Rules

ELIGIBILITY

• Entrants must be enrolled and active students in a college/university majoring in a commercial interiors discipline (i.e., interior design, textiles, architecture, etc.) ​
• College/university staff members, interior design professionals, or recent college/university graduates do not qualify to participate.
• Student Membership in NEWH is required (membership fee waived for students)
• Become A Member Now

DESIGN REQUIREMENTS

The challenge: Create fresh and innovative designs for either a private or public space of a hotel with the provided floorplans and design restrictions below. Be creative, only the walls are your limits!

Using the CAD file (provided in PCX format) of a standard Ballroom & Pre-function, Corridor & Guestroom area, create a design solution considering the following:

1. Create a story/mood board based on a theme of your choice. Include a one paragraph write up about your story and why it inspired your designs.
2. Select a color palette using a maximum of 12 colors that connects with your story board.
3. Create a design package based on your story/mood board for one of the two areas listed below:
   
   1. Area 1: Private space
      Design a guestroom corridor and coordinating guestroom carpet
   2. Area 2: Public Space
      Design a ballroom and a coordinating pre-function space

Submissions should include the following:

1. Story board on an 11x17 PDF.
2. A one paragraph writeup on your design and why you decided on the story
3. Designs in the provided CAD space (public or private) saved as a TIFF
4. Your design file(s) without the CAD/floorplan on top, saved as a PSD

Please think of each area as your blank canvas, designs confined only by the walls, the most innovative approach would be to avoid using surface patterns with an obvious repeat, with the exception of textural elements used to add detail and layering. We'd like to see how the entire floor space could become one large design.

Submit final patterns with photos or visuals, concept boards, sketches, write up, or other inspiration for PDI (Precision Dye Injected) carpets. Completed package to be sent to Durkan for judging.

Download files:

Public Space PCX Private Space PCX

JUDGING CRITERIA

• Concept
• Presentation
• Market Feasibility

QUESTIONS

If you have any questions, please refer to our FAQ section. If you cannot find your answer there, email us at dscover@rsvpcomm.com.

TERMS & CONDITIONS

1. Student membership in NEWH is required (membership fee waived for students).Contest is intended for currently enrolled college students only.
2. One entry per person.
3. Entries cannot be returned. Entry uploads can be revised/replaced up until the deadline of March 15, 2022
4. Entrants warrant that the submissions are their own original work and do not infringe the work of any third party.
5. All submissions shall become the property of Durkan and/or its affiliates and Durkan and/or its affiliates shall own all copyrights and other proprietary rights created, including the creation of derivative works of such submissions. If requested by Durkan, entrants agree to sign any documents necessary to confirm Durkan’s ownership of the submission.
6. Durkan reserves the right to use winning entries for promotion or display. All designs will always be credited with creator's name for the life of the pattern when used for promotional purposes.
7. Winner must provide a publication quality headshot.
8. By entering this competition and accepting the Prize, you grant Durkan the right to edit, publish, promote, and otherwise use your entry either as submitted or in edited form without further permission, notice, or compensation, including but not limited to Durkan product catalog, website, and other media outlets.
9. All entrants must complete all questions on the online Entry Form. Finalists who do not provide contact information will be eliminated from the competition.
10. Professional carpet designers such as free lance designers commissioned by a carpet manufacturer or a staff designer for a carpet manufacturer are not eligible.

Deadline midnight (EST) Tuesday, March 15, 2022

COMPLETE THE ENTRY FORM

Forms

Cross the t’s and dot the eyes. It’s time to show us what you’ve got. Create your designs and fill out the form.

HOW TO ENTER

1. Fill out form to register. Click on this link to the registration form: http://durkan.rsvpcomm.com/access/registration. Once the registration is completed and an account created with a password, the user will be able to then login, check their status, update contact info, add comments and upload design files and required documents.
2. Submittal Package to Include:
   1. Story board on an 11x17 PDF saved in the following format: entrynumber_storyboard.pdf
   2. A one paragraph writeup on your design and why you decided on the story (8.5x11) in the following format: entrynumber_writeup.pdf
   3. Designs in the provided CAD space (public or private) saved as a TIFF in the following format: entrynumber_designprivate.tiff OR entrynumber_designpublic.tiff
   4. Your design file(s) without the CAD/floorplan on top, saved as a PSD: entrynumber_design1.psd; entrynumber_design2.psd
3. Only one entry per person
4. Entries must be dated no later than midnight (EST) Tuesday, March 15, 2022.

JUDGING CRITERIA

Please keep these elements in mind by which your entry will be judged.

• Concept
• Presentation
• Market Feasibility

COMPLETE THE ENTRY FORM

Entries must be dated no later than midnight (EST) Tuesday, March 15, 2022. Entries dated after this date & time will not be eligible for judging.

