Tips for designers preparing submissions for the Value of Design Awards (VODA)
‘Garden Avenue Laneway Home’ by Suzanne Wilkinson Interiors Inc. (Suzanne Wilkinson).
IDC’s Value of Design Awards (VODA) shine a spotlight on Canadian interior designers by providing a forum to showcase the benefits of design thinking: an empathetic, inventive, and iterative process focused on the human experience within interior spaces.
Here are some helpful tips from past judges to help you prepare this year’s submissions.
- Be clear and concise
Think from the perspective of the judges, who are often your peers. Try to eliminate fluffy, corporate language and focus on specific explanations that clearly summarize your project, objectives, obstacles, and outcomes. Remember to explain the ‘why,’ especially in solving design challenges (ex: why the design approaches are innovative, or why some challenges were impactful in the process).
- Images should support your descriptions
Your text should reflect your images, but, more importantly, your images should support the story of your design. Elaborate on hidden features. Often, much of a company’s culture requires behind-the-scenes ‘solutions,’ which are difficult to capture in a photograph. Avoid including additional PDF documents with your image submissions. The information contained in the PDFs should be part of your submission text but do consider including floor plans.
- Write, edit, proofread
Once you’ve answered all the questions and included your attachments, proofread your submission form to ensure all fields are complete and there are no editorial errors. It’s a good idea to have another person proofread your work before submitting it. Judges do not like to see grammar or spelling mistakes.
- Tell your community
Keep in mind that furniture manufacturers and other collaborators on your project would love to hear that you are submitting the project for the VODA competition. Keep them in the loop as a partner and resource for the big event. If your project is selected as a winner, they would love to cheer you on at the awards gala.
Deadline to submit is May 17, 2024 at 12 p.m. ET
VODA winners 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 about IDC’s 2023 VODA recipients.
DOWNLOAD GUIDE | SUBMIT APPLICATION
Contact communications@idcanada.org with inquiries.
