Design Excellence Awards 2026 Competition

Rules & Regulations

ASID FLORIDA SOUTH CHAPTER

Presents

xxx

The 2026 DESIGN EXCELLENCE AWARDS COMPETITION

The ASID Florida South Design Excellence Awards are one of the longest-running design competitions in the chapter's history. The competition recognizes outstanding projects by ASID Florida South Chapter members and the greater South Florida design community, celebrating excellence, creativity, and innovation in interior design.

The ASID Florida South Chapter is proud to present this year's theme, XXX as the focus of our Design Excellence Awards. As designers, we have a responsibility to create spaces that are not only aesthetically pleasing, but also promote wellness and sustainability. We can create spaces that have a positive impact on both the environment and the people who inhabit them.

COMPETITION OPEN TO ALL DESIGNERS (ASID & NON-ASID MEMBERS) INDUSTRY PARTNERS & INTERIOR DESIGN STUDENTS IN SOUTH FLORIDA

ENTRY ELIGIBILITY & PARTICIPATION

INTERIOR DESIGNERS / PROFESSIONAL DESIGN PRACTITIONERS

Open to ASID Professional, Allied, Associate, and Architect members in good standing.
Open to members of AIA, IIDA, NKBA, ASLA, IFDA, and other professional design organizations.
Open to non-ASID interior design professionals actively practicing within the ASID Florida South Chapter territory.
Entrants must be responsible for the interior design of the submitted project or a clearly identified portion of the work.
Entrants may submit projects located outside the chapter territory, provided they meet the professional eligibility requirements.
Current Chapter President, President-Elect, Awards Chair, Awards Committee members, and individuals directly involved in competition administration or judging may not enter.
Eligible professional designers may enter Residential, Commercial, and Specialty categories.

EMERGING INTERIOR DESIGN PROFESSIONALS

Open to practicing interior designers who graduated from a two-year or four-year interior design program within five years of the competition's opening date.
Graduation verification is required.
ASID membership is not required.
Emerging professionals may enter Emerging Professional Design (EP01), including conceptual or unbuilt projects, and may also enter regular professional design categories for eligible completed projects.

INDUSTRY PARTNERS

Open to ASID and non-ASID industry partners, including manufacturers, fabricators, product designers, and other design-related businesses.
Entries must represent original products, custom design solutions, or work substantially developed by the submitting business.
The individual or business responsible for the work must be identified in the confidential registration information.
An industry partner may not submit an interior design project solely because it supplied products or materials for that project.

STUDENTS

Open to ASID student members and nonmembers.
Students must be enrolled in a two-year, four-year, or graduate-level interior design program at the competition opening date.
Proof of enrollment is required. Students may only enter Student Design (ST01).

ENTRY FEES

Entry fees are charged per submission and are non-refundable except as expressly provided in the Final Terms & Conditions. All entry fees must be paid online through CPJ Association Management, the independent third-party administrator for the ASID Florida South Design Excellence Awards.

ASID MEMBERS - EARLY BIRD

Interior Design Practitioners - $155
Industry Partners - $155
Emerging Professionals - $75
Students - Free

NON-ASID MEMBERS - EARLY BIRD

Interior Design Practitioners - $250
Industry Firms & Professionals - $250
Emerging Professionals - $100
Students - $15

ASID MEMBERS - REGULAR

Interior Design Practitioners - $190
Industry Partners - $190
Emerging Professionals - $110
Students - $15

NON-ASID MEMBERS - REGULAR

Interior Design Practitioners - $285
Industry Firms & Professionals - $285
Emerging Professionals - $140
Students - $30

ENTRY RULES

1. The 2026 Design Excellence Awards Competition will open on [OPENING DATE] and close on [CLOSING DATE] at 11:59 PM Eastern Time. Early Bird registration will end on [EARLY BIRD DEADLINE].

2. All submissions, required documentation, and payments must be received through the official competition platform before the closing deadline.

3. Completed projects must have been substantially completed and installed between [ELIGIBLE START DATE] and [ELIGIBLE END DATE]. Conceptual or unbuilt projects submitted under Student Design (ST01) and Emerging Professional Design (EP01) are exempt from this requirement.

4. Substantial completion means the design work is finished and the space is ready for its intended use. Minor punch-list items do not affect eligibility.