FAQ

• Can I get an extension on the deadline?
  No. Entries must be received by the deadline (Tuesday, March 15th, 2022).
• Will you confirm receipt of my submission?
  When you register and create an account you will be able to check the status of your registration, update contact information, add comments and upload design files and required documents. You will also receive reminder e-mails to log-in and finalize entries.
• I have already sent in my submission, can I still make a change?
  Yes. Due to the new digital format you can now make changes as long as it is before the final submission date of March 15, 2022.
• When will we know if our entry was chosen?
  Winners will be contacted confidentially no later than the end of March 2022. Official announcement of winners will be communicated via email by early April 2022. Because of the number of entries we receive, we can only notify people whose work is accepted.
• Do the patterns have to relate or coordinate to each other?
  This is up to your discretion and you are free to design how you think the two patterns work best. Most often in this type of application there is a link between the designs. This could be with color, or technique, or design element etc.
• Can partners or groups submit a design?
  No. Entries are to be designed and submitted individually.

Deadline Tuesday, March 15, 2022

Past Winners

Grand Prize Winner
Elizabeth Hadden
Utah State University

Impressions of Safavid Primitive to Persia's history, legends, or mystery is the ancient tradition of glazed ceramic art. Even today, the glory of modern-day Iran is locked within the Safavid era murals and mosaics that enrobe its mosques and museums. This majestic montage of color and meaning incoorperates patterns and themes inspired by timeless tilework and calligraphy at the heart of Iranian artistry. Muted for a modern touch, this design suggests glimmers of elegance, royalty, and enchantment without overwhelming surrounding decor. Evolved from the hues of coveted lapis lazuli and imperial treasuries, this design's subtle blues laced with gold hint at the heritage of magnificent empires of antiquity.

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Grand Prize Winner
Brianne Brooks
Utah State University

Inspired by the rich colors and depth of space nebulae, Cosmo is a cutting-edge carpet that completes an interior like no other. It is bold, futuristic, and creates strong electricity within a space. Contrast between the gray texture of the carpet and the striking blue emulates the bright, unexpected bolts of color in the dark void of space. Expect Cosmo to be the highlight at next year's Neocon!

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Grand Prize Winner
Meg Turner
Utah State University

Combining the drama of the written word with the rich detailing of gems, FACETS weaves brief moments of emotion to create a visual story for this space. Shards of light and dark tones that are reminiscent of light bouncing off a faceted gem combine with the smooth, scrawling script of written word and hint at a full spectrum of emotion. These juxtapositions add movement and depth to the carpet, making a visually dramatic composition. The pre-function space blends sprawling narrative script and geometric shards with variety in scale and color. The small pattern of geometric shards guides the users toward the doors of the ballroom, and the natural colors in this tread path will keep the carpet looking fresh for years. The pattern in the ballroom focuses on the geometric depth of faceted gems, and a cut and loop pattern in the carpet emphasizes the movement that is created in the gems as light hits them. This pattern creates greater depth in color and makes the space feel alive and dramatic. With a nine-color palette, FACETS beautifully melds graphics into the world of carpet design, creating depth and visual interest at every level of the space.

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Grand Prize Winner
Hailey Fonda
Utah State University

"Lumin reminds us of light. This collection is meant to inspire light and movement through the organic shapes and color. Inspired by the unique beauty of jellyfish, this collection emanates their inspiring visual and movement, which is shown throughout the ballroom and pre-function areas. The organic lines carry you throughout the space while creating a continuous motion and connection between the two areas."

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Grand Prize Winner
Natalie Dieters
Kirkwood Community College

"The two patterns were designed to conceptually match the ballroom space and many of the events that will take place in the space. The initial design was from a picture of graffiti in France. There are many places along the street with graffiti in France. The metro also has graffiti along the walls. Graffiti is unique and different for every person that creates it. It is an art form very different from most. The Pre-Function and Ballroom spaces are both unique designs just like graffiti around the world. When graffiti is around each other, it all works and flows together. Just as the Ballroom and Pre-Function spaces are different, but still look cohesive in the design."

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Grand Prize Winner
Abigail Kolar
Kirkwood Community College

"These two patterns were designed to conceptually match the ballroom space and many of the events that will occur there. The ballroom primarily serves as a space to hold events, gatherings bringing together family and friends. The concept of these designs are centered around the idea of community. The initial design was inspired from photos of stained glass windows found throughout Iowa. Just as stained glass windows are made up of several pieces of glass, each unique and important, so are communities. Each person is a unique individual, and when brought together, each individual is critical in making up the completed, beautiful picture."

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Grand Prize Winner - Professional
Ann Borrelli Smith
DPOVinteriors

"Inspired by the fashion forecast of Fall 13/14, this carpet collection is an homage to the Renaissance. This time period was known for wealth and innovation. Fabrics were lush with heavy brocade patterns. To update the Renaissance color palette and pattern, this collection was integrating black and cream with the addition of shadow and illusion."

Grand Prize Winner - Student
Libby Hurder
University of Northern Iowa

"Once I gathered inspiration pictures, I made the decision to focus on the vertical lines of the building. I chose grey to represent all of the concrete used in cities and the deep red to symbolize the color of the old brick in buildings. By overlapping and rotating my pattern, I hope to represent the hustle and bustle of the busy day to day city life."

