Project Awards 2025

Every year our Chapter encourages members to submit their most creative design projects to be independently judged (by ASID designers selected from across the country) and possibly be given an award of Gold, Silver or Bronze.  Projects are judged independently against the criteria stated below, and not against other projects, thereby giving every member an opportunity to be recognized for his/her work.  In addition to the Gold, Silver or Bronze, the highest ranking Residential (one) and Commercial (one) projects may be chosen for the "Design IMPACT” Awards.  Three projects will be selected for these new Awards:  “Best Use of Lighting,” “Best use of Space,” and “Most Creative Use of Materials.”

Award winners will be given a certificate and a digital “badge” designating Gold, Silver or Bronze on the project.  Winners will be notified on August 21 (but official and specific recognition will not be announced until the official Awards presentation on September 14), and digital badges will be emailed post-presentation on Awards night.  Digital badges may be used on designer’s website, email signature, etc.  Project “boards” are now optional and done at cost per entry. (Boards will be produced and distributed after the Awards Presentation and Announcement.)

The purpose of the awards program is to provide recognition of impactful design created by ASID designer members, both within the Chapter and within the larger design community.

SCHEDULE:
Online Reservation of Entries:  June 1 - July 31 (5:00 PM CDST) 

Entry Submission/Review/Qualification:  June 1 - July 31 (5:00 PM CDST) 
Judging:  August 1st - August 18 (5:00 PM CDST) 
Notification email (of winning a Gold, Silver or Bronze):  August 22
Awards Presentation Dinner:  TBD

FEES:
The entry fee is $68.00 per entry; and there is no limit to the number of projects/categories that can be entered.  Student ASID members may submit their course projects for judging in the "Student Project" category, and the student fee is $30.00 per entry. Entry fees are not refundable.  Optional project “boards” are handled prior to the event and will be at cost.

QUALIFICATIONS:
Only current members (Allied, ASID, Associate or Student) of the NE/IA Chapter ASID may submit projects, whether they are entering as an individual practicing interior designer or members of a design team. Each entry must represent an installation completed after January 1, 2022, with the exception of re-submissions. A project that has been previously submitted but has not won a Chapter Award, may be resubmitted for up to three years. Projects receiving prior publicity to the 2024 NE/IA Chapter ASID Project Awards are eligible.

Entrants may submit as many projects as desired; however, each project may only be submitted in one category. [EXCEPTION TO THE RULE: The S03-Custom Product Design category may feature an element from a project that has been submitted to another category; however, different photos must accompany the entry.] If it appears as if one project has been entered in multiple categories, the designer responsible will be asked to choose the most applicable category. As a reminder, entry fees will not be refunded. 

JUDGING CRITERIA:
Judges will be considering the following criteria when determining a project’s score:
1. Design solution answers challenges presented in concept statement. When applicable, use of effective space planning is apparent.
2. Use of design elements (space, texture, light, color, line, form & pattern) and principles of design (unity & harmony, balance, emphasis, rhythm, scale & proportion) are thoughtful and apparent.
3. Visual impact, originality, creativity.
4. Materials, textures, and color composition make sense for the application and work well together.
5. Design enhances the user’s quality of life:  health, safety & welfare.
6. Creative use of materials.
7. Use of lighting.
At the judge’s discretion, one point extra credit may be awarded to a project for an outstanding feature or design element 

RATING SCALE:
Each criteria is rated on the following scale:
1   Unsatisfactory
2 – 3  Sometimes Meets Expectations (Below Average)
4 – 5  Meets Expectations (Average)
6 – 7  Frequently Meets Expectations (Above Average)
8 – 9  Exceeds Expectations
10  Sets New Standards; This project stands out from the rest!

Awards are determined by averaging the judging panel’s scores. If a project is awarded enough points, the following honors may be awarded to each project:  Gold, Silver, or Bronze.  In addition to the Gold, Silver or Bronze, the highest ranking Residential (one) and Commercial (one) projects may be chosen for the "Design IMPACT” Awards.  Three projects will be selected for these new Awards:  “Best Use of Lighting,” “Best use of Space,” and “Most Creative Use of Materials.” 

ENTRY SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

• Remove all firm/designer identification from submissions (photos, drawings, etc.)
• The submission process will be 100% online this year. Please be sure to include all required elements in the online portal.  Failure to comply may result in the disqualification of your project awards submission.
• PROJECT STATEMENT - answer the following questions:
  • What was the scope of your project?
  • What were the goals/objectives for this project?
  • Describe how your design solution impacts the way in which people will experience the finished project.
  • What were the most significant challenges you faced in this project and how did your design solution answer these challenges?
• SKETCHES, PLANS, ELEVATIONS, OTHER DETAILED DRAWINGS, PHOTOS, MATERIALS & FINISHES:
  • Provide sketches, plans, elevations, and other detailed drawings (HIGHLY encouraged but not required) to communicate your design intent. Provide a minimum of three color photos of the project in .jpg or .png format. The other requested uploads will not count towards your required minimum of photographs.
  • If your submission is a renovation project, before and after photographs are highly recommended, and should be labeled accordingly.
• ENTRY FORM - You will need the following information in regards to your entry:
  • Contact Person/Info
  • If more than one Designer in the firm worked on the project, provide his/her name and contact information
  • Project Name
  • List any specific codes that were required (if applicable)
  • List all Sponsors involved in the project - refer to our sponsor list HERE
  • List any other professional who contributed to the construction, design, documentation of the project (architect, contractor, photographer) *If you listed an architect who worked on the project, please explain their scope in relation to the project. (EX: Did they simply draw the plan, or were they involved in the detail work?"
  • Publicity Release Form/Acknowledgement
    • All publications of project awards will be credited as listed; therefore, accuracy is essential. By making a submission and checking the "Yes" box, each entrant certifies that:
      • All information listed is correct and complete. Seeing that there are no errors or unintentional omissions is the sole responsibility of the entrant. NE/IA Chapter ASID assumes no responsibility for incorrect information, copyright, or photography fees.
      • The client and photographer have given permission to publish the photographs and information submitted. (Exceptions will be made only if the entrant notes that the client wishes to remain anonymous. However, their photographs may still be published unless clearly stated otherwise)
      • Permission has been granted for additional photography and gathering of information if needed for publicity purposes.
      • The design concept, as submitted, was created solely by the applicant(s) without assistance from any other persons engaged or employed by the applicant.

ALL ENTRIES MUST BE SUBMITTED BY 5:00 PM, JULY 31, 2025.