We interviewed the SBID International Design Awards sponsor for the Restaurant Design category. Adam Hout, International Director at Perennials and Sutherland speaks about how the brand has developed since 1944 when founder, David Sutherland embarked on a mission to transform the outdoor furniture industry. From Sutherland furniture to the launch of Perennials fabrics, the brand now showcases the best of its luxury performance fabrics and rugs, as well as high grade outdoor furniture.
What are the origins of your brand?
The story begins over 40 years ago with David Sutherland who opened with his first multi-brand showroom in Houston. This was followed by a flagship showroom in Dallas. He was the first to bring high-end designs from the New York and Los Angeles markets to the booming Texas market. In 1994 David embarked on a mission with friend and collaborator John Hutton to transform the outdoor furniture industry by creating a collection of teak performance with a level of luxury and comfort never before seen outdoors. Sutherland pioneered tailored “deep-seating” cushions and was the first company to introduce fully upholstered outdoor collections. For David and John, it was time to bring indoor comfort and design to the outdoors which was revolutionary at the time. Only in recent years have others embraced this trend.
Creating the best outdoor furniture came with a problem, there were no outdoor fabrics luxurious enough! David partnered with his wife Ann to create outdoor fabrics which looked and felt natural, complementing nature and yet bringing luxury feel to the space. Perennials began as an outdoor fabric brand, but now it is a Luxury Performance fabric and rug brand, with much of its sales attributed to indoors, contract, and hospitality use. Perennials has grown substantially in that time and rightfully sits as the leader in luxury performance.
The company expanded its showrooms across the US and in 2017 opened a direct subsidiary in London UK; showcasing the best of Perennials performance fabrics, rugs, and Sutherland furniture. The strength of this company is in its multi-channel dynamic business model. P&S is a manufacturer, direct wholesaler to the trade industry, and private / white label manufacturer. It owes its success to the designers that it serves, and they remain the main focal point of the business.
How do you work with interior designers?
We manufacture and wholesale highly technical products, therefore specification of our product by a qualified individual or company is the focus of our company. We want the end users to use and enjoy our products in the correct format, setting, and design – for this the designer becomes of paramount importance. We sell direct to the trade and collaborate with them to fulfil their requirements. We educate, train and support our professional clients to get the most out of our products. We believe in one to one relationships and always strive to individualise the service to our clients.
What value does your sector add to the interior design industry?
It was never Ann Sutherland’s initial intention for the outdoor fabrics to become indoor / contract fabrics. It was the designers themselves that began using Perennials fabrics for that purpose and this developed the brand into what it is known and respected for today. This shows that performance is important to designers and end users alike. The issue with performance fabrics is that more often than not, luxury feel will be compromised, usually encouraging the client to go with an indoor fabric for those spaces. That is where Perennials fabrics comes in. We manufacture velvets, linens, silks, bouclets; in complex designs and weave structures which look and feel convincingly natural. The compromise becomes negligible, the client can enjoy the feel of a luxury velvet whilst not worrying about stains.
This is possible through the Perennials yarn technology which is known as 100% Solution Dyed Acrylic. The colour is embodied within the fibre which makes it very difficult to separate the colour from the yarn, unlike traditional yarns where the dye is added later on. Think of a carrot that, when peeled, remains orange – the same can be said about the Perennials fibre. The fabric is inherently resistant to water, mould, bleach, UV, and almost any stain you can think of. The use of bleach allows the user to remove most stains. Our fibre also has an inbuilt Nano-seal technology which adds repellence, with liquids splashing off.
Many other fabrics in the industry are also called Performance fabrics: Polyester and Polypropylene being two examples. They do not perform anywhere near as well, the colour does not hold and the quality and feel is not comparable. Many brands will add performance through using chemical top sprays which simply do not last and are not desirable. Customers often ask about sustainability: my answer is that Perennials is highly sustainable because it lasts an extremely long time and can easily be re-purposed.
What makes Perennials so special is that we have over 130 fabric lines, qualities, and over 1000 SKU’s of fabric using this technology. Whatever the project; whether a restaurant, a yacht, or a residential sofa, the client does not have to compromise to get luxury and performance together: a strong value proposition indeed.
How does your offering enhance an interior designer’s projects?
