STUDENTS

IIDA STUDENTS THRIVE

Both locally and nationally, an IIDA student membership can keep one connected with the design community and provide a variety of design opportunities for growth as a young professional.

Student Membership & Benefits

The International Interior Design Association (IIDA) is a professional organization for those invested in the sector of commercial interior design.  
IIDA has a membership for students looking to be more involved at an early stage in their careers. This leads to lasting benefits of professional development, network curating, and industry knowledge.

Compete

Here are just a few of the competitions available to IIDA student members that are opportunities to shine.

  • The IIDA Student of the Year Sponsored by OFS award recognizes an IIDA Student Member who has significantly impacted their school’s interior design program through outstanding leadership, insight, and involvement.

    For more information, contact Cody Czmyr, Director of Member Services, at cczmyr@iida.org.

  • The Wilsonart Student Essay Competition awards IIDA Student members that participate in the IIDA Student Mentorship program. Student participants gain invaluable professional development and mentorship from professionals in the interior design industry.

    The Wilsonart Student Education Fund created this scholarship to offer students the opportunity and incentive to further reflect on the value of their experience. One winner of the competition receives $1,000 courtesy of the Wilsonart Student Education Fund, will be recognized on IIDA.org, and Wilsonart will also provide the winner with roundtrip airfare and a two-night hotel stay in Chicago during NeoCon.

    Eligibility

    IIDA Students that participate in the IIDA Student Mentoring program are encouraged to apply.

    Submissions

    Submissions Open: March 2025

    For questions or more information, contact the IIDA Foundation at foundation@iida.org.

  • By participating in Instagram Competitions advertised by the @iidamidamerica Instagram page, students can compete and win items from sponsors. Additionally, some competitions offer the chance to be featured on the IIDA Midamerica Instagram feed.

  • During the Mid America Design Awards (MADA), a biennial event that recognizes Interior Design work within the Kansas City and Wichita Centers, students may submit a school studio project that meets the competition criteria for a chance to win the MADA Student Award.

    Please contact the VP of Campus Relations by email at campusrelations.iidama@gmail.com.

  • Sponsored by OFS and Carolina, the IIDA Student Design Competitions honors design concepts from students throughout the world who are currently enrolled in an interior design or interior architecture program or institution. Established in 2013, this competition has become an essential part of interior design curriculum for college or university professors worldwide, as they include the project in their courses, or encourage their students to apply as independent study.

    Winners are featured on IIDA.org, recognized in the spring issues of the QUAD and Design Matters newsletters, and in an official press release distributed to leading industry outlets and media partners. OFS provides the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners with a financial prize of $2,500, $1,500, and $750 respectively.

    When
    This competition is open annually, January through February—The 2025 IIDA Student Design Competition design brief is now available here

    To be notified directly when this competition opens, contact IIDA Design Competitions Manager Veronica Whitaker at competitions@iida.org.

Connect

Here are just a few highlights of the avenues available to student members to create lasting connections in the industry.

  • By signing up and participating in Portfolios and Professionals, students can receive portfolio critiques from a wide range of professionals from a multitude of local and national firms. This event also offers Q&A sessions, opportunities to meet and connect with design professionals and product representatives, and chances to meet students from other Midamerica Campus Centers.

  • At the yearly SHIFT Conference, students may receive an invitation to participate in the Student Design Charrette. This competition pairs students in small teams to respond efficiently to a unique design prompt. This event connects students from IIDA Campus Centers from across the nation.

    For more information, please contact the IIDA Texas Oklahoma Chapter VP of Campus Centers, Emma Smith.

  • Participation in Campus Center and Regional IIDA events provides students opportunities to advance skills in professional networking, personal confidence, and industry knowledge that gives them a head start when they enter the design force post college.

  • Every year, IIDA pairs more than 500 students across the U.S. with mentors that work in the interior design industry, taking students out of the classroom and into the real world of interior design.

For more information about an IIDA student membership, click on this link to the HQ site or reach out to the VP of Campus Relations for specific questions.

SHIFT CONFERENCE

LEAD. INSPIRE. GROW. UNITE.

Hosted by the Texas Oklahoma Chapter each year, the SHIFT conference “brings together an array of top students, educators, and design industry professionals for a multi-day professional enrichment experience. The annual conference includes: project and firm tours, portfolio reviews and mock interviews conducted by working professionals, an industry expo, continuing education for professionals, and a variety of networking opportunities. For 2025, we’ll come together in person at the Renaissance Hotel in Downtown Dallas!

“In line with the IIDA mission, SHIFT is designed to elevate the profession of Interior Design and lead the way for the next generation of interior designers. Participants are involved in a variety of events that are designed to enhance their knowledge of the practice and influence of Interior Design through presentations and conversations with practicing professionals.”

Event Schedule 2025

FEBRUARY 12-14

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 12

1:00 PM - 5:00 PM Student Design Charrette (invitation only)
6:30 PM - 8:00 PM Pep Rally

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 13

7:15 AM - 8:00 AM Kick-Off Breakfast 8:00 AM - 5:30 PM Professional CEUs (offered throughout the day)
8:15 AM - 12:05 PM 101 Topic Sessions 8:15 AM - 11:05 AM Portfolio Review and Mock Interview 11:15 AM - 12:05 PM Portfolio Review & Mock Interview 12:30 PM - 2:00 PM Panel Luncheon
2:15 PM - 4:10 PM Workshops 4:30 PM - 5:30 PM Interviews 4:30 PM - 5:30 PM Student and Educator Roundtable (invitation only)
5:30 PM - 8:30 PM Industry Table Top Expo

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 14

7:15 AM - 8:45 AM Interviews / Breakfast
8:45 AM - 2:00 PM Project Tours
2:15 AM - 3:00 PM Event Close Out

Keep a look out for email communications from our VP of Campus Relations for news on our annual SHIFT Essay Competition. This essay, written from a unique prompt, enters your name into the drawing for a spot at the SHIFT Conference, completely covered by IIDA.

INTERESTED IN ATTENDING SHIFT?