US-based research centre Pratt Institute will award James Gager, Senior Vice President at MAC Cosmetics and Jo Malone Worldwide for his outstanding commitment to packaging design.

Gager, a former student at the Pratt Institute, will receive the Art of Packaging ward at the university’s annual gala on May 19 at The University Club, New York. The award is presented annually to a beauty industry company or individual that has excelled in the art of packaging design. Gager will be introduced by John Demsey, Group President of  Estée Lauder.

Through his innovative designs, packaging expert Gager has played a key role in growing MAC into the top-selling makeup artist brand in the world. He has conceptualized all creative activity, drawing upon fashion, pop culture, music and art to inspire more than 50 collections launched by the brand every year. In 2010, Jo Malone Worldwide was added to Gager’s creative direction.

Prior to joining MAC, Gager was Ceative Director for Prescriptives for 20 years, where he created campaigns for Virtual Skin and the trendsetting All Skins campaign, which highlighted the importance of reaching out to multicultural consumers.

Gager completed a bachelor’s degree in Industrial Design and a master’s of Science Degree in Packaging Design at Pratt Institute. 

All proceeds from the event will go towards the March Rosen Scholarship and Enterprise Fund for Packaging by Design. Now in its 26th year, the Marc Rosen Scholarship and Education Fund for Packaging by Design fund is the world’s only scholarship for masters degree-level students looking to pursue careers in cosmetics and packaging design. To date, it has provided scholarships to 104 Pratt students, many of whom have become industry leaders.

MAC joins previous recipients of the award such as Aramis & Designer Fragrances, Estée Lauder, Avon, Bath & Body Works, Calvin Klein, Clinique, Coty Inc., Coty Prestige, Dior Beauty, Lancôme, Mary Kay Inc., P&G Prestige, Procter & Gamble, Ralph Lauren Fragrances and Shiseido.