5. Conceptual or unbuilt projects are permitted only in Student Design (ST01) and Emerging Professional Design (EP01). All other categories require completed projects.

6. Each submission must be entered into one designated category. A project may be submitted in more than one category only when each entry evaluates a distinct scope of work.

7. The same photographs may appear in multiple submissions where relevant. However, each entry must contain its own design statement and clearly identify the work being evaluated.

8. The same room or design scope may not be submitted to multiple categories simply to increase the chances of winning. Residential Renovation entries must demonstrate substantial transformation and include clearly identified before-and-after photographs or drawings showing the changes made.

9. Projects that previously received an award in the ASID Florida South Design Excellence Awards may not be re-entered for the same scope of work.

10. Previously submitted projects that did not win may be re-entered if they remain within the eligibility period and meet the current competition requirements.

11. Each submission must identify the individual or firm principally responsible for the interior design. Collaborators must be accurately credited in the confidential registration information.

12. Joint entries are permitted. One primary entrant must be designated to manage registration, payment, correspondence, and award acceptance.

13. Entrants must have permission from the project owner (where applicable) and all applicable image rights holders to submit and publicize the work.

14. All submitted materials must accurately represent the work. AI-generated images, fabricated photographs, or digitally altered images that materially misrepresent completed projects are prohibited.

15. Standard photographic adjustments, including exposure, colour correction, perspective correction, and cropping, are permitted provided they do not materially change the design.

16. Entrants are responsible for selecting the correct category. ASID Florida South may recommend a category change if an entry does not meet the published definition. Any reassignment must be approved by the entrant before judging. If the entrant declines and the original category is ineligible, the entry will be disqualified.

17. Entries will be reviewed for completeness and eligibility before judging.

18. ASID Florida South may request documentation to verify eligibility, completion dates, project authorship, and permissions.

19. All eligible entries will be evaluated using the published judging criteria. Submission does not guarantee an award.

ENTRY SUBMISSION PROCESS

All entries must be submitted electronically through CPJ Association Management, the independent third-party administrator managing the ASID Florida South Design Excellence Awards competition.

REGISTRATION

Create or sign into your competition registration account.
Confirm your name, business information, contact information, and membership status.
Select the appropriate competition category.
Complete payment, if applicable.
Complete the Design Category Form and upload all required materials.
Review and submit the completed entry before the deadline.
A submission is considered complete only when the platform confirms receipt of all required materials and payment.

REQUIRED PHOTOGRAPHY

Minimum of 3 and maximum of 20 photographs per entry.
Accepted formats: JPG or PNG.
Minimum recommended resolution: 2,000 pixels on the longest side.
Maximum file size: 10 MB per image.
Images must clearly demonstrate the design and scope of the submitted project.
Professional-quality photography is strongly encouraged but hiring a professional photographer is not mandatory.
Renderings may not be presented as photographs of completed work
Before photographs may be included as supporting documentation for applicable categories and must be clearly identified. Residential Renovation (R05) entries must include clearly identified before-and-after photographs or drawings demonstrating the transformation of the space.
Photographs must not contain added watermarks, firm names, or promotional graphics.
People should not be the primary subject of submitted images. Incidental people are permitted only when necessary to demonstrate the function of a space and appropriate permissions have been secured.
For conceptual or unbuilt projects entered under Student Design (ST01) or Emerging Professional Design (EP01), renderings, drawings, or other design visuals may be submitted in place of completed-project photographs. A minimum of 3 and maximum of 10 images is required. All conceptual images must be clearly identified as renderings or design illustrations.

SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS

Accepted supporting documents include:

Floor plans
Elevations
Design details
Before-and-after documentation
Material schedules
Renderings clearly identified as such

Supporting documents must be submitted in PDF format, with a maximum file size of 10 MB per document.

Documents must be legible and directly relevant to the submitted project.

Entrants completing the optional Sustainability Design Excellence Consideration section must include supporting documentation to substantiate their sustainability claims. Claims without supporting evidence will not receive credit under the sustainability scoring rubric.

DESIGN CATEGORY FORM

Each entry must include a design statement of no more than 650 words, organized as follows:

1. Design Goals (150 words maximum)

Describe the client's objectives, project requirements, and intended function of the space.

2. Design Challenges (150 words maximum)

Explain the primary constraints, challenges, or problems that influenced the design.

