Deadlines for Student Merit Awards

This year’s IDSA National Student Merit Awards competition is rapidly approaching! We want to inform all area student members of the key dates in conjunction with this award competition. This annual tradition is designed to encourage, reward and celebrate excellence in industrial design education. It serves as an excellent practice realm and professional growth exercise for students. The valuable feedback, networking and publicity opportunities that students receive are instrumental in making contacts and launching careers.

We encourage all design students to participate in this design competition, as it is a great opportunity to exercise what you have learned in school and expose your design work for professional feedback. For any questions, please contact Karen at ng.karen.k@gmail.com

Participation requirements:

Each student participant must be a member of IDSA and their student chapter recognized by IDSA Nationals. Recognition by IDSA Nationals requires a minimum of 5 students to be a part of your student chapter. If these requirements are met, the student member (Juniors and Seniors only) is qualified to participate. If you have any questions about your school’s Student Chapter, please email Karen, IDSA NW Student Liaison at ng.karen.k@gmail.com

Competition Rounds:

Round 1 - Mail-in Portfolio Review

Students are to submit a 5-page, 8.5”x11” printed portfolio teaser for review. Submissions must be received by Monday March 5th at 5pm. Please send your portfolio to:

J Logan

Attn: Joe Kent

2010 Broadway Ave  Seattle, WA 98102 

*If you wish to receive your portfolio back, make sure to include an SASE with your submission. 

Drop off is only available on March 5th and requires advance notice for drop-off – call 206.290.5876 to setup a drop-off time.

In this first round, a panel of judges will evaluate the portfolio teasers and select three Juniors and three Seniors from each school to advance to the next round. Results will be announced by the end of the week on Friday March 9th.

* Attached below is a poster highlighting the date and details for Mail-In Portfolio Review. Please print and post this in a conspicuous place at your school.

Round 2 - Nominated Student Portfolio Presentation

On Saturday, April 7th, selected Junior and Senior nominees will have the opportunity to present a digital version of their portfolio in front of a panel of judges comprised of local ID professionals. Each presentation may last up to 10 minutes, followed by a five-minute Q&A session. Based on these presentations, judges will select one Junior and one Senior from each school to win a Student Merit Award. (The location will be in Seattle; specific details will be provided.)

Senior Merit Award Winners will receive free admission to the Western District Conference (May 4th-5th in Seattle, WA) where they will present their digital portfolios to compete for the Western District Student Merit Award. Junior Merit Award Winners will have the opportunity to present their digital portfolios at the annual Junior Show in May.

Round 3 - Senior Student Merit Award Presentation

2012 IDSA Western District Conference - Seattle

Senior Student Merit Award Winners selected from the previous round will present at the Western District Conference (May 4th -5th) in Seattle. From these students, one is chosen as the overall winner for the Western District.

Final Round - National Student Merit Award Presentation

2012 IDSA International Conference - Boston   The overall Western District Student Merit Award winner will present at the 2012 IDSA International Conference (Aug 16th – 18) in Boston.   

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