The founders of Pentawards, Jean Jacques and Brigitte Evrard, received a trophy of honour (the Package Design Notable Achievement Award) for their career dedicated to packaging design, for creating the Pentawards as well as for their involvement in the diffusion of Japanese design worldwide during the Japan Packaging Design Association (JPDA) conference in Tokyo.
The trophy was designed by Japanese glass artist Hiroshi Mitsuishi and this was the first award given by the JPDA to non-Japanese recipients.
To close the ceremony, the Executive Committee and the JPDA members, Jacques and Evrard gave a presentation on the differences and similarities between Eastern and Western packaging, showing the distinctive characteristics of each and emphasising the importance of tapping into cultural roots, which provide an endless resource for creativity.
