Interior Design – Competition time!

The British Institute of Interior Design (BIID) has recently announced that entry is now open for their 2024 Student Drawing Competition.

Student competitions are a great way for you to hone your skills whilst still studying. It gives you the opportunity to work to a deadline, push your creativity and presentation skills, and do something beyond your normal comfort zone. If you can find a few extra hours to compile an entry – it is definitely worth having a go.

Future employers will be impressed by students that have pushed themselves in this way – even if they did not win the competition. It shows determination and a sense of pride in your work which is really valuable to anyone who you may work with after you complete your studies and graduate.

What is the BIID Student Drawing Competition all about?

The competition is divided into three categories. You can enter an entirely digital drawing (no hand drawing or collage). You can enter a hand drawing (no digital adaptation or collage). Or you can enter a hybrid drawing, which should be a combination of digital, hand drawing and/or collage. It is up to you.

You already make drawings for all parts of your course work throughout your studies, so you could enter a drawing that you have already created. Or you could make an entirely new drawing (of an interior space that you are creating or imagining) if that is your preferred option. For inspiration, and an idea of the type of drawings that they might be looking for, you can find last years winning entries on the BIID website here https://biid.org.uk/news/winners-biid-student-drawing-competition-2023-announced

How to enter:

First you need to become a student member of the British Institute of Interior Design (BIID). It’s free, and is a really good way to start exploring the professional world of interior spatial design. For more information about how to become a student member try this link https://biid.org.uk/become-member/student 

Once you have gained student membership you’ll be able to enter your drawing(s) in the competition. For further details about entry requirements and how to enter follow this link https://biid.org.uk/news/biid-student-drawing-competition-2024

Key dates:

The competition opened for entries on 14th March 2024 (it was a couple of weeks ago, so if you want to enter you need to get your skates on!).

The competition closes at 5pm UK time on 16th May 2024.

The judging will be held on 5th June 2024.

The winners will be announced on 20th June 2024.

Remember that it isn’t really about winning the competition – the point is to start to get your work ‘out there’, to have other people look at it (not just your student peers and tutors) and tell you what they think. Being a professional interior designer is all about sharing your designs, drawings and ideas with others – so this is a great opportunity to do that.

What happens next?

Submit your drawing(s) and then wait patiently for the winners of each category to be announced on the BIID website. Each lucky winner will receive a prize of £500, but every entrant will gain enormously just from the process of making a drawing and entering the competition – so you have nothing to lose!

If you’d like any advice about your entry, or help with choosing a drawing to send, you can get in touch with me directly via email catherinebyrne@oca.ac.uk 

Remember that the final deadline for all entries is 5pm UK time on 16th May 2024.

Good luck 🙂