Summer 2026 - SHORTLISTED

Pao Pao Tea

Pao Pao Tea is a packaging and identity system created by Australian designer Emily Ko around the culture and energy of Taiwanese tea. The concept responds to the waste and inconvenience associated with ready-to-drink beverages by developing a recyclable, portable carton system. Stylized Chinese typography, a playful wordmark, and expressive illustrations establish a youthful visual identity intended for an urban consumer audience. The identity expands across multiple flavors using distinct color and icon systems while maintaining a consistent brand language. The project demonstrates how packaging can simultaneously address functionality, sustainability, and cultural storytelling rather than treating the package simply as a container. Ko graduated from Billy Blue College of Design in 2024 and is now working as a junior designer, making this particularly aligned with an emerging-designer award profile.