The Association of Professional Interior Designers (Apid), an organisation representing professional interior designers in the Gulf region, has announced the launch of an exciting ‘product design’ competition open to members of the design industry and local community including individuals, groups or any design-based firms.

The competition is one of the many events that will take place during the inaugural Festival of Interior Design (FoID), which will run in conjunction with Index International Design Exhibition 2011 from October 22 to 25 across Dubai.

The deadline for the first phase of the competition, which covers