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Grand Prize Winner - Professional
Alexandra Pilgrim
Lot 11, Ltd

Alexandra Pilgrim is artistic by nature. She sees the world in color, as textures, patterns, and shapes, in light and in dark. With a background in the hospitality industry she understands the importance of being trendsetting - not trendy, finding beauty in simplicity, providing exceptional quality in design and service, and always staying young at heart and mind. Through a formal education, at The Art Institute of Colorado, she learned to communicate creative ideas and hone her skill set. Her resume includes collaborative work on a variety of branded and boutique hotels across the country. In addition to free-lance design work, and a marketing position at Lines, a commercial furniture group, Ali is a Mother - her greatest creative accomplishment.

Grand Prize Winner - Student
Lorin Bordeville
Kwantlen Polytechnic University

I'll start with the idea that design has value. And, some 7,000 hours in design studies at Kwantlen has only just brushed the surface of a plethora of design possibilities. It is enlightening though, whether as a tool or speciality, that's emerged a field of immense interest: the opportunity to impact the lives of so many people through colour, drama and emotion. This is inspiring. I want to design more than just the functional requirements of space, but also the unique user experience that delivers meaningful emotion and curiosity. Nothing is more rewarding than to watch someone's face turn upward in awe as they experience a space for the first time and connect with it on a strong personal level. It is possible to dramatically improve the community, individual, social, and life-richness of people through the use of evidence-based design. I intend to design for the world. Work status: school full-time. Work interests: creative, collaborative environments. Design interests: hospitality, lighting, colour.

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Grand Prize Winner - Professional
Amy Bos
Kraemer Design Group

Amy is a licensed Interior Designer and Graphic Designer based out of Detroit, Michigan. After receiving her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Ringling College of Art and Design in Florida, she continued to explore her interest in the architectural profession by attending Harvard's Career Discovery summer program at the GSD. Working in a variety of cities throughout the U.S. such as Sarasota, Boston and Detroit, Amy has been able to contribute her skills to an eclectic array of design firms on projects that range from Interior Design to Urban Analysis. These experiences have enabled her to cultivate her own design approach, and have provided the opportunity to co-author an article on Urban Planning in the internationally published MONU Magazine. Amy's expertise in graphics, typography and strategy has become an integral part of her design process and the foundation for her style of communication. She enjoys working on diverse projects at a variety of scales, which allows her to bridge traditional professional divisions. Amy believes that an interdisciplinary approach is essential to creating meaningful creative dialogue and comprehensive design work.

Grand Prize Winner - Student
Yau Cheung
George Washington University

Yau Cheung is from Hong Kong and currently a junior at George Washington University, pursuing a bachelor degree in Interior Design. Originally majoring in Biochemistry, Yau changed his plans after interning at a furniture company based in Hong Kong, where he became intrigued by the concept of interior design. "To me, designing a space is an art that people might not necessarily notice or understand but they can all feel and sense. It is not just as simple as picking a chair or choosing a textile, it is to create a desired atmosphere that is generated by combinations of color, textile and fabric, etc. I love how much surprise design can bring. Design by itself entails a lot of autonomy and freedom. If it wasn't for this design competition, I would never have converted what I have experienced in Japan into a tangible carpet pattern. It is almost like engraving the feelings I felt for Japan back then into a carpet."

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Grand Prize Winner - Professional
Karen Bradley
Group One Partners, Inc

Karen Bradley is the marketing coordinator at Group One Partners, Inc.—a Boston-based architecture, interior design and purchasing firm specializing in the hospitality industry. With more than five years of experience in graphic design and marketing, Karen is an integral part of the marketing and design team that focuses on new business development and internal and external communications initiatives for the firm. She holds an associate’s degree in graphic design from Ballyfermont College in Dublin, Ireland and a certificate in design and visual studies from The Liberties College in Dublin, Ireland. Karen is also an active member of The Hospitality Industry Network (NEWH) and The Professional Association of Design (AIGA). She enjoys working in the creative industry and being surrounded by all sources of inspiration—from nature and architecture to typography.

Grand Prize Winner - Student
Emily Riebkes
University of Northern Iowa

Emily is currently a Sophomore Interior Design Student at the University of Northern Iowa, and works as a C.N.A. at a nursing home. She chose to get educated in Interior Design because of her love for different buildings and their architecture inside and out. Working in a nursing home has also given her perspective on how much an environment impacts a person’s well-being, both in comfort and safety. The designs I created specifically for this competition were based off of “Nature’s Natural Beauty.” As we constantly try to creep closer and closer to accomplishing green design all around the United States, I realize that we need to come up with creative ways to influence others of the same thing. If we constantly try to teach people about saving our environment by the materials we use in different products, why not express this idea by putting nature’s beauty on display? I based my design strictly off of the ripples and reflections of water. Any student would be extremely thankful for this opportunity and I would just like everyone to know how truly grateful I am. This is a great accomplishment that will help start me on my way to the career of my dreams.”