3. Design Solutions (200 words maximum)

Describe how the design addressed the stated goals and challenges, including space planning, functionality, creativity, and execution.

4. Materials & Notable Features (150 words maximum)

Highlight important materials, finishes, lighting, custom elements, sustainability measures, and other distinguishing features.

Judges will evaluate the project based on the submitted materials. Information not provided in the submission will not be assumed.

5. Sustainability Design Excellence Consideration (Optional — 400 words maximum)

Describe how sustainability was incorporated into your project, addressing the following:

Sustainable Design Strategy: How was sustainability integrated into the overall design concept? What environmental challenges or project goals were addressed?
Materials & Resources: What sustainable materials, responsible sourcing practices, reuse strategies, or waste reduction measures were incorporated?
Environmental Performance: How does the design improve energy or water efficiency, resource conservation, indoor environmental quality, or occupant well-being?
Long-Term Impact: What environmental benefits were achieved, and how does the design support durability, adaptability, or long-term sustainability?

Provide supporting documentation to substantiate sustainability claims, such as material specifications, product certifications, performance data, or other relevant evidence.

All eligible professional entries completing this optional section will automatically be considered for the Sustainable Design Excellence Award and evaluated using the separate 100-point sustainability rubric.

This optional section does not count toward the general design statement word limit.

ANONYMITY REQUIREMENTS

All entries will be judged anonymously.

Entrant names, firm names, school names, logos, contact information, and other identifying details must not appear in materials visible to judges.
Identifying information must be removed from design statements, image captions, drawings, and supporting documents.
Commercial branding that is permanently incorporated into the completed design may remain visible.
Project locations may be described generally when relevant to the design, but exact addresses and client identities must not be disclosed in judging materials.
Confidential registration information, photographer credits, releases, and entrant headshots will not be visible to judges.
Entries that disclose entrant identity during judging will be disqualified.

REQUIRED PERMISSIONS & RELEASES

Each submission must include:

OWNER / CLIENT RELEASE

Written permission from the project owner or authorized representative allowing the project to be entered and its submitted materials to be used for competition judging and approved awards publicity.

PHOTOGRAPHER / IMAGE RIGHTS RELEASE

Written permission from the photographer or applicable copyright holder allowing the submitted images to be used for competition judging and approved awards publicity.

Entrants must obtain permission from every applicable rights holder.
The entrant confirms that submitted materials do not infringe upon the rights of another person or business.
Ownership and copyright of submitted materials remain with their respective owners.
ASID Florida South receives a nonexclusive, royalty-free license to use approved materials for competition administration, judging, winner announcements, chapter publicity, and awards-related editorial promotion.
Use of submitted materials for unrelated commercial advertising or third-party licensing requires separate permission.
For conceptual or unbuilt Student Design (ST01) and Emerging Professional Design (EP01) entries without an actual client or project owner, an Owner / Client Release is not required. Entrants must confirm that they have the right to submit all materials and have obtained permission from any applicable copyright holders.

JUDGING CRITERIA & SCORING

All entries will be judged anonymously by qualified judges through the designated competition platform.
Judges will not be informed of entrants' names, firm affiliations, or ASID membership status.
All entries within the same category will be evaluated using the same published 100-point scoring rubric.
Each entry's final score will be calculated as the average of the judges' individual scores, rounded to two decimal places.
First Place and Sustainable Design Excellence awards require a minimum unrounded average judging score of 80 out of 100 points. Rounding will not be used to determine award eligibility.
Unrounded average judging scores will be used to determine award rankings. If two or more entries have identical unrounded average scores, the published tie-breaking criteria will apply.
Judges will evaluate entries based solely on the submitted materials and published criteria.

RESIDENTIAL, COMMERCIAL & HOSPITALITY, SPECIALTY DESIGN, AND INDUSTRY PARTNER TRADE SHOWROOM

Applies to R01–R07, C01–C07, S01–S05, and IP01.

