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PAVE Global Launches Student Design Challenge with Whole Foods Market

Writer: PAVE GlobalPAVE Global

"Promotional image for the 2025 PAVE Global Student Design Challenge featuring three circular photos: a Whole Foods Market café seating area with wooden accents and modern furniture on the left, the Whole Foods Market logo in white on a green circle in the center, and a Whole Foods Market storefront exterior on the right. The PAVE Global logo appears in the top left corner, and '2025 PAVE GLOBAL STUDENT DESIGN CHALLENGE' is displayed in green text at the bottom of the image, all set against a textured beige background."

PAVE Global, in partnership with Whole Foods Market, is pleased to announce the official launch of the 2025 PAVE Global x Whole Foods Market Student Design Challenge. This exciting challenge brings together emerging design talent and a leading natural and organic food retailer for a unique opportunity to reimagine the future of community gathering spaces.


The challenge invites college-level students to concept a café/seating area that connects with the community, utilizes Whole Foods Market's core values, and creates an aesthetically pleasing, user-friendly space. Students are encouraged to think innovatively and design spaces where people want to linger, featuring Instagram-worthy moments and comfortable environments.


"Whole Foods Market is so excited to be a part of this opportunity for students to showcase their creativity and innovation in retail design!” said Christine Sturch, Principal Design & Innovation Team Leader – Store Design Team, Whole Foods Market. “Our Purpose to Nourish People and the Planet aligns perfectly with the mission of PAVE Global as we nourish the next generation of designers. Looking forward to seeing the amazing concepts students come up with at the Shop! Marketplace event in Charlotte – April 8-10."

The winning design concept will be selected in collaboration with the Whole Foods Market team and will be prominently featured in the PAVE Global booth at Shop! Marketplace in Charlotte, North Carolina, from April 8-10, 2025.


As part of the prize package, the winning student will be invited to attend Shop! Marketplace, with flight, hotel accommodations, and per diem covered. During the event, they will have the opportunity to participate in educational sessions, build professional connections, and may even see their concept brought to life.


The competition is open to students currently enrolled in 2 or 4-year programs at universities, state/community colleges, or technical schools in the US or Canada. Eligible areas of study include retail design, interior design, architecture, industrial design, product design, graphic design, visual merchandising, UX design, and related fields.


Students must submit their completed projects by Friday, March 7, 2025, before 11:59 PM Eastern/8:59 PM Pacific time to be considered.


To learn more about the PAVE Global x Whole Foods Market Student Design Challenge, please visit www.paveglobal.org/wfm.


 

About Whole Foods Market

Founded in 1980, Austin-based Whole Foods Market is the world’s leading natural and organic foods retailer and the first certified organic national grocer in the United States. Part of Amazon’s Worldwide Grocery Stores, Whole Foods Market serves customers in more than 530 stores across the U.S., Canada, and the U.K.

 

To learn more about Whole Foods Market, please visit www.wholefoodsmarket.com  

 

About PAVE Global

Founded in 1992 as The Planning and Visual Education Partnership, PAVE Global is a 501(c)(3) charitable foundation, with all proceeds benefitting PAVE’s educational programs. The organization enables young talent to build successful careers designing and creating consumer environments. Our vision is to cultivate relationships with students, educators, and the design industry through financial assistance, top-industry thinking, inspiration, and mentorship.

 

For more information, please visit www.paveglobal.org.

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