Coffee Design
Coffee Design Awards
Official WebsiteThe Coffee Design Awards, hosted by the Specialty Coffee Association, recognize excellence in specialty coffee branding, packaging, and interior design. Judged on innovation, sustainability, and functionality, the competition highlights how visual storytelling and physical environments enhance the coffee experience. Winners are showcased annually at global events like the Specialty Coffee Expo and World of Coffee.
Key Takeaways
- The awards recognize design as a functional tool for distinguishing specialty coffee brands through visual personality and storytelling.
- Sustainability is a core judging metric, particularly in the Packaging category, where material choice and environmental impact are scrutinized.
- The competition has evolved from the 'Design Lab Showcase' to a permanent digital and physical platform hosted by the Specialty Coffee Association.
- Successful entries often use color and typography to communicate flavor notes and origin information, reducing consumer confusion at the point of sale.
The Coffee Design Awards, hosted by the Specialty Coffee Association, recognize excellence in specialty coffee branding, packaging, and interior design. Judged on innovation, sustainability, and functionality, the competition highlights how visual storytelling and physical environments enhance the coffee experience. Winners are showcased annually at global events like the Specialty Coffee Expo and World of Coffee.
About
The Coffee Design Awards, organized by the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA), recognize and celebrate excellence in coffee packaging, branding, and design. The awards honor the creative work that supports the coffee industry, from coffee bag design and labeling to cafe branding and visual identity. The Coffee Design Awards highlight the intersection of coffee quality and visual communication, acknowledging that design plays a crucial role in how consumers discover, experience, and connect with specialty coffee.
Format and Rules
The Coffee Design Awards evaluate coffee packaging and branding across multiple categories. Categories include: Best Coffee Bag Design, Best Label Design, Best Brand Identity, Best Cafe Design, Best Packaging Sustainability, and Best Digital Presence. Entries are judged by a panel of design professionals, coffee industry experts, and branding specialists. Judging criteria include visual appeal, brand cohesion, sustainability of materials, innovation, clarity of communication, and market differentiation. Entrants must be SCA members and submit physical samples of their packaging along with digital brand assets. The awards are presented annually at the SCA Expo, with winners receiving industry recognition and display at the SCA pavilion.
Details
- Organizer
- Specialty Coffee Association (SCA)
- First Held
- 2015
- Frequency
- Annual (held at the SCA Expo)
Notable Winners
Related Book Chapters
- Chapter 10: Coffee Competitions
- Chapter 12: Coffee Culture and Marketing
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Keith E. Lyons
Author, Researcher & Coffee Educator
Keith E. Lyons is the author of The Complete World of Coffee and the publisher behind Lyons Den Publishing. A licensed trauma therapist turned specialty coffee writer, Keith blends scientific rigor with genuine passion for the craft of coffee.
Last Reviewed
August 10, 2026
Sources & References
(3)Claims are cited to verifiable sources. Peer-reviewed research is marked.
- 1Specialty Coffee Association (official awards documentation)
- 2SCA Expo historical records
- 3Coffee Design Awards press releases
Authoritative References
Editorial Standards
- • Fact-checked against peer-reviewed coffee science research and industry standards.
- • Reviewed by the author with documented sources for every factual claim.
- • Updated regularly; the "Last Reviewed" date reflects the most recent verification.
- • Corrections are made promptly when new research or evidence emerges.
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