2026 Design Excellence Awards

DEA

Rules & Regulations

2026 Design Excellence Awards Competition Presented by ASID New Jersey Chapter

The 2026 DEA is sponsored by the New Jersey Chapter of the American Society of Interior Designers. By entering this competition, You – the Entrant - represent and warrant that you have read, understand, and agree to these Official Rules including but not limited to, the Competition Rules, Regulations and Eligibility Guidelines, Competition Entrant Terms and Conditions, Indemnification Requirements and Release as set forth below. These Official Rules will form a binding agreement between the Chapter and the Entrant.

Please refer to the category-specific rules and regulations for detailed information on the following categories:

• Commercial

• Residential

• Historic Preservation

• Student

• Industry Partner

Key Dates and Details for the 2026 Design Excellence Awards

 

Competition Timeline

• Registration and Submission Period: February 2 - March 29, 2026

• Early Bird Registration: February 2 - March 2, 2026

• Judging Period: April 6 - May 6, 2026

• Awards Gala: Winners announced on June 3, 2026

 

Entry Fees

• ASID, Allied, Associate, Affiliate, and Industry Partners:

  • Early Bird Fees (February 2 - March 2)

    • First entry: $130

    • Additional Entries: $105 each

  • Regular Fees:

    • First entry: $155

    • Additional Entries: $130 each

• Student Members:

  • First entry: $30 per entry

  • Additional Entries: $15 per entry

 

Important Rules

• There is no waiting period between registering and submitting entries.

• All entry information must be complete and submitted by March 29, 2026.

• Entry fees are non-refundable and non-transferable.

 

Eligibility Requirements

 

Membership and Age

• Open to all ASID Members of the New Jersey Chapter who are:

• In good standing.

• Eighteen years or older.

Project Ownership

• If the Entrant is employed by a firm or part of a team, they must be the primary interior designer on record for the project.

• Entrants must be the lead designer on the project. This means:

• No other designer(s), architects(s), or builder(s) can claim the project as their own.

• Retail stores and franchises are eligible only if the Entrant is the lead designer of the original concept.

• Exception: For IP Product Entries, an ASID NJ Industry Partner may collaborate with an ASID NJ Designer Member.

Industry Partner Requirement

• Projects must involve at least two (2) Local, Regional, or National ASID Industry Partner (IP) Members.

• Industry Partners must be current members or have been members at the time the project was completed.

• Include all Industry Partners used in the project submission.

Previous Awards

• Only projects that have not previously won an ASID NJ Design Excellence Award are eligible.

Category Assignment

• ASID NJ reserves the right to reassign a project to the appropriate category if necessary.

 

Disqualification Criteria

 

Identification of Entrant or Collaborators

• Any information identifying the Entrant’s name, logo, or collaborating party in the project description, images, or drawings will result in disqualification, except:

• For commercial projects where the client’s logo is permitted.

• In IP Categories where logos are allowed.

 

Ownership Challenges

• If another designer, architect, builder, or vendor challenges the Entrant’s ownership of the design:

• The Chapter will investigate the claim.

• If evidence shows the Entrant is not the lead designer, the award will be rescinded.

Industry Partner Requirement

• Entries that do not identify and utilize at least two (2) ASID Industry Partners will be disqualified.

 

Submission Requirements

• All entries must include:

• A complete furniture floor plan with:

• Architectural scale clearly identified.

• Total square footage indicated (for submissions with multiple rooms, include the total square footage of the project).

• Missing square footage will result in disqualification.

 

Prohibited Submissions

• Computer-rendered images, elevations, or sketches are not allowed (except for student entries).

• Only photographs of physically installed projects are permitted.

• Submissions of previously winning entries or images from past ASID NJ Design Excellence Awards will not be considered.

 

Image Restrictions

• The same image may not appear in more than two categories.

 

Prizes/Scoring

 

Awards Levels:

• Gold Award: Minimum score of 47.

• Silver Award: Minimum score of 43.

• Bronze Award: Minimum score of 38.

 

Winners per Category:

• One winner per level in each category, except in the case of a numerical tie.

 

Score Range:

• Scores for each submission range from 0 to 50 points.

• Projects must meet the minimum score in their category to qualify for an award.

 

Judges’ Decisions:

• All decisions made by the judges are final and binding.

 

Award Announcements:

• Winners will be announced at the Design Excellence Awards event on June 3, 2026.

 

Please refer to the category-specific rules and regulations for detailed information on the following categories:

• Commercial

• Residential

• Historic Preservation

• Student

• Industry Partner