about the NYCxDESIGN awards
about the awards
Welcome to NYCxDESIGN Awards!
The NYCxDESIGN Awards is your chance to showcase your outstanding projects and products to the A+D industry.
This is more than an awards ceremony; it’s a tribute to the extraordinary talent that defines the tri-state design community. From groundbreaking projects to revolutionary products, the NYCxDESIGN Awards shine a spotlight on the diverse voices and creative forces that shape our region’s design landscape. It’s a platform that celebrates both established visionaries and emerging trailblazers, weaving together stories of ingenuity, passion, and local pride.
NYCxDESIGN is a non-profit organization that nurtures, supports, and provides opportunities for NYC’s design sector by organizing and coordinating exceptional year-round activations, amplifying the voices of design through storytelling and promotion, and providing annual grants for local talent and businesses that make New York the design capital of the world.
The NYCxDESIGN Awards are presented by INTERIOR DESIGN.
the benefits
Winners of the 2026 NYCxDESIGN Awards receive:
- Honored during a ceremony hosted by Cindy Allen
- Custom award
- Featured in INTERIOR DESIGN magazine (projects only)
- Featured in an online gallery on interiordesign.net and nycxdesign.com
- All winners will be included in a categorized announcement shared to INTERIOR DESIGN’s Facebook and LinkedIn
- Official digital assets and seals for use on all marketing materials
- Opportunities to be featured on INTERIOR DESIGN's social channels throughout 2026
submissions
Submission Fees:
- Early Bird - February 9 - February 27, 2026 - $250 per entry
- General Entry - February 28 - March 13, 2026 - $275 per entry
- Late Entry - March 14 - March 20, 2026 - $300 per entry
Emerging/Independent Designer Category Submission: $75 per entry
People's Choice Add-On Fee: $50 per entry
Student Submission: FREE (students do not need to be New York-based)
Each entrant can receive a 1-year complimentary digital subscription to INTERIOR DESIGN magazine.
NOTE: A 3% surcharge fee will be added to all orders paid by credit card. This fee covers the processing costs charged by credit card providers and does not exceed our cost of accepting your card.
Refunds are not available for submissions once they have been formally entered. Submissions made that do not follow eligibility requirements are disqualified, and we will, unfortunately, not be able to provide a refund.
project eligibility
Eligible Submitters: Domestic and International Firms
Your project is eligible if it fulfills any of the below criteria:
- Your project is located in the tri-state area (New York, New Jersey, Connecticut) and was completed between May 2025 and May 2026.
- ON THE BOARDS (only) – Your project is located in the tri-state area and is currently in the construction phase but not yet complete.
- ICONC PROJECT (only) – Your project is located in the tri-state area and was completed prior to May 2023.
product eligibility
Eligible Submitters: Designers, Manufacturers, Distributors, and Showrooms
Your product or collection is eligible if it fulfills any of the below criteria:
- Your product is sold, shown, or manufactured in any showrooms, design centers, studios, or temporary installations in the tri-state area (New York State, New Jersey, Connecticut) between May 2025 and May 2026.
- Your product will be shown at the 2026 NYCxDESIGN: The Festival affiliated events or shows (ICFF, WantedDesign).
- ICONIC PRODUCT (only) – Your product was sold, manufactured, or shown in the tri-state area or exhibited at NYCxDESIGN affiliated shows or events prior to May 2023.
Product submissions may also be opted-in for People's Choice voting for an additional $50 per entry.
Students: The student product design category is open to products launched or exhibited either in conjunction with a class/course or a (virtual) show in the 2025-2026 academic year.
Students must be currently enrolled in an accredited graduate or undergraduate program (will accept Fall 2025 graduates).
the event
Winners of the NYCxDESIGN Awards will be announced during the NYCxDESIGN Awards ceremony, hosted by Cindy Allen, Editor in Chief of INTERIOR DESIGN, in NYC in May 2026 (date TBA).
If you are interested in becoming a sponsor of the NYCxDESIGN, please contact your regional director or idsales@interiordesign.net.
timeline
February 9, 2026 - Submissions Open
February 27, 2026 - Early Bird Deadline (at 11:59 PM ET)
March 13, 2026 - General Entry Deadline (at 11:59 PM ET)
March 20, 2026 - Late Entry/Final Deadline (submissions close at 11:59 PM ET)
April 6 – April 17, 2026 - Public Product Voting
April 17, 2026 - Student Submission Deadline
May 2026 (date TBA) - Finalist Announcement
May 2026 (date TBA) - Awards Ceremony
about INTERIOR DESGIN
INTERIOR DESIGN is the global, industry-leading design publication, website and events company serving the interior design, architectural and facility management audiences. For over 85 years, INTERIOR DESIGN magazine—published by SANDOW, which builds smart businesses driven by innovation and design—has been the essential design authority for every professional, on all projects, throughout the design process.