry designer Katy Leakey, founder of the Leakey Collection, will present the Young Designers awards in New York City on September 29 at a dinner hosted by ICMAD. Three students will be recognized with a first prize of $2,500, second prize of $1,500 and third prize of $1,000.

Sponsorship opportunities for Young Designers are still available. For information on sponsorships, companies should call the ICMAD executive offices at 847-991-4499.