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DDA’s annual student competition recognizes student decorating and design excellence throughout Canada in a variety of different categories.
The intention of the competition is to ensure a level playing field for all eligible students, regardless of their school’s level of commitment to and involvement in the competition. The entry format is intended to accommodate the wide range of school program standards found in Canada. This year’s competition closes on Sunday June 30, 2024 at 11:59 PM EST (DEADLINE EXTENDED).
The competition is open to students recently enrolled in or graduated from any DDA-recognized decorating and design program. To participate in the competition, entrants must provide proof of the following:
Student Member: CAD$50.00 + tax per entry
Student Non-Member: CAD$100 + tax per entry
The competition recognized the future of decorating and design in Canada through student concept projects.
For the student competition, the following elements are required:
Design Statement
Digital Presentation Board (in lieu of project image)
Your board should NOT contain your name, the institutes you are attending or any other identifying information.
Drawings
Your drawings should NOT contain your name, the institutes you are attending or any other identifying information.
Basic project information includes a headshot, bio, and proof of enrollment/graduation.
Entries must be the principal work of the entrant submitting the entry. Entrants who worked collaboratively on a project may submit the project as a team.
Winners will be announced to the public in the Fall of 2024 at the DDA Awards Gala. Winners may be notified privately ahead of the event.
Note that depending on the number of entries received, categories may be collapsed.
This category includes student projects that feature design and/or decoration of any residential or commercial single room interior space.
Any residential project that is not a kitchen or bathroom, following the principles of Universal Design (at least 3 of the 7), Wellness (Biophilia/mind, air, light, comfort/ergonomics, materials, sound, & movement) or Sustainability (waste reduction, energy efficiency & longevity). These practices must be the project’s focus and align with the client brief. Entries can include up to but not exceeding two (2) residential space of the house, apartment or condo.
This category includes student projects that feature design and/or decoration of any residential or commercial multi-room interior space.
This category includes student projects that demonstrate an understanding of the application of the seven principles of Universal Design in a residential kitchen space.
This category includes student projects that demonstrate an understanding of the application of the seven principles of Universal Design in a residential bathroom space.
Entrants may enter up to two separate projects, and can only enter once per category. The entry itself consists of three main components: 1- A single pdf upload of the student’s project (with identifying information removed). 2- Students are encouraged to submit their existing school projects with minimal modifications. 3- Project detail descriptions. 4- Basic entrant info, including proof of enrollment/graduation. It is intended that students will be able to submit their existing school projects to the competition with minimal modification and effort.
Entries are judged on their conceptual components only, regardless of whether they will be or have been executed in the real world. Entries are judged anonymously by a panel of design industry professionals. Judging takes place over two rounds; a qualifying round to establish the finalists, followed by a final judging round to establish the winners.
Entrant support will include a pre-recorded entry form walk-through, as well as a live overview and Q&A webinar, which will be recorded. There will also be email support via DDA Head Office. These resources are offered free of charge to entrants.