Our performance fabrics and rugs are not only an item of beauty, quality, and soft touch – but they bridge the gap into being a technology product. This enhances our client’s ability create a value proposition to their client. If something is beautiful, great, if it also more durable, cleanable, and will last longer than anything else, then even better!
Sutherland offers a unique aesthetic of understated luxury, combined with a focus on high grade raw materials, and comfort. The brand is world renown for bridging the gap between outdoor and indoor, not compromising on the outdoor area. Sutherland offers designers full customisation of product at a dedicated custom workshop. Whether you look to start from scratch or merely tweak an existing Sutherland piece, our product development team will partner with designers to create custom outdoor furniture guaranteed to be the perfect fit for your project.
What are the latest trends you’ve noticed in your client’s requests?
The autumn trends appear to be embroidery, flowery prints, jacquard effects, and natural wool blends in fashion; and this has crossed over into the interiors industry. The Timothy Corrigan for Perennials collection reflects these trends well as do some of our longstanding natural weaves.
Why did you want to become a sponsor for the SBID Awards?
We want to give back to the industry and SBID is the perfect partner and platform for that. SBID is a shining light in the industry and is a strong facilitator for the the various participants.
The SBID International Design Awards winners for 2019 will be announced on Friday 25th October! Tables to attend this year's SBID Awards are now sold out, but a limited number of individual tickets are still available. Book a seat now! To find out more about sponsoring the SBID International Design Awards next year, email [email protected]
We interviewed the SBID International Design Awards sponsor for the Residential Design Over £1M category. Alexandra Lewis-Singer, UK Managing Director at THG Paris shares insight into the history of THG as a growing family venture lead by three successive generations. Since 1956, THG has evolved its designs and product lines, but their ethos remains the same. Representing timeless luxury and celebrating the art of living with a high-end collection of bathroom fittings and accessories.
Since 1956, THG Paris has established itself as the brand for high end bathroom fittings and accessories. THG Paris resulted from the meeting of three men, André Tétard, Julien Haudiquez and Alexandre Grisoni, who in 1950 created “Robinetterie de la Poste” in Béthencourt-sur-Mer. A few years later the company moved to new premises and changed its name to THG. The brand was active at that period in standard tapware. In the 1970s, THG turned to design valves and has since developed a large range of collections and a extensive catalogue which today, three successive generations continue to work on.
We endeavour to assist with providing expert knowledge, quality products and outstanding service. We also provide advice on specification for private properties & larger projects.
The bathroom has become one of the most important areas of a home. It is now the only room that remains private as open plans appear everywhere. As a result, clients turn that room into a Jewellery box and our luxurious brassware allows for bespoke designs.
Our sales consultants’ knowledge is both technical and aesthetic, and designers can rely on the service provided. It brings them peace of mind that nothing will be missed. Also, the vast range of products we offer (150 ranges of taps available in over 20 finishes!) goes from the most classical style with crystal and semi-precious stones to cutting-edge and contemporary.
Gold is back, but with a twist. A lot of bronzes, brushed finishes - and our pale gold is this year’s best seller!
We wanted to support the design industry and champion magnificent interiors. Craftsmanship is why we are in this industry and without these properties, we wouldn’t be able to manufacture these goods.
The SBID International Design Awards winners for 2019 will be announced on Friday 25th October!
Tables to attend this year's SBID Awards are now sold out, but a limited number of individual tickets are still available. Book a seat now!
To find out more about sponsoring the SBID International Design Awards next year, email [email protected]
This year, the SBID International Design Awards became the first interior design award scheme to be accredited to GOLD standard by The Independent Awards Standards Council. Further cementing its position as one of the most prestigious interior design Awards in the global design calendar, The Gold Trust Mark is just another endorsement to the value that an SBID Award generates for the deserving winners.
Aside from the announcement of the highly anticipated SBID Awards winners for 2019, the Awards ceremony is a prestigious and glamorous affair. Bringing together the world’s most reputed interior designers and design practices to celebrate the past year of global design excellence. The winners across 15 SBID Awards categories will be presented with the beautiful SBID International Design Awards 2019 trophy, expertly crafted by Czech glass specialist, Sans Souci Glass Deco.
The SBID Master of Design 2019 will also be presented with an award which serves to recognise professional interior designers who have, across their career, made significant contributions to the global interior design industry through innovation and expertise; raising the overall standards of design. Last year saw David Chang, Founder and Chief Designer of David Chang Design Associates International take to the stage to claim this coveted Award for international design services to the highest level.
