Practicing Designers
For designers working professionally, including firm owners and independent practitioners.
Compete for the $10,000 cash award.
aspire Designer of the Year 2027powered by CLX
A national virtual design competition from aspire design and home, inviting designers to imagine what’s next.
Show us what only you can imagine.
Three rounds. Planned final-eight stage.Competition begins February 2027.No entry fee. Practicing Designers compete for the $10,000 cash award; Aspiring Designers receive editorial coverage and a full profile.Sign Up for the Competition
SIGN-UPS NOW OPEN
Be part of
what comes next.
Sign up now to receive award details, platform access information and next steps. Design submissions will open later. There is no entry fee.
AWARD CATEGORIES
Two awards. Two paths to recognition.
Aspiring Designers
For emerging designers with fewer than three years of professional design experience who do not own a design firm. Students, interns and designers working for another designer or firm may enter this category if they meet both criteria. Student or intern status is not required.
Earn editorial coverage in aspire design and home and on aspiremetro.com, plus a dedicated full-profile page on our site.
THE COMPETITION
Three rounds to show
what design can do.
Residential, Hospitality and Designer’s Choice share a footprint, brief and three required objects. Editors of aspire design and home judge the competition; there is no audience voting. Category advancement details will be announced with round briefs.
Round 1
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Residential
Create for a residential setting using the shared footprint, brief and three required objects.
Round 2
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Hospitality
Bring your perspective to a hospitality setting with the shared creative structure.
Round 3
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Designer’s Choice
A planned final-eight stage invites designers to choose their own type of space.
YOUR NEXT CHAPTER
Make your mark
in the competition.
No entry fee. The Practicing Designers award is $10,000 cash; Aspiring Designers receive editorial coverage and a full profile.