The design competition is an opportunity for university designers’ work to be reviewed and critiqued by professional practicing interior designers in the field.

Each year the Association of University Interior Designers gathers for conference at a different higher education institution to tour projects, network with other campus designers, and celebrate the projects completed during the last year. The design competition provides the opportunity for members work to be reviewed and critiqued by professional practicing interior designers in the field.

Qualifying projects are submitted by AUID designers and categorized according to the square footage and space type. Design competition guidelines must be strictly followed to be considered eligible for judging. Award winners will be announced during the annual conference at the Awards Banquet.

2023 competition details
Design competition winners

2023 Design Competition Guidelines & Entry Forms

Submissions are CLOSED! Deadline for submissions is September 5, 2023 at midnight! Contact Kara Holland, Design Competition Coordinator, with any questions.

Qualified projects shall include any university project using either “in‐house” design and project coordination or outside architects and designers with university review and project coordination. Entries shall not have won previous AUID design competition awards. Entries must have been completed within two years of competition date.

Student Life & Academics
under 5,000 sq. ft. 5,000–20,000 sq. ft. over 20,000 sq. ft.
Athletic, Health, & Wellness
under 5,000 sq. ft. 5,000–20,000 sq. ft. over 20,000 sq. ft.
Miscellaneous campus Space
under 5,000 sq. ft. 5,000–20,000 sq. ft. over 20,000 sq. ft.
Specialty Projects
Any size project
Additional Information
  • “Student Life & Academics” includes residential life, dining, unions, classrooms, labs, etc.
  • “Athletics, Health & Wellness” includes: all athletic spaces, rec centers, locker rooms, team spaces, wellness rooms, medical facilities, etc.
  • “Miscellaneous Campus Spaces” includes any spaces not covered in the other categories (for example: administrative offices, religious spaces, theaters, exteriors, etc.)
  • “Specialty” entries might include signage, graphics, art installation, custom millwork, etc.
Entry Format

All entries shall be submitted using the appropriate PowerPoint presentation entry form and sent to the AUID Design Competition email: info@auid.org. Send a separate email for each entry.

Use the following naming convention of the file “Project Category‐ Designer Name”, for example “Student Life & Academics Under 5,000 sq.ft.‐ Kara Holland”.

Please follow instructions as noted on the entry form. All applicable fields on the form shall be completed. If a field is not applicable, please leave this field blank.

Designers may only submit a maximum of FIVE entries total for consideration. In order to preserve anonymity with the judges, the identity of your name and institution should not be in your design intent statement or in photos (where possible).

Project Statement

Describe in 300 words or less. This statement should include your design intent and could also include project specific information (such as: budget, brief scope of work, etc.).

Accomplishments or Special Features

Describe in 150 words or less. This should include any accomplishments or features of the project.

Photos

Each submission is allowed up to eight photos total. The designer can decide how many of those photos are before vs. after, in a way that best showcases your project.

Floor Plans

Each submission is allowed up to four floor plans total. The designer can decide how many of those floor plans are before vs. after, in a way that best showcases their project. Photos cannot take the place of floor plans.

Judges are selected by the conference planning committee. The committee will select 3‐5 judges. They shall be professional interior designers, architects, or representatives of the local design community.

First, Second and Third place will be awarded in each category. A “Best of Show” will also be awarded. It is up to the discretion of the judges whether all places will be awarded.