Consistent in the quest to recognise, reward and celebrate global interior design, this year’s edition will also be celebrating the 10th anniversary of SBID with a captivating ceremony held in the Ballroom of the Grosvenor House hotel, Mayfair. Serving up a 3-course luncheon throughout the day, the food menu has been produced by the Executive Chef, Paul Bates.
Attendees of the Awards can also expect a special surprise guest who will be revealed on the day to host the event as the announcements unfold. Previous Awards presenters include a celebrity line up with the likes of Julian Clary, Gyles Brandreth and Ken Bruce. What’s more, each guest will receive their own complimentary copy of the SBID Global Interior Design 2019 coffee table book. This 360-page hardback publication will feature the breath-taking design projects from the 2019 shortlisted finalists and category winners.
The annual SBID International Design Awards also represent a unique opportunity to network with other design professionals and connect with peers from around the world. So, get the champagne at the ready and dress to impress with this year’s ‘Designer Glamour’ dress code to take full advantage of the Instagram hot spots - and make sure you capture your memories of the day with SBID’s GIF photobooth, courtesy of Momentous Photo Booth.
Where: Grosvenor House, Park Lane, London
When: 12-5pm, Friday 25th October 2019
Dress code: Designer Glamour
SBID caught up with this year's SBID International Design Awards sponsor for the Public Space Design category. Dominik Cienciala, Business Development Manager at Sans Souci talks about how the Czech provider of tailor-made light fixtures use their refined skill, expertise and drive for innovation in the art of decorative glass fixtures to deliver superior lighting and glass solutions for interior designers.
Sans Souci is a Czech designer, solution maker and producer of decorative glass lighting fixtures, glass objects and architectural features. Our know-how combines many years of experience, knowledge of blending traditional production of crystal installations with latest technologies such as nano-coating, as well as 3D printing. Our bespoke installations can be found across the world, from the USA to Japan, either in hotels, private residencies or super yachts.
We closely cooperate with interior designers from the beginning until the end of a project. The company has representatives across the world, who are experts in glass objects, lighting and delivering the best solutions. Our aim is to collect information about a project through personal meetings and discussions over mood boards. Our internal designers work alongside with clients and we develop visualisations and concepts together. Then we deliver drawings, final solutions and moving to our production. We focus on smooth and effective cooperation which leads to stunning installations and the client’s satisfaction.
Sans Souci is understood as an explorer and visionary in the glass industry. Our vision is to deliver great and quick service with innovative solutions. Therefore, we educate designers and partners about our capabilities as well as latest technologies. For instance, our nano-coating technology uplifts the characteristics of glass with practical features such as anti-reflex properties and unique colour finishes.
We are flexible and quickly responding to the demands. In close cooperation with our production in the Crystal Valley in the Czech Republic, we give immediate answers about the production feasibility. Also, our trained representatives are capable of delivering immediate solutions and benefits of crystal finishes. We also believe that crystal and natural light plays a significant role in lighting up the spaces and designers/clients can benefit from our know-how, uniqueness, flexibility and follow the latest trends in natural settings of interiors.
Our cooperation started 7 years ago and its an honour for us. Through this opportunity we believe we can raise the visibility of Czech crystal production beyond the Czech republic and educate the world about our heritage, tradition and innovation.
To book a table to attend this year's prestigious Awards, click here
To find out more about sponsoring the SBID International Design Awards next year, click here
SBID caught up with this year's SBID International Design Awards sponsor for the KBB Design category. Margaret Talbot, Marketing Manager at VitrA UK shares more about the story behind the brand; from its very beginnings as a Ceramic Factory in Turkey to it's current standing in the international sanitary and brassware market, VitrA highlights some of the incredible work they do with interior designers and the industry.
VitrA’s heritage can be traced back to 1909, when the renowned Turkish pharmacist Süleyman Ferit Eczacibaşi began producing bathing and cologne products in his pharmacy in Izmir. The Dr Nejat Eczacıbaşı Ceramic Factory, as it was then called, was the forerunner to VitrA. After the Second World War, there came economic revival and an increased demand for ceramic sanitaryware. In 1958 the company opened its first modern production plant and by 1966 became known as VitrA. In order to diversify the company, a brassware plant was opened in 1979. The brand, now an uncontested force in the market, was launched internationally in 1983.
