Recognizing Young Industrial Design Talent Since 1993
Propel Your Design Career
- Meet industry executives looking for new product ideas
Win a Cash Prize
- $12,000 in cash prizes, plus travel and lodging
- Winners’ schools also receive cash grants
Once-in-a-Lifetime Experience
- Your design displayed at The Inspired Home Show 2025
The Global Innovation Award (gia) Student Design Competition, sponsored by the International Housewares Association (IHA), began in 1993. It is recognized by designpractitioners and professors as a valuable contribution to industrial design education. This rigorous competition is judged by design professionals and managers at housewares companies. Each entry receives two written evaluations. Top winners come to Chicago to exhibit their product concepts at The Inspired Home Show, IHA’s Gobal Home - Housewares Market.
RULES
Who can enter?
Undergraduate and graduate industrial design students enrolled in a degree-granting program at any university in North America or other countries may enter. Spring 2024 graduates are eligible if the project was completed before graduation. A student may enter more than one project. Team projects are allowed. If a team project is selected as a winner, IHA pays for travel for one student and the team splits the cash award.
What are the prizes?
- Judges allocate $12,000 in cash prizes. An additional $3,000 is donated to the winners’ schools.
- Winning projects are displayed at The Inspired Home Show, March 2-4, 2025, McCormick Place, Chicago
- Winners receive travel, per diems and lodging for five nights (Friday, February 28 Wednesday, March 5). IHA will cover the cost for economy-class flights up to $1,500 round trip to and from Chicago. Winners must be available for the exhibit and media.
- Winners will be notified by email by January 31, 2025.
- Honorable Mentions receive a small cash award. They are not required to attend the Show. Honorable Mentions are included in media information.
Awards Available: 6
Award Deadline: Dec 13, 2024