Student Design Competition

Meet the Winners of IHA’s 20th Annual Student Design Competition!

Be inspired by the young design talent at the student competition display in the Hall of Global Innovation in the Lakeside Center lobby. Visit with this year’s six winners who will be present to explain their concepts for products of the future. They will receive their awards on Sunday, March 3 at 4:30 p.m. in the Innovation Theater, Lakeside Center E350. The program will also celebrate the program’s 20 th anniversary with the recognition of past winners, judges and participating instructors.

The annual International Housewares Association (IHA) Student Design Competition recognizes and rewards young design talent and encourages career opportunities in the housewares industry. Over the program’s 20 years, more than 4,200 entries have been submitted, 160 professionals have served as judges, and 125 students have kickstarted their careers by appearing at the Show.

The Student Design Competition began in 1993 and is recognized by design practitioners and professors as a valuable contribution to industrial design education. Industrial design students submit projects that require user and market research, design thinking, engineering drawings and tested prototypes. The rigorous requirements prepare students for real-world employer expectations. Top winners come to Chicago to exhibit their product concepts at the International Home + Housewares Show and meet industry leaders.

At the end of January, ten professional designers met at the IHA office to review 256 entries from U.S. and international universities. They selected six top winners and five honorable mentions. The judging panel was composed of industrial design professors, design consultants, design managers at IHA member companies and the design manager of a noted consumer electronics manufacturer who had won this competition in 1999.

View the Competition Judges

View Participating Schools

Congrats to our 20th Annual Student Design Competition Winners

Two First Place winners receive $3,000 each

1st: Heman Au - Duo Kitchenware