When working with an interior designer, a clear and open dialogue is crucial. The VitrA team immerses themselves in each project, gaining full understanding of the designer’s aims, as well as the challenges that any individual project may pose. To ensure the VitrA team clearly understand the designer’s vision, the first step is for them to provide a brief and an initial mood board to define the scope of their work and provide valuable details on materials, colours and their initial considerations for the bathroom design.
Then follows the conceptual development stage. At this point, a layout design with more technical information and specifications is produced. A specification manager from the VitrA team will use their technical expertise to anticipate and solve any potential problems before they arise to ensure the project runs smoothly all the way through to completion. The designer is heavily involved and works closely with the VitrA team at every stage – this means that both parties, as well as the end client, are pleased with the finished project.
VitrA is passionate about challenging traditional views of the bathroom as a purely functional space and enabling designers to express their creativity in an often-overlooked area.
Led by our Design Director, Erdem Akan, VitrA’s highly accomplished in-house creative team represent the backbone of our design philosophy and culture. They are supported by the multi-disciplinary teams at the VitrA Innovation Centre, which was built as a place for architects and designers to free their imagination and express flair in their product design, while also feeling safe in the knowledge that our specification managers are on hand to ensure that all products meet both the technical and aesthetic demands.
This creativity manifests itself in VitrA’s collaborations with world-renowned designers such as Claudio Bellini for Equal, Ross Lovegrove for Istanbul, Terri Pecora for Plural and Matteo Thun & Partners for Water Jewels.
Superior quality, supply of product and reliable versatility are hallmarks of the VitrA brand, and every component of the bathroom benefits from VitrA’s strong focus on advanced technology and imaginative design. The dedicated team of VitrA product designers collaborate with top global experts to establish new and innovate ideas that enhance not only bathroom aesthetics and functionality, but also each interior designer’s projects.
The new ‘Living Bathroom’ concept presents the bathroom as an informal living space. This evolution of the bathroom ritual celebrates wellness and the joy of spending time in the bathroom. American designer Terri Pecora’s Plural collection for VitrA presents the bathroom as a social hub where people can meet and reconnect. Another big trend of note is the use of geometric shapes and monochrome tones, as used in the Equal collection by Claudio Bellini. Using clean, minimal borders and industrial, metallic accents, Bellini’s designs emulate the structures found in modernist architecture.
We are pleased to be a sponsor of the SBID Awards as they are one of the most prestigious interior awards in the design calendar. VitrA is keen to support interior designers and their fantastic work in the kitchen, bedroom and bathroom sector.
Beginning with fresh insight into the Vectorworks® 2020 to help designers and architects harness the latest software tools and workflows, October is punctuated by the announcement of the SBID International Design Awards winners for 2019. The month culminates with the eagerly anticipated SBID International Design Awards ceremony to celebrate global design excellence on 25th October, as well as SBID's popular annual networking event which is due to return with a brand-new series of business seminars.
1st October
Vectorworks Annual Design Day - London, United Kingdom
Meet the Vectorworks team in London on Tuesday 1st October as they present the powerful new workflows in Vectorworks® 2020 at Vectorworks’ Annual Design Day 2019. Explore the future of Vectorworks while enjoying opportunities in the following areas:
To register your interest in attending, email [email protected]
9th October
Learning Environment Transitions - Edinburgh, United Kingdom
The SBID Education Council invite both Designers and Education professionals to an event hosted by University of Edinburgh and City of Edinburgh Council on Wednesday 9th October to hear a presentation from Anne Knock on Learning Environment Transitions. Having spent 17 years as a primary school teacher and 15 years working directly with schools, systems, teachers, school boards and architects to facilitate change and create collaborative learning environments, Anne has learnt the language of design. Anne will be visiting Edinburgh as part of the International Study Tour that she hosts, with guests including educational leaders and architects. Earlier in the day the tour group will visit a local nursery and schools. During Anne’s presentation she will be sharing her insight about design principles and shaping the educational brief with a focus on the Learning Environment Transitions. This will follow on to an open discussion about the observations and considerations of the transitioning between learning environments form Nursery through to University.
