Every Oleh-Oleh Tells
A Story Of A Place
The Nusantara Packaging Experience Awards is Indonesia’s premier student packaging design competition a national platform where the next generation of designers creates real-world work, evaluated by industry professionals.
NPEA 2026 invites Indonesia’s next generation of designers to do more than preserve. The brief asks students to take a single Indonesian place, a village, a landmark, a coastline, a tradition, and reimagine the packaging of its oleh-oleh as a living experience. Augmented reality is the tool. A scan on a phone unfolds the story the packaging could not fit
For Students
Undergraduate and graduate students across Indonesia, building portfolio-grade packaging design judged by industry professionals.
For Universities
A credentialing platform that lets participating institutions demonstrate curriculum alignment with current industry practice.
For Industries
Direct access to Indonesia’s next generation of packaging design talent. Evaluated by senior practitioners. Ranked. Ready for industry.
The AR Dimension
The only national student awards in Indonesia where augmented reality and phygital design are mandatory components, not optional add-ons.
A Competition With Scale
Four dimensions that set NPEA apart from any other design competition in Indonesia.
30+
Universities
Participating institutions across Java, Bali, and beyond. A truly national footprint.
80M+
IDR Prize Pool
One of the largest prize pool for Indonesia’s student packaging designers.
10+
Award Categories
Awards come in various types like category, community, and jury.
1st
Of Its Kind
The first national AR packaging design awards in Indonesia.
30+ Universities. One Nation. One Brief. And Growing
NPEA 2026 participating institutions span Sumatra, Java, Bali, Sulawesi, and Kalimantan. Design, visual communication, packaging, and creative technology programmes from public and private universities, state polytechnics, and creative institutes.
Institutions are onboarded through April and May. A full list is on the competition site at awards.hovarlay.com
The Awards Are In Motion
Submissions are open and universities are actively participating. The 2026 cycle is underway.
Submissions Open
The 2026 competition brief has been released. Student teams are actively developing and submitting entries across all participating institutions.
Universities Participating
30+ institutions are formally enrolled. Design faculties have integrated the competition into their 2026 curriculum calendar.
Judging Panel
Senior professionals from Indonesia’s packaging, FMCG, and design industry are being confirmed as judges for the 2026 evaluation cycle.
Selective, Not Scalable
NPEA 2026 is joined by brands, packaging companies, educational institutions, and creative economy partners who see the value of investing in Indonesia’s next generation of designers. Partnerships are selective, and each one is designed in conversation.
If you are considering how your organisation might be part of NPEA 2026, we would be glad to talk.
“We work with a select group of partners whose long-term brand and innovation goals align with what NPEA represents.”
Kimming Yap, Co-Founder, HOVARLAY
- Partnerships are tailored, not tiered, no packages, only conversations.
- Each partnership is structured around genuine alignment, not inventory.
- Partners gain meaningful proximity to Indonesia’s most credible student design platform.
- The right partnership creates signal for your brand, talent pipeline, and industry position.
Tell us about your interest
We will respond within 2 working days with next steps.
Message us for a quick conversation
Prefer a direct message? Tap below to open a pre-filled WhatsApp conversation with the NPEA team.
An International Panel For Packaging, Brand And AR Excellence.
An international panel of packaging designers, brand strategists, AR practitioners, and creative economy leaders.
*Every entry is judged anonymously. Judges do not see student names, universities or personal identifiers during scoring. Scores are aggregated and moderated before final rankings.
For Press And Media Inquiries
Fact sheet, logos, high-resolution imagery and spokesperson contact for NPEA 2026 coverage.
Press Kit
Contact Us To Download The NPEA 2026 Press Kit
Includes logo pack, jury photos, hero imagery, fact sheet PDF, and event description.
NPEA 2026 - Fact Sheet
Event
Nusantara Packaging Experience Awards 2026 (NPEA 2026)
Format
National student competition, entirely digital submission
Theme
Oleh-Oleh Nusantara — Gifts of the Archipelago
Eligibility
Enrolled university and polytechnic students in Indonesia
Institutions
30+ universities across Indonesia and growing
Submissions
1 April – 31 July 2026
Judging
August 2026
Ceremony
Late August 2026 — location announced July
Organiser
HOVARLAY Pte. Ltd.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Nusantara Packaging Experience Awards?
NPEA is Indonesia’s first national student competition for AR-powered packaging design. Students reimagine oleh-oleh gift packaging, rooted in a real Indonesian place, and enhance it with an augmented reality experience that tells the story of that place. The competition runs annually, with the 2026 edition involving 30+ participating universities across the archipelago.
Who organises NPEA 2026?
NPEA is organised by HOVARLAY Pte. Ltd., a Singapore-incorporated experience technology company working across Singapore and Indonesia. HOVARLAY’s no-code AR platform is used by brands and educational institutions throughout Southeast Asia.
When is the awards ceremony?
The NPEA 2026 awards ceremony is scheduled for late August 2026. Exact date and location will be announced in July.
How does partnership work?
Partnerships are designed individually in conversation. Start with a short enquiry through the form on this page, or book a 20-minute introductory call. Our team responds with a partnership deck and next steps within 2 working days.
Is NPEA affiliated with any government body?
NPEA engages with Indonesian creative economy agencies, educational institutions, and industry bodies as partners. Current institutional partners are listed as they confirm. (Update once partners are signed.)
Can students from universities not on the list still enter?
The participating university list is growing through April and May. Students at institutions not yet listed should contact the NPEA team to discuss joining before 31 July.
Where can I see submitted work?
Shortlisted entries will be published on awards.hovarlay.com during the August judging period. Finalist galleries are open to public viewing, and the People’s Choice Award is voted by the public.
Be Part Of
Nusantara Packaging
Experience Awards 2026
For Brands and Institutions
Start A Partnership Conversation
Explore how your organisation can be part of NPEA 2026. Partnerships are selective and designed in conversation.
For Journalists and Media
Download The Press Kit
Fact sheet, logos, high-resolution imagery, and spokesperson contact in one download
For Students
Enter The Competition
Submissions open until 31 July. See the brief, register your university, and submit your entry.