2025 Design Excellence Awards

ASID Washington State

Design Excellence Awards 2025

Celebrating 50 Years of ASID

The Design Excellence Awards are held to honor those who have achieved excellence in commercial and residential interior design. Recognizing artisan spirit, talent, hard work, and dedication, the Design Excellence Awards are a unique opportunity to highlight your work and acknowledge the work of your peers.

ASID WA Chapter represents 400+ members across WA, OR & BC. All members of the ASID Washington State Chapter are eligible (including WA, OR & BC). You must be a current member in good standing to be eligible for a member entry.  

THANK YOU FOR PARTICIPATING AND GOOD LUCK!

Design Competition Official Rules & Requirements

Registration: June 6th - July 15th, 2025

ASID Member Rate: $150 for the first entry and $100 for additional entries

Student Rate: $25 per student entry

All members of the ASID Washington State Chapter are eligible (including OR & BC). You must be a current member in good standing to be eligible for a member entry. 

It is the entrant's responsibility to ensure that the project meets the rules, regulations, category criteria, and eligibility requirements as outlined in this document.

• NO identifying information including names, places or people is to be on drawings, photographs or Project Narrative. The name of the designer, logo, or business on any submitted materials (unless part of a commercial project where the business name or logo appears) will disqualify an entry.
• A single project may only be entered once unless submitted separately under Best Use of Product and another category.
  • For example, you may not enter the same kitchen in both the "Kitchen" and "Residential Space" categories; however, you may enter a kitchen in "Kitchen" and also submit a custom light fixture from that kitchen under "Best Use of Product"
• Project completion date must be after January 1, 2023.
•  The ASID Design Awards Committee reserves the right to disqualify any entrant for incomplete or incorrect submissions.
• Entry fees are non-refundable, including in cases where an entry is disqualified or not uploaded within the given time frame.
• Judging will be performed anonymously by volunteer members from other ASID chapters.
• All documents, before-and-after photographs, and drawings submitted become the property of ASID WA State.
• ASID WA State reserve full discretion to utilize winners' photographs in any publication, electronic format, or other media and cannot guarantee the inclusion of any or all winners’ photography or designer information in publications. 
• Entries that have previously won an award through ASID Washington State may not be resubmitted.
• Entries that have previously been entered but not awarded through ASID Washington State may be resubmitted.
• Designers may submit up to two entries per category.
• Winners will be announced at the 2025 ASID Washington State Annual Meeting on Thursday, September 25, 2025.

Entry Requirements

1. Professional Photography
   
   • Submit a minimum of 1 and a maximum of 10 professional photographs.
   • All photo files must be 300 dpi JPG format suitable for reproduction.
   • Each file must not exceed 10MB in size.
2. Project Drawings
   • Submit a minimum of 1 and a maximum of 3 drawings (JPG or PDF format).
   • Include only drawings relevant to the areas shown in your professional photographs.
   • Required drawing:
     • Overall Floorplan
       • Format plan(s) to scale.
   • Optional additional drawings:
     • Examples include: as-built/before plan, lighting plan, elevation, detail plan, or rendering.
3. Before Photos (Optiaonl but Recommended)
   • Submit up to 4 before photos.
   • Include only before photos of areas directly related to your professional photographs.
   • Before photos are optional but highly recommended for remodeled projects.
4. Publicity Release Forms
   • A signed photography release form must be submitted with your entry.
   • A signed client release form must be submitted with your entry.
5. Project Information (not visible to Judges)
   • Resource List of at least the top three vendors/manufacturers or installers whose products or work appear in the photographs.
     • Example: Fireplace Cabinets, manufactured by ABC cabinetry, supplied by XYZ Showroom
   • Primary Designer(s) to be credited, including full name(s) and ASID appellations (appellation required).
   • Primary Designer's company name, email address, phone number, and website.
6. Project Narrative - 400 word maximum - Must include the following, bullet format preferred:
   • Project Narrative (maximum 400 words): Describe the project, including the estimated project square footage and relevant details to demonstrate the skill set used to formulate the design. Must include the following:
     • Three project challenges: Identify and explain how you overcame them.
     • Three project goals or unique features: Highlight goals achieved and/or what makes the project stand out.

Judging Criteria - 100 points possible

• Presentation (30 points): Overall impression and quality of photography.
• Overall Originality (20 points): Creativity of the design. Distinctive use of materials, space and design elements. 
• Design Solution (20 points): Project explanation and designer intent are supported through the narrative, goals, and supporting documents. Locations of professional photography must be clearly noted on the floor plan.
• Space Planning (15 points): Overall effectiveness of the layout and functionality. Scale and proportion are appropriate for the space.
• Materials, Colors, Textures & Patterns (15 points): Relationships complement one another. Overall effectiveness of the color scheme.