15th October
Designs From the Past, Inspiration for the Future (CPD Talk and Tour) - Maidenhead, United Kingdom
Join this CPD talk and guided tour on the origin and history of the Textile Design Archive held by the John Lewis Partnership in their Heritage Centre based in Maidenhead. Starting at 11am, this talk focuses on historic textile printing techniques, the work of reputable designers and how these have inspired more recent designs and products. This is followed by a Q&A session with a John Lewis Partnership Archivist, then a guided tour of the Heritage Centre including the textile gallery where the original artworks for many designs from c1800 onwards are displayed.
24th October
SBID Meet the Buyer - London, United Kingdom
The Society of British and International Design’s popular annual networking event returns on 24th October with a brand new location and even more opportunities for attendees. Set to be the biggest to date, the one-day event will feature a new series of business seminars, new manufacturers and a new home – Grosvenor House, Park Lane in London. The SBID Meet The Buyer event brings together some of the best interior designers, architects and specifiers to meet face to face with leading, design-led product manufacturers from around the world. Complete with networking opportunities, face to face contact with decision makers, the event also presents a brand-new series of business seminars for designers and manufacturers to gain valuable advice - as well as engage in discussions about challenges the industry faces from some of the most esteemed experts in their field.
Click here to find out more or book your place now
25th October
SBID International Design Awards 2019 - London, United Kingdom
The SBID International Design Awards became the first interior design award scheme to be accredited with the GOLD Standard Awards Trust Mark by The Independent Awards Standards Council, who commended the programme as “exemplar in how awards should be operated”. The SBID Awards programme is set to culminate with a dazzling ceremony at one of London’s most iconic locations in the Ballroom at Grosvenor House hotel in Mayfair on Friday 25th October. In opulent surroundings, the finalists, judges and sponsors from across the world come together to celebrate being part of a community that represents excellence in global design; where the winners across 15 categories will be presented with the beautiful SBID International Design Award 2019 trophy, expertly crafted by Czech glass specialist, Sans Souci Glass Deco.
To rub shoulders with the world's leading interior designers, click here to book a table
The prestigious SBID International Design Awards have been accredited to GOLD standard by The Independent Awards Standards Council. The SBID Awards are the first interior design award scheme to be accredited to this standard.
The Awards Trust Mark Scheme was established with the aim of encouraging more award programmes to focus on their own ethics and transparency. The scheme scrutinises everything from criteria, scoring, feedback, transparency and judging.
Considered as one of the most prestigious accolades in interior design by the best in the industry, the SBID International Design Awards are awarded purely on the quality of the design, innovation, aesthetic and value-added to the project. Each entry undergoes an exhaustive two-tier judging process by panels of leading industry experts for both technical content and aesthetic creativity. Evaluating essential elements such as compliance with the brief, budget, health & safety and fit-for-purpose design.
Chris Robinson, Co-Founder of the Independent Awards Standards Council commented: “The SBID International Design Awards scheme is an exemplar in how awards should be operated. Their attention to every detail, from the transparency of the scoring system, to the briefings provided to judges, to the quality of websites, the clarity of the entering process, and the quality of customer service throughout is exemplary. I hope more schemes will aspire to this level of service and also earn the Gold Standard Awards Trust Mark.”
SBID Award categories cover all aspects of interior design including Retail design, Public Space, Healthcare & Wellness Design, Residential Design, CGI, Club & Bar Design, Restaurant Design, Office Design and Hotel Design. The highly anticipated finalists of the SBID International Design Awards 2019 are due to be announced on Friday 16th August, the public will then be invited to vote for their favourite projects which accounts for 30% of the final results.
Last year saw one of the most globally represented editions to date with an astounding 225,000 unique voters during the voting period.
Founder and CEO of SBID International Design Awards, Dr Vanessa Brady, OBE comments “We’re thrilled to receive this accreditation and recognition which is a further endorsement of the value that an SBID Award generates to winners and one of the many reasons why the industry hold the SBID Awards as the ultimate recognised achievement for Interior Design”.
To find out more about the SBID Awards, visit www.sbidawards.com
Entering interior design awards can be a great way to showcase your work and network with others in the industry, but not all design awards are the same. With so many creative competitions out there, you need to look closely at what you’re really getting into. Here are our top tips for determining which awards are worth your time – and which are not!
Who’s really the winner?
It’s easy to get carried away with daydreams of clutching that prized trophy on the podium but what is the true cost of winning? Some Awards charge successful entrants’ extra fees for exposure, for example to be featured in a winners’ book. We’ve even seen competitions require the winner to pay for their own award! Attending the awards ceremony can be a caveat of ‘winning’ too. If there are hidden fees, you know the award is not really about creative merit. Find out before you enter what is included in your entry fee and weigh up whether it’s really worth it.
