The next big thing—whether it’s a person, project or idea—is often discovered through the art of competition. Design companies and organizations often dangle enticing prizes in hopes of uncovering the latest and greatest talent and ideas. In this month’s roundup, Contract Design Magazine, Hansgrohe, the Boston Design Center, Steelcase Education, Metropolis Magazine, the Malaysian International Furniture Fair, IIDA and Ambiente are offering enticing prizes from $10,000 cash to getting published for creating a fabulous Pinterest board.
2013 Interiors Awards winner
Contract Magazine is accepting interior design projects that were occupied or first opened for business no earlier than January 1, 2013. Winners will be honored at the 36th Annual Interiors Awards Breakfast in New York on January 30. Winning projects will also be published in the January 2015 issue of Contract Magazine. The deadline to enter is Wednesday, September 17. Winners will be notified by Friday, October 31.
Hansgrohe is inviting designers to “Pin Your Passion” for a chance to win a $500 Visa gift card. Entrants must complete an online form; follow @HansgroheUSA on Pinterest; create a board titled “Pin Your Passion” and pin images that inspire. The deadline to create a board is Tuesday, September 30. Winners will be announced on or around Friday, October 10.
Inspired by the “Trends 2015” Pinterest boards created by Chesie Breen, Editor-in-Chief of ID Boston Magazine, the Boston Design Center is asking designers to create their own inspiration boards. Participants must create a board and share some of Breen’s pins as well as add images that fit within the Trends 2015 categories: Royal Flush, Social Butterfly, Prussian Blue, Old School, Marbelized Paper and Gold is the New Neutral. Seven winners will be chosen at random and awarded secret prizes during the Boston Design Center’s Fall Market (October 1-2) The deadline to create a board is Wednesday, October 1.
Steelcase Education classroom design
The NEXT Student Design Competition organized by Steelcase encourages the creation of innovative active learning environments for the future. College junior and senior level design students may develop concepts for a new academic building at a small liberal arts institution—a large classroom, smaller active learning classrooms, a faculty center and a student WorkCafé. Using Steelcase products, the challenge is to create a learning environment for the future that helps increase student engagement and retention. One grand prize winner will receive a $1,000 cash prize and a matching contribution to his or her school’s design program. All finalists will win an all-expense paid trip to Steelcase University in Grand Rapids, MI, to present the winning design to the panel of judges and meet with Steelcase executives. Finalists will also spend time with thought leaders and explore what’s next in education, workplace and healthcare environments. Students are asked to submit their registrations by Friday, October 3, and final entries are due Friday, November 21. Finalists will be announced in December. To participate in the competition or for questions, send an email.
Metropolis Magazine hopes to explore one of the most compelling and important topics in contemporary design: How will we work in 2020? The Workplace of the Future 2.0 Design Competition is co-produced with Business Interiors by Staples and offers a total prize of $10,000, with $7,500 for the winner and $2,500 for a runner-up. Designers must choose the place that defines the workplace of the future, whether it be an office, a home or a public space and visualize it in a healthy way, a place which will encourage people to move around by including exercise opportunities and healthy food options. Winners will be publicized globally across all media and social media channels. The deadline to enter is Friday, October 10.
2013 MIFF FDC entry
This year’s Malaysian International Furniture Fair’s Furniture Design Competition (MIFF FDC) is themed Living Furniture, Global Perspective. Malaysian citizens as well as exchange students in the country under the age of 30 are eligible to enter the competition with a sketch, rendering or completed piece of furniture or accessory. A selection of the top designs will be prototyped and displayed at the next MIFF (March 3-7). The winner will be awarded RM10,000; second place will win RM5,000; and third place will win RM500 (approximately $3,000; $1,500 and $150 respectively). The deadline to enter is Friday, October 10.
The International Interior Design Association (IIDA) in collaboration with EDmarket is seeking entries from EDspaces exhibitors for the best product design for learning environments. The EDspaces Innovation Awards recognize excellence in flooring, wall surfaces, textiles, furniture, seating and specialties. Products must have been offered for sale or use after January 1, 2013. The deadline for submitting products is Friday, October 10. A panel of industry professionals will review product design submissions, and judging will take place on Tuesday, October 28, with awards being presented on Wednesday, October 29 at EDspaces in Tampa, Florida. All winning products, manufacturers, and designers will be featured on the IIDA website. For more details, contact Liz Moran, IIDA Design Competitions Manager.
2013 Ambiente Talents entry
Design students, graduates and young designers have the chance to make presentations and participate in the all-new “Talents” portion at the next Ambiente fair, which takes place in Frankfurt, Germany, February 13 – 17. The deadline to enter is Wednesday, October 22.
