GIA Excellence in Student Design Awards

The IHA created its Student Design Competition in 1993 to invigorate the housewares industry with the fresh ideas of top student designers and to encourage young talent to consider careers in the housewares business. Now in its 34th year, IHA’s competition is unique in the U.S. as the longest-running, industry-sponsored, merit-recognition program for industrial design students.

Recognizing Young Industrial Design Talent Since 1993

Propel Your Design Career

• Meet industry executives looking for new product ideas

Win a Cash Prize

• $12,000 in cash prizes, plus travel and lodging
• Winners’ schools also receive cash grants

Once-in-a-Lifetime Experience

• Your design displayed at The Inspired Home Show 2027

The Global Innovation Award (gia) Student Design Competition, sponsored by the International Housewares Association (IHA), began in 1993. It is recognized by design practitioners and professors as a valuable contribution to industrial design education. This rigorous competition is judged by design professionals and managers at housewares companies.

Each entry receives two written evaluations. Top winners come to Chicago to exhibit their product concepts at The Inspired Home Show, IHA’s Global Home + Housewares Market.

The Housewares Industry

Learn about products and companies in this dynamic global industry and The Inspired Home Show at TheInspiredHomeShow.com 

Rules

WHAT IS A HOUSEWARES PRODUCT?

Housewares products are consumer goods purchased by or for the user that are portable. Permanent installations such as lighting systems, sinks/bathtubs, or major appliances (washing machines, full size refrigerators) are not considered housewares.

Your project should meet a current consumer need or be a concept for a future product. Packaging and point-of-sale presentation may be included.

Contact Jessie DesRochers at jdesrochers@housewares.org if you are unsure that your product concept fits any of these housewares categories:

• SMALL ELECTRIC APPLIANCES Food preparation, cleaning, home environment and personal care.
• PERSONAL CARE + HOME HEALTHCARE PRODUCTS Self-care items for grooming, hygiene and products for general health care and maintenance of minor medical needs. Assistive devices are acceptable, but equipment for long-term care or products meant to be used by medical professionals are not eligible.
• TABLEWARE, SERVING PRODUCTS + ACCESSORIES Cutlery, dinnerware, beverageware, flatware and containers for eating “on the go.”
• COOK + BAKEWARE Stovetop and oven-proof ware. Cookware for travel and camping are acceptable.
• KITCHENWARE Hand tools, storage containers.
• CLEANING PRODUCTS Brooms, mops, brushes, sponges.
• OUTDOOR PRODUCTS + HOME MAINTENANCE Barbecue grills, food and beverage coolers, picnic, patio and garden accessories, Do-It-Yourself (DIY) tools for minor home repairs and decor. Sports equipment and power tools are not eligible.
• ORGANIZATION + STORAGE Shelving, racks, garment care, home office accessories.
• FURNITURE Indoor, outdoor and ready-to-assemble (RTA) tables, chairs, bookcases and home space systems.
• DECORATIVE ACCESSORIES Vases, mirrors, lamps, picture frames, clocks.
• JUVENILE + PET PRODUCTS
• CONNECTED HOME PRODUCTS Physical products with internet of things connectivity and user interaction.

WHO CAN ENTER?

Undergraduate and graduate industrial design students enrolled in a degree-granting program at any university in North America or other countries may enter. Spring 2026 graduates are eligible if the project was completed before graduation. A student may enter more than one project. Team projects are allowed. If a team project is selected as a winner, IHA pays for travel for one student and the team splits the cash award.

The student submitting the application represents and affirms that the entrant named is the owner and originator of the application and all source materials submitted to IHA’s judges for this competition.

WHAT ARE THE PRIZES?

• Judges allocate $12,000 in cash prizes. An additional $3,000 is donated to the winners’ schools.
• Winning projects are displayed at The Inspired Home Show, March 9-11, 2027, McCormick Place, Chicago.
• Winners receive travel, per diems and lodging for five nights (Sunday, March 7 - Thursday, March 12). IHA will cover the cost for economy-class flights up to $1,000 round trip to and from Chicago. Winners must be available for the exhibit and media.
• Winners will be notified by email by January 29, 2027.
• Honorable Mentions receive a small cash award. They are not required to attend the Show. Honorable Mentions are included in media information.