Stay focused
Achieving success in industry awards is an opportunity to maximise your professional exposure and reputation. With so many competitions around, you want to ensure you’re targeting the ones that will really allow you to shine. Don’t be seduced by the glitter and instead look at the organisation behind the competition. Are they an industry specialist? Do they really understand the business of interior design? Do previous winners embody the creativity you want to be known for? Why win a vanity trophy when you could collect a prize that resonates in your industry?
Something old, nothing new?
Awards should celebrate the latest and best talent. They are a chance to see how the interior design industry is innovating and discover the rising stars. If the entries include projects that are a few years old, the list of finalists can be a bit of a let down. Imagine a film from 2011 winning the 2019 Oscar for Best Picture? Check the T&Cs clearly to ensure your latest work sits side by side with the freshest creativity out there.
Disappearing deadlines
Pressing the ‘submit’ button ten minutes before deadline is a common (and stressful) aspect of awards entries, but some competitions mysteriously lack a deadline. This is confusing for entrants, not to mention unfair, and indicates that the entry process will continue until a category has been filled. Great design competitions exist to reward creative achievement, not to fill sales targets. Ensure the deadline date is clear and avoid the stress by not leaving your submission until the last minute!
Call in the experts
Interior design awards should go to innovative and exciting projects, but who exactly is making that call? Any honour worth its salt should be awarded by an independent panel of experts who display excellence in their own careers. Find out who the judges are: what is their experience? Do they work for reputable companies? Look closely at the judging process – does it note technical or creative excellence, or both? Understanding who the judges are and what they are looking for allows you to submit a project with a greater chance of success.
Use our tips every time you’re considering submitting an awards entry to ensure you’re only entering prestigious awards. If you do win, you’ll know your project has been judged by the best to be a truly inspiring example of creative excellence.
Good luck!
To find out more about the SBID International Design Awards, visit www.sbidawards.com
Haven’t completed your entry for the 2019 SBID International Design Awards yet? Perhaps you're still considering why you should be entering the SBID Awards this year? Here are ten great reasons why you should submit your entry before the deadline.
1) Be recognised by one of the UK interior design industry standard bearers At SBID we set the standard for interior design through accreditation. Our strict criteria for membership ensure all SBID members possess the knowledge and experience to work to a high professional standard. Furthering professional knowledge and skills to promote the value of professional interior design across the industry, we work across many sectors, from government to higher education and international business.
2) You won’t be hit by hidden fees or conditions In the SBID Awards, it’s impossible to buy your way to the top. Many competitions reel entrants in before hitting them with hidden costs in order to progress in the competition. Our T&Cs are transparent so you’ll never be asked to pay for extras. All information is on the website so it’s clear from the start what is involved. This means you can enter with confidence and know that only the most talented go far!
3) Winning is only for the best Victory only has value when you’ve truly earned it. We’ve witnessed competitions where every entry is awarded a prize, which devalues the honour of winning. In the SBID Awards there is one Overall Winner and 14 Category Winners. Competition is stiff and not everyone walks away with one of our coveted awards; this exclusive approach means that owning an SBID Award is a true accolade. We’re proud that our awards don’t collect dust on a shelf – they are proudly displayed, widely recognised and internationally sought after!
4) Have the chance to be published in print Each year, the SBID Awards finalists and winners are featured in the beautiful SBID Global Interior Design coffee table book. We don’t charge a fee for this (unlike some competitions) as we believe the worthiest projects earn recognition. As a record of the world’s best interior design, the book is a true showcase of global talent and your chance to be featured among the greats.
5) Design talent recognised at every scale The SBID Awards welcome entries from practices of all sizes by keeping entry fees low and ensuring T&Cs are transparent. We know it’s the mix of small and large organisations that enriches the interior design industry; we do not see practice size as a barrier to success. We showcase the best talent and that’s why the SBID Awards are a platform for celebrating the breadth of professional interior design.
6) Showcase your work to peers, potential clients and the press Since the launch, the SBID Awards have grown in reach and reputation around the world. Each year our list of finalists and winners reads like a ‘who’s who’ of international design expertise. The Awards are featured in globally consumed media brands such as the Daily Mail, Daily Telegraph and the Financial Times. Entering gives you have the chance to become part of our global community and connect with new audiences around the world.