25 POINTS: DESIGN CONCEPT & CREATIVITY

10: Clarity and strength of design concept
15: Creativity, originality, and innovation

25 POINTS: FUNCTIONALITY & DESIGN PLANNING

15: Effective use of space, form, and functionality
10: Response to client, user, and project requirements

20 POINTS: DESIGN EXECUTION

10: Scale, proportion, balance, and composition
10: Quality of detailing, craftsmanship, and execution

15 POINTS: MATERIALS, COLOUR & LIGHTING

5: Effective use of colour and visual harmony
5: Appropriate selection and application of materials
5: Effective integration of lighting or other relevant visual design elements

15 POINTS: PROBLEM-SOLVING & PROJECT IMPACT

10: Effectiveness of solutions to design challenges
5: Overall success in achieving design objectives

TOTAL: 100 POINTS

STUDENT & EMERGING PROFESSIONAL DESIGN

Applies to ST01 and EP01. Entries will be judged separately within their respective categories.

25 POINTS: DESIGN CONCEPT & CREATIVITY

10: Clarity and strength of design concept
15: Creativity, originality, and innovation

25 POINTS: FUNCTIONALITY & DESIGN PLANNING

15: Effective space planning, form, and functionality
10: Response to project requirements and intended users

25 POINTS: DESIGN DEVELOPMENT

15: Application of design principles and technical considerations
10: Appropriate selection of materials, finishes, and lighting

25 POINTS: PRESENTATION & COMMUNICATION

15: Quality and clarity of drawings, renderings, and visual materials
10: Effectiveness in communicating design intent and solutions

TOTAL: 100 POINTS

SUSTAINABLE DESIGN EXCELLENCE

Special award open to eligible professional entries across Residential, Commercial & Hospitality, Specialty Design, and Industry Partner categories.

Eligible projects will be evaluated separately using the following criteria. Supporting documentation must be provided to substantiate sustainability claims.

25 POINTS: SUSTAINABLE DESIGN STRATEGY

15: Integration of sustainability into the overall design concept
10: Response to environmental challenges and project objectives

25 POINTS: MATERIALS & RESOURCE RESPONSIBILITY

15: Responsible material selection, sourcing, and durability
10: Waste reduction, reuse, or resource conservation

25 POINTS: ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE

15: Demonstrated improvements in energy, water, or resource efficiency
10: Consideration of indoor environmental quality and occupant well-being

25 POINTS: MEASURABLE IMPACT & DOCUMENTATION

15: Demonstrated environmental benefits supported by relevant evidence
10: Long-term sustainability, adaptability, and overall project impact

TOTAL: 100 POINTS

AWARDS

First Place will be awarded to the highest-scoring eligible entry in each competition category, provided it achieves an average judging score of at least 80 out of 100 points.
Categories may receive an award regardless of the number of entries. If no entry meets the minimum score or eligibility requirements, no award will be presented.
Best in Show will be awarded to the highest-scoring First Place winner across Residential Design, Commercial & Hospitality Design, Specialty Design, and Industry Partner Trade Showroom.
Sustainable Design Excellence will be awarded to the highest-scoring eligible professional entry achieving at least 80 points under the sustainability rubric, based on documented sustainable design practices.
Tie-Breaking: In the event of a tie for First Place or Best in Show, the entry with the highest combined average score for Design Concept & Creativity and Functionality & Design Planning will rank higher. This applies to all professional, Student Design (ST01), and Emerging Professional Design (EP01) categories. For Sustainable Design Excellence, the entry with the highest combined average score for Sustainable Design Strategy and Measurable Impact & Documentation will rank higher. If a tie remains, an additional qualified judge will evaluate the tied entries using the applicable published 100-point scoring rubric. The entry receiving the higher score from the additional judge will rank higher.

WINNERS

Winners will be announced at the 2026 Design Excellence Awards Gala.
Winners agree to reasonable awards-related publicity through ASID Florida South's website, social media, communications, and approved media partners.
Winning projects may be featured in chapter publications and editorial coverage. Winners are responsible for verifying project credits and may be asked to provide additional high-resolution photographs or supporting materials.
ASID Florida South does not guarantee publication by independent media outlets.
Entrants retain ownership of their submitted work and materials.

FINAL TERMS & CONDITIONS

Submission of an entry constitutes agreement to all published competition rules, eligibility requirements, submission guidelines, and permissions.
ASID Florida South reserves the right to verify submitted information, request supporting documentation, and disqualify entries that do not meet the published competition requirements.
ASID Florida South reserves the right to cancel the competition due to circumstances beyond its reasonable control. In that event, paid entry fees will be refunded for entries that have not been judged.