How Winning a Best of Year Award Transforms Design Practices

The countdown is on to submit to Interior Design’s 19th annual Best of Year Awards—the design industry’s premiere architecture and design awards program honoring work by global creatives in the field. 

This year’s Best of Year Awards ceremony, which will also be live-streamed as part of DesignTV by SANDOW, will honor the most innovative and noteworthy design achievements in style. As the September 13 submission deadline approaches, learn why designers and manufacturers say entering Interior Design’s Best of Year Awards pays off. 

Editor’s Note: This story was originally published August 16, 2022 and has been updated to reflect more insights from Best of Year Award winners.

Why Winning an Interior Design Best of Year Award is a Game Changer

“Winning a Best of Year Award was a major milestone for our young firm”

Best of Year Award winners note that the honor signals staying power—and industry influence. “Being honored alongside long-established global leaders in design has vaulted us into a new realm of recognition; we can now say with pride that we’re doing work recognized among the best in the world,” shares Ming Thompson, principal at Atelier Cho Thompson, which won a 2023 Best of Year Award for the EQ Office for Commercial Lobby and Amenity Space: Small.

Noting that the Best of Year Awards attract the highest caliber entries, Thompson encourages those submitting to share “unique layered histories and stories,” drawing on clear photography and strong narratives. “Describe the community that the design is serving and articulate how the project enhances and builds community,” she adds.

The lobby of the EQ office by Atelier Cho Thompson. Photography by Jared Kuzia.

“Legitimizes our vision of great design” and “More confidence in the specification process”

Manufacturers say winning a Best of Year Award enables designers to specify products with ease and confidence. The award also affirms the innovation at work by large and small brands alike, signaling that they are moving the design needle forward. Most importantly, a Best of Year accolade offers what John Edelman, president and CEO of Heller, calls a “validation of our belief that we should continue to create the next generation of iconic modern design.”

Limbo by Heller, a 2023 Best of Year Award winner for Outdoor Seating.

“Boosts our reputation” and “attracts new clients”

Best of Year Award winners say they continue to see the impact of their accolades long after the festivities wrap up. “Winning an award is not a quid pro quo and we view these as long term accolades which cumulatively result in building momentum over time,” shares Lee Mindel, principal of Shelton Mindel, a long-time Best of Year Award-winning firm.

“These recognitions have not only boosted our reputation with clients but have deepened relationships with our talented peers, both locally and abroad,” says Edwin Beltran, partner at NBBJ, which won a 2023 Best of Year Award for the BlackRock HQ for Domestic Corporate Office: Extra Large.

“To have our work be recognized with a Best of Year Award [for Materials] is incredibly powerful, helping us attract new clients and gain international exposure,” shares Joshua Levinson, CEO of Artistic Tile, which won a 2023 Best of Year Award for Tile and Stone Wall Covering: Designer Collection for Duo.

What’s the secret to a winning entry? For starters, Mindel advises applicants to “find the unique voice of your project and ensure that it is fully communicated through your work.”

BlackRock office by NBBJ, a 2023 Best of Year Award winner for Domestic Corporate Office: Extra Large.

Duo by Alison Rose for Artistic Tile, a 2023 Best of Year Award winner for Tile and Stone Wall Covering: Designer Collection.

“Opens new doors” for growing firms

Smaller design studios and manufacturers say winning an Interior Design’s Best of Year Award also amplifies international exposure and recognition.

“Interior Design’s Best of Year Award is not only a recognition of our team’s efforts—it’s a celebration of our collaboration with our clients and collaborators,” notes Andrew Kotchen, founding principal of Workshop/APD, which won a 2021 Best of Year Award for Small Resort. “To be in such distinguished company, and to be recognized by Interior Design, its readers, and the expert panel of judges is truly an honor, and one that has created unexpected connections and opened new doors as our growing firm continues to expand its practice verticals.”

AutoCamp Cape Cod by Workshop/APD, a 2021 Best of Year Award winner for Small Resort. Photography by Read McKendree.

“That extra seal of approval” from the design community 

With that widespread recognition comes widespread respect among the global community of architects, designers, manufacturers, and creatives.

“Being recognized by Interior Design’s Best of Year Awards is always an honor,” says Mike Keilhauer, president of Keilhauer, a 2023 winner for Contract Conference Seating. “Having a product be recognized as Best of Year gives it that extra seal of approval from our design community, which makes it very meaningful.” 

Swav Low-Back by Keilhauer, a 2023 winner for Contract Conference Seating. Photography courtesy of Keilhauer.

“Emboldens our teams” to strive for excellence

Tim Wolfe, design director and principal at Perkins&Will, which has earned several Best of Year Awards over the years, says winning an esteemed architecture and design award also boosts team morale.

“Interior Design is the glue that holds our industry’s vibrant culture together. Simply being nominated for the annual Best of Year Awards is an honor,” says Wolfe. “However, our experience of winning Best of Year awards emboldens our teams to continually strive for design excellence for our clients, our community, and the design industry Interior Design illuminates.”

D.B. Weldon Library, Western University by Perkins&Will, a 2023 Best of Year winner for Library.

Nemesis Coffee by Perkins&Will, a 2021 Best of Year winner for Hospitality – Coffee Counter. Photography courtesy of Perkins&Will.

Submissions for Interior Design’s Best of Year Awards close September 13

Don’t miss out on an opportunity to submit to Interior Design’s Best of Year Awards by September 13, 2024. For additional information, such as a list of categories for projects and products, check out the submission guidelines.