7) Creativity counts over budget Our judges are looking for technical and creative achievement which is not dependent on budget. We know that the bottom line is no indicator of great design, which is why the judging process is carefully controlled to ensure all projects are assessed fairly and independently. We feature great projects at all scales, from dazzling opulence to simply brilliant solutions – what they have in common is the ability to impress our expert judges.
8) You’ll be assessed by the best Our three-tier judging procedure ensures only the best go all the way. All entries are assessed by a technical panel of experts while the judging panel consists of high-profile figures in the creative industry. This means recognition in the SBID Awards is a sign of true design excellence and creative achievement. The final tier is the public vote; in 2018 over 250,000 individuals cast their vote – what a great way to show off your best work!
9) Boost your contacts and find new clients The Awards are an important opportunity for designers to network and make valuable contacts. Each year, we host an international community of designers during Awards Week. They come to London to meet potential clients at the Awards ceremony and the invitation-only House of Lords networking event. These occasions underpin our commitment to promoting the business of design.
10) Get global recognition Standing out from your competitors is a vital part of running a business but can be hard to pull off when everyone’s fighting for attention. The SBID Awards are the perfect platform for showing the world who you are. They can also give your own marketing a digital boost. Appearing on the Awards website offers invaluable exposure and ups your brand's visibility. You can benefit from all the work we do to promote the Awards and you’ll be in great company.
Convinced? The deadline for submissions is just over 2 weeks away; click here to submit an entry.
The SBID Awards 2019 is officially open for submissions. Paving the way for a new wave of innovative and exciting project entries across the industry; from Healthcare and Hotel Public Space to Retail Design and Residential, designers and design practices world-wide will once again compete for the chance to claim a prestigious SBID Award and receive global recognition in a ceremony that is set to be bigger and better than ever before.
We caught up with Firas Alsahin, Design Director for 4Space Interior Design, the Dubai-based interior design and architecture firm - and not to mention last year's esteemed Overall Winner for the SBID Awards 2018. Find out what he had to say about his experience receiving the highest accolade in not only the SBID Awards, but the wider interior design industry for their project, VR Park Dubai Mall.
What does it mean for you to have been named the ‘Overall Winner’ at the SBID International Design Awards?
It was truly an honour to be named as the Overall Winner at the SBID Awards. It gave us leverage in getting new, potential clients. It widened our network and gave us the chance to promote our name internationally. The team's hard work finally paid off!
How did you find the entry process when submitting your project for an SBID Award?
It was easy and very straightforward. The SBID team helped us in every step. Emails and notifications were received to ensure that we were updated throughout the process. They even called us to check the status of our submission and give different options. SBID has an excellent team indeed!
Did you expect to be announced as SBID's ‘Overall Winner’ for 2018?
We expected to win on a category level as we were confident about the project we submitted, but announcing to be the SBID Awards Overall Winner was very overwhelming. Our team was shocked and speechless when we heard 4Space - it took time for it to totally sink in!
Has winning the Overall Winner Award resulted in any additional interest / project enquiries for your practice?
Yes, definitely! It gave us this position in the market where we are now recognised widely in the design industry. It opened a lot of opportunities locally and abroad because of the additional media coverage. The network became huge for us as a lot of big names and companies in the industry gave us the limelight. The results were, and still continue to be amazing.
Do you have any exciting projects you are working on / have completed since last year’s Awards that you’d like to enter this year?
Oh yes! We have around 3-5 projects that we will be submitting to the SBID Awards this year. We are very excited and will be looking forward to the next event.
What advice would you give to any designers or design studios who are considering entering for an SBID Award?
Focus on the entire submission process. Details are very important - from the sketch to renderings, up to the final photos (professional and high quality). A great story of the design is a must! We started as being shortlisted. Every time we submit an entry, we are always confident that we will win. But regardless of the result, what's important is that you believe in your team and that you appreciate their hard work. The event itself makes you a winner already. From the venue to the management, everything is perfectly planned. Public voting and social media give each entry a chance to be exposed worldwide. SBID offers a great opportunity to all designers or design studios (big or small) to showcase their skills.
The deadline for entries into the SBID Awards 2019 is Monday 8th July.
To see more SBID Award winners from 2018, click here.
For more information about how to enter, visit www.sbidawards.com
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