Sponsored by OFS and Carolina, the IIDA Student Design Competitions honors design concepts from students throughout the world who are currently enrolled in an interior design or interior architecture program or institution. Established in 2013, this competition has become an essential part of interior design curriculum for college or university professors worldwide, as they include the project in their courses, or encourage their students to apply as independent study.
Who Should Submit?
This competition is open to current interior design and architecture students.
Why Should I Submit?
Enter for the chance to have your work evaluated by world-renowned interior designers and architects like Lilliana Alvarado, IIDA, Alexandra Bonner, IIDA, and Corey Cappello. Projects are judged on excellence in aesthetics, design, creativity, and function as well as the suitability of the design solution to the project challenge and the successful integration of the elements of design.
Winners are featured on IIDA.org, recognized in the spring issues of the QUAD and Design Matters newsletters, and in an official press release distributed to leading industry outlets and media partners. OFS provides the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners with a financial prize of $2,500, $1,500, and $750 respectively.
When
This competition is open annually, January through February —
The 2026 IIDA Student Design Competition design brief is now available here.
You can view the 2026 Student Competition FAQ/Clarifying Questions here.
To be notified directly when this competition opens, contact IIDA Design Competitions Manager Veronica Whitaker at competitions@iida.org.
2025 First Place Winner
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For questions and more information regarding IIDA Design Awards and Competitions, please contact competitions@iida.org.