Advice for students preparing for the Innovation in Design Thinking – Student Competition
Projects featured: ‘Caladrius Health and Wellness Center’ by Cali Pitcher, ‘Yúustway Healing Center; to take care of one another/each other’ by Alyssa Scott, ‘Oasis – Interior Garden & Wellness Center’ by Sam Piner.
The potential of design to positively change and add value to our lives is the focus of this recognition.
Entries may be concepts or innovative processes at any scale or in any sector. Submissions must clearly communicate the intended value to people, business, or society at large.
Here are some helpful tips from past judges to help you prepare for this year’s submission.
Ask yourself the right questions throughout the submission process
Think about:
- what is the value to users of the space?
- how was innovation part of the design process?
- in what ways was design thinking incorporated?
- what new considerations were taken?
- what are the innovative functions and features of space?
- what makes this project stand out?
Show evidence-based design
Back up your claims with facts, research, studies, or anecdotes that will demonstrate your project’s value of interior design and illustrate the positive impact of design on the users of the spaces. Explain how research findings were used as drivers for design decisions and planning. Based on the research collected, what kind of outcome is possible with this project, and why is it important?
Clearly define your design concept
Try to avoid over-explaining the concept of the space. Keep your descriptions clear and concise, and tie everything back to the design. Remember that a ‘design concept’ and ‘design approach’ require two separate answers.
Connect images to text
Your write-up should be reflected in and supported by your images, and vise versa. Remember to fully develop the design concepts in your images and in your text. The two should be clear and connected.
Complete the full form, edit, and proofread
Give yourself enough time to go over your submission form to ensure all fields are complete, and there are no editorial errors, and then have a final proofread before submitting. It’s a good idea to have another person proofread your work before submitting it. Submissions with easy-to-correct errors can be dismissed as sloppy.
The deadline to submit entries to the competition is May 17, 2024, at 12 p.m. ET
IDC Student member(s) will be honoured at an awards celebration this fall. In addition, all winning projects will be profiled on IDC’s website, newsletter, and promoted on IDC’s social media channels.
Learn more about the 2023 Student Competition winners.
DOWNLOAD GUIDE | SUBMIT APPLICATION
Contact communications@idcanada.org with inquiries.
