Overview:

Since 1993, the Global Innovation Award (gia) Student Design Competition, hosted by the International Housewares Association (IHA), has been recognizing the brightest young talent in industrial design. This prestigious competition gives students a chance to showcase their innovative housewares designs to leading industry executives, win cash prizes, and gain invaluable exposure at The Inspired Home Show in Chicago.

What You’ll Gain:

Cash Prizes: $12,000 in total awards. Schools of winners also receive $3,000 in grants.Overview:

Are you an aspiring industrial designer looking to showcase your innovative ideas and gain industry recognition? The 2025 Global Innovation Award (gia) Student Design Competition, hosted by the International Housewares Association (IHA), is your opportunity to propel your design career forward. Since its inception in 1993, this prestigious competition has been a launching pad for talented industrial design students across North America and around the globe.

By participating, you’ll have the chance to win cash prizes, gain exposure at the renowned The Inspired Home Show 2025, and present your work to key industry executives looking for new product ideas. With categories that span a wide range of housewares products, this competition is a must for any industrial design student seeking recognition and career advancement.

Why Enter the 2025 Student Design Competition?

Cash Prizes: Compete for a share of $12,000 in cash awards, with additional $3,000 grants going to the winners' schools.
Career Advancement: Winners will have their designs showcased at The Inspired Home Show 2025, one of the largest trade shows in the housewares industry, attended by leading professionals, buyers, and innovators.
Networking Opportunities: Meet industry executives, gain invaluable feedback on your designs, and build connections that could launch your career.
All-Expenses-Paid Trip to Chicago: Winners will receive travel (economy-class flights), lodging, and per diems to attend The Inspired Home Show 2025 in Chicago from February 28 - March 5, 2025.
Feedback from Industry Experts: Each entry receives two written evaluations from seasoned design professionals, providing insightful feedback to refine your skills and designs.

Who Can Enter?

The competition is open to undergraduate and graduate industrial design students enrolled in degree-granting programs in North America or internationally. Spring 2024 graduates are eligible, provided the project was completed before graduation. Team projects are accepted, but if selected, only one team member will be provided travel and lodging.

You can enter more than one project, increasing your chances of winning and being recognized in this prestigious competition.

Categories:

Participants are encouraged to submit designs in the following housewares categories:

Small Electric Appliances (e.g., food preparation, home environment)
Personal Care & Home Healthcare Products (e.g., grooming, minor medical needs)
Tableware & Serving Products (e.g., cutlery, containers for on-the-go)
Cookware & Bakeware (e.g., stovetop and oven-proof products)
Kitchenware (e.g., hand tools, storage solutions)
Cleaning Products (e.g., brooms, mops, brushes)
Outdoor Products & Home Maintenance (e.g., barbecue grills, patio accessories)
Furniture (e.g., indoor and outdoor tables, chairs, space systems)
Organization & Storage (e.g., shelving, garment care)
Decorative Accessories (e.g., mirrors, clocks, vases)
Juvenile & Pet Products
Connected Home Products (IoT-enabled home products)

Important Dates:

Entry Deadline: December 13, 2024, at 11:59 PM CST.
Winner Notification: Winners will be notified via email by January 31, 2025.

How to Enter the 2025 Global Innovation Award (gia) Student Design Competition:

Visit the official competition page at TheInspiredHomeShow.com/SDC.
Create an account to manage your submission.
Complete the project submission form by providing detailed answers about your product concept, its design process, and user testing.
Upload a JPEG image of your final product and a PDF process book (up to 25MB) showcasing your design development, user research, sketches, technical layout, and 3D models or prototypes.
Submit your entry and receive a confirmation email with an entry number for future reference.

Evaluation Criteria:

Entries will be judged by a panel of expert design professionals, industry executives, and educators on the following criteria:

Design Innovation: Concept originality, aesthetics, materials, and production feasibility.
User Research: Evidence of user observation, market analysis, and concept testing.
Technical and Presentation Skills: Clarity of written and visual communication, including sketches and computer renderings.
Storytelling: Compelling narrative of how the product solves a consumer need and differentiates itself from competitors.

Judging is a two-part process: initial online evaluations followed by an in-person jury session where the top entries are selected.

Prizes and Recognition:

The judges will allocate $12,000 in cash prizes across the top winners.
$3,000 in additional cash grants will be awarded to the schools of the winners.
Winning entries will be showcased at The Inspired Home Show at McCormick Place, Chicago (March 2-4, 2025).
Winners receive complimentary travel, accommodation, and per diems for a five-night stay in Chicago.
Honorable Mentions will receive a small cash award and will be included in media coverage but are not required to attend the Show.

Ownership and Intellectual Property:

Students are encouraged to seek legal advice regarding patent protection for their designs prior to submission. IHA is not responsible for securing intellectual property rights but may assist in promoting winning designs for potential production agreements. Previous winners have successfully negotiated production deals and patents for their designs.

Next Steps:

Ready to launch your career in industrial design?

Visit TheInspiredHomeShow.com/SDC to submit your entry and take the first step towards industry recognition and success.

For any questions or further information, contact Jessie DesRochers at jdesrochers@housewares.org or 847.692.0105.

ENTER NOW!

Submission deadline: December 13, 2024

Don't miss out on this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!
Career-Boosting Opportunity: Winning projects will be displayed at The Inspired Home Show 2025, attended by key industry figures.
All-Inclusive Trip: Winners receive paid travel, lodging, and per diems to attend the Show in Chicago (Feb 28 - Mar 5, 2025).

Eligibility:

Open to undergraduate and graduate industrial design students in North America and abroad. Team projects are allowed. Graduates from Spring 2024 are also eligible, provided the project was completed before graduation.

Key Dates:

Entry Deadline: December 13, 2024 (11:59 PM CST)
Winner Notification: January 31, 2025

How to Enter:

Find the Opportunity you Have Been Looking For!

The International Housewares Association

2025 STUDENT DESIGN COMPETITION