2025 DesignWorks Awards

Purpose

The DesignWorks Awards recognizes design excellence in Commercial Interior Design within the Carolinas Chapter and to encourage new, innovative solutions for interior spaces, elevating design throughout our region. In addition to celebrating project-based achievements, we also honor the outstanding individuals who contribute to the strength and spirit of our chapter. The Chapter Member Awards recognize members who exemplify leadership, mentorship, and service, ensuring we celebrate not only great design, but the people behind it. For more details on the Chapter Member Awards click HERE.

Entry Criteria

Any IIDA Professional or Associate member in good standing at the time of the project submission through DesignWorks 2025, and nonmembers. If IIDA membership expires before or during this time, your firm will be invoiced for the non IIDA member submission rate. If the invoice isn't paid by the date requested, it will result in forfeiture of project submission fees already paid and elimination of the project from consideration. Pending members are welcome to submit under the member rate but must include a copy of the pending membership application. Previously awarded projects may not be submitted. All projects must have been completed after January 1, 2023, and cannot have won a previous DesignWorks competition (with the exception of the unbuilt category in 2023). 

Recognition

All award recipients of the competition will be announced at DesignWorks on Friday, November 14th, 2025 in Charlotte, North Carolina. The winning projects will be displayed on the IIDA Carolinas website, as well as promoted on our social media platforms.

Location

The Casey, 1837 N. Tyron Street, Charlotte, NC 28206

How to Enter

Click on the sign in button on the top right corner and create your account if you do not already have one. You will need to add IIDA Carolinas under your Memberships & Affiliations to receive membership pricing (if you qualify). You will then go back to the competition landing page and click the blue button to register. If you do not show your IIDA Carolina Membership in your profile, you will see a toggle that ask if you are a member or not. Answer the question correctly so you that you will receive the right entry fee price. Pick the categories you wish to enter and pay. The entries will now be attached to your action panel and you can update the entry forms and document folders at any time until the deadline. Click the blue help button on each screen at any time if you need help.

**Entry deadline is August, 18, 2025 at 11:59 PM Eastern.

Judging Criteria

Submissions will be judged on a point system based on the criteria listed below. Judging will be performed by Design professionals outside of the Carolinas Chapter.

Submission Guidelines

1. All entries must be submitted via this online site please use the sign-in button in the top right corner to create your account.
2. Upload at least one PDF floorplan(s) representing the project submission.
3. Project images must be uploaded in JPEG format. Image to be a minimum of 1920 pixels x 1080 pixels no larger than 10 MB in size. The designer is responsible for ensuring adherence to these sizes. Failure to do so could result in disqualification. 10 Max.
4. Please select one image in your uploads as the "cover photo". This image will be used as the Feature Image and should not include writing, not be an exterior image, and not be a collage of images. Please make sure this image best represents your project. 
5. When submitting images and floor plans, remove all title blocks, firm logos, and firm names from all images. Failure to do so will result in disqualification and forfeiture of submission fees.
6. Submission of project images gives IIDA Carolinas the right to use graphics in publications, digital and print, for our Chapter.

Submission Fees

Early Bird Submission Fees

IIDA Member Early Bird: $250

Non Member Early Bird: $350

Early Bird Additional Entries: $200

IIDA Student Member - FREE*

Regular Submission Fees

IIDA Member: $350

Non Member: $450

Additional Entries - $300

IIDA Student Member - FREE*

*Note: The student category is only available to active IIDA Campus Centers in the Carolinas. All student submissions will need to be vetted through their IIDA Faculty Advisor.

Timeline

June 29, 2025 - Submission Site Opens

June 29, 2025 - July 29, 2025 - Early Bird Pricing

July 30, 2025 - August 18, 2025 - Regular Pricing

August 18, 2025 - Submission Site Closes

August 22, 2025 - September 26, 2025 - Judging

Judging

Projects will be reviewed by qualified judges on the following criteria:

• Project Description/Design Solution - 10 possible points
  • How well are the challenges described? Evaluate problem solving ability and design solution.
• Design Concept - 10 possible points
  • Is the overall design concept well established?
  • Is the overall image clean and understandable?
• Creativity and Originality - 10 possible points
  • Are the ideas well established?
  • Is the overall project interpretation original and creative while addressing the project requirements?
• Space Planning - 10 possible points
  • Is the space well planned? Is the solution a creative use of space?
  • Are furnishings and millwork well planned?
  • Does the space comply with all applicable building and ADA codes?
• Presentation - 10 possible points
  • Does the overall submission presentation have visual clarity and order?

Awards

Awards will be given in the following categories, and announced at DesignWorks on Friday, November 14th, in Charlotte, North Carolina.

• Overall "Best in Show" Winner
• Winner in each category
• Honorable mention in each category awarded at judge's discretion