IIDA WI CHAPTER | SWMF
2026 CELEBRATE in DESIGN - STUDENT SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS
ELIGIBILITY & GENERAL INFORMATION

Each year, the IIDA Wisconsin Chapter proudly honors the creativity, dedication, and emerging talent of our student members. Through this annual competition, students are empowered to showcase their design work, gain visibility within the interior design community, and compete for valuable scholarship awards that support their academic and professional growth.

Submissions due January 31, 2026

Category Winner | $1500 scholarship

(Awarded for each of 4 categories)

Scholarships are awarded from the IIDA WI - Susan Wohlitz Memorial Fund

ELIGIBLILITY

The Celebrate in Design (CiD) competition is open to all IIDA WI student members attending a WI college or university.
- Those not yet members may become eligible by joining IIDA through the online student application.
Participants may be individuals or part of a design team engaged in the practice of design but must be one of the individuals who worked on the project entered.
- All students on the team must be members to receive the scholarship awards. Awards are split evenly between team members who are current IIDA WI chapter members.
The project must have been completed after January 1st, 2024.
If the project has previously won an award from IIDA WI then it can not be resubmitted.
If a project has been submitted previously into CiD and not won in ANY category, then it can be resubmitted.
Students are eligible to enter only (1) project in each of the four categories
All entries must adhere to entry requirements and judging criteria. Failure to comply with these specifications will result in disqualification of entry and forfeiture of the entry fees.

Note: The winning projects will be published on the IIDA Wisconsin Chapter website. By submitting, each entrant certifies that permission has been obtained from the photographer(s) to publish the photographs and images submitted.

JUDGING CRITERIA

Project Concept Statement: Clearly outlines project programming requirements, addresses the project challenges, and defines concepts for how the design provides a solution to the project challenges.
Design Intent: Ideas from the Project Concept Statement are evident throughout the overall design. Concepts implemented in the design represent innovation and ingenuity in design.
Material Use: Demonstrates a thoughtful and successful application of materials and interior finishes throughout the overall design. The project considers the environmental impact of the selected materials and interior finishes.
Creativity: The project implements design elements that contribute to the use of space, as well as the overall aesthetic of the design, while still being code-compliant. Elements that contribute to the overall design include architectural detailing, lighting, and furnishings.
Technical Proficiency: Includes a minimum of (4) project photos or design renderings in pdf or jpg format. Validates correct understanding and practical application of drawing and/or rendering software.

Winners are determined by a jury of IIDA WI professional members. (1) Category winner may be given in each category if the projects meet all criteria and score requirements, and if the jury feels they are of appropriate design and caliber for recognition.

Note: Total points awarded by judges will determine if an award will be given, judges reserve the right to determine the level of award given (per points calculated). The SWMF committee reserves the right to review all submissions and award levels.

REQUIREMENTS

(1) Project requirements if given by the professor.
(1) Project concept statement (pdf) - 1 page pdf (as long as it fits on on the 1 page PDF in reasonable size font (10 or 11)
- In your project statement please include your concept ideas that were used to describe your design intent. Describe any details that you feel would be important to explain how you came to the final design and execution of that design. A project statement can include descriptions of materials and any unique design features that are integral as part of your design.
(1) Floorplan (pdf) - must be in PDF format but multiple pages are allowed in the 1 pdf document.
Minimum of (4), maximum (8) project photos in pdf or jpg
No identification of student name shall be included in the Design Concept Statement, Project Challenges, Project Design Solutions, or in file name. Entries failing to follow instructions will be disqualified.
No identification of student name shall be visible on uploaded photography and/or drawings (including file names). Entries failing to follow instructions will be disqualified.

AWARDS EVENT

The Celebrate in Design will take place on Thursday, April 16, 2026 at The Edgewater Hotel - Madison. Registration will open in January 2026.

Thank you for participating and good luck!

IIDA Wisconsin

2026 Student Design Competition

Category List