Value of Design Awards (VODA)
Description
Value of Design Awards (VODA) take into consideration the design process, including framing/re-framing of the design challenge, the research used to identify deep-seated human needs and business drives, the inspiration for the resultant design direction, and the steps for implementation towards a realized solution. To be recognized, the solution must address business and/or human challenges and demonstrate how the design provides a benefit to the client's organization or to the people experiencing the designed space. For all information related to this award, please refer to the VODA application brief.
Submission Fee:
- Discounted price: $245 + HST (with code)
- Regular price: $295 +HST
Deadline: May 8, 2026, 12 p.m. ET
Questions? Please contact communications@idcanada.org
Requirements
For the full set of requirements, see the VODA application brief.
Criteria
| Criterion | Weight |
|---|---|
| Articulation of the design challenge | 10.0% |
| Approach to solving the design challenge | 10.0% |
| Solutions to the design challenge | 40.0% |
| Inventive design incorporated into the project solution | 20.0% |
| Benefit of the design achieved for the client | 20.0% |
Student Competition
Description
The potential of design to positively change and add value to our lives is the focus of this recognition. As designers, we are trained to use design thinking processes to better understand the people for whom we are designing. Entries may be concepts or innovative processes at any scale or in any sector. Submissions must clearly communicate the intended value to the people, business, or society at large. Read the application brief to learn more.
There is no submission fee for this application. Once you have completed the application, please ‘add to cart' to proceed. No payment will be required as the cost will total $0.
Deadline: May 8, 2026, 12 p.m. ET
Requirements
The competition is open to all IDC students in a post-secondary (under-graduate and graduate studies) program in Canada.
Individuals who graduated from a post-secondary program within the past year may submit work completed during their last year of studies.
Criteria
| Criterion | Weight |
|---|---|
| Design concept | 20.0% |
| Design approach | 20.0% |
| Design challenges | 20.0% |
| Value of design | 40.0% |
Innovation Award
Description
Exclusively for IDC Industry Partners, the Innovation Awards program was established in 1984 to honour excellence in product design and new showroom creativity. Partners are eligible to submit entries for multiple products. Entries must address multiple criteria, including problem-solving, budget, strategy, environmental responsiveness, sustainability, and marketing objectives. Read the Innovation Awards application brief.
Submission Fees:
- $499 + HST for first product submission entry.
- $120 + HST for subsequent product submission entry.
Application Opens: Early April.
Questions? Please contact communications@idcanada.org
Requirements
The competition is open to all IDC industry partners. Partners are eligible to submit entries for multiple products. IDC reserves the right not to award in any category if projects submitted are deemed without sufficient merit.
