GIA Excellence in Student Design Awards
Scholarship Sponsored by International Housewares Association
Overview
The Global Innovation Award (gia) Student Design Competition is administered by the International Housewares Association (IHA) and invites industrial design students to submit product concepts for evaluation by industry professionals. Established to connect emerging designers with the housewares industry, the competition emphasizes real-world product ideas and design rigor. Entries receive written evaluations from judges and top winners exhibit at IHA’s market event. The program supports student career development by offering exposure to executives, potential employers, and the broader housewares community.
Description: An industry-sponsored, merit-based competition for industrial design students that highlights portable consumer products and product concepts relevant to the housewares market.
- Industry-reviewed competition focused on product concepts
- Provides written feedback from professional judges
- Exhibition opportunity at a major industry trade show
History of the Award
The gia Student Design Competition was established in 1993 to bring fresh design ideas into the housewares sector and to encourage careers in the field. It is recognized as the longest-running, industry-sponsored merit-recognition program for industrial design students in the United States. Over the years it has become a respected component of industrial design education and a bridge between academia and industry practitioners. The competition remains judged by design professionals and housewares company managers.
History of the Award: Founded in 1993 and consistently recognized by design practitioners and professors for its contribution to industrial design education.
- Founded in 1993
- Longstanding industry recognition and academic relevance
- Judged by professionals and company managers
Eligibility
Undergraduate and graduate industrial design students enrolled in a degree-granting program may enter, including students at institutions in North America and other countries. Projects completed before graduation are eligible for spring graduates within the stated eligibility window. Students may submit multiple projects and team entries are permitted; if a team wins, IHA covers travel for one team member and the cash award is split among team members. The submitting student must affirm ownership and origination of the entry and all submitted source materials.
Eligibility: Open to degree-seeking industrial design students; team projects allowed; submitting student must confirm ownership of the work.
- Open to undergraduate and graduate industrial design students
- Multiple entries and team projects are permitted
- Submitter must affirm ownership and origination of the entry
Rules: What Is a Housewares Product?
Housewares products are defined as portable consumer goods purchased by or for the user; permanent installations and major built-in appliances are excluded. Project concepts should address a current consumer need or propose a future product idea, and may include packaging or point-of-sale presentation. If you are unsure whether a concept fits the housewares categories, contact the competition organizer for clarification. Additional industry information is available at TheInspiredHomeShow.com.
Description: Eligible concepts are portable consumer goods intended for everyday home use; major appliances and fixed-installation products are ineligible.
- Portable consumer goods only; excludes fixed installations and major appliances
- Packaging and point-of-sale concepts are acceptable
- Contact the organizer for category clarification: [email protected]
- Small electric appliances (food prep, cleaning, personal care)
- Personal care and home healthcare products (assistive devices allowed)
- Tableware, serving products, and on-the-go containers
- Cookware and bakeware, including travel and camping variants
- Kitchenware, hand tools, and storage containers
- Cleaning tools such as brooms, mops, brushes, sponges
- Outdoor products and minor home maintenance (excluding power tools)
- Organization and storage solutions, shelving, garment care
- Furniture: indoor, outdoor, and ready-to-assemble pieces
- Decorative accessories: vases, mirrors, lamps, frames, clocks
- Juvenile and pet products
- Connected home products with IoT functionality
Awards and Benefits
Judges allocate a total of $12,000 in cash prizes, and an additional $3,000 is donated to the winners’ schools. Winning projects are exhibited at The Inspired Home Show, providing significant exposure to retailers, manufacturers, and media. IHA covers travel, per diems, and five nights’ lodging for winners (economy flights up to $1,000 round trip to Chicago), and winners must be available for the exhibit and related media activities. Honorable Mentions receive a smaller cash award and are included in media information but are not required to attend the show.
Award Value: $12,000 in cash prizes allocated by the judges, plus $3,000 in grants to winning schools; travel and lodging support for winners.
Application Timeline: Winners will be notified by email by January 29, 2027. Winning projects are displayed at The Inspired Home Show, March 9–11, 2027, with travel arranged for Sunday, March 7 through Thursday, March 12.
- $12,000 total in cash prizes; $3,000 donated to winners’ schools
- Exhibit at The Inspired Home Show (March 9–11, 2027)
- Travel, per diems, and lodging provided for winners (economy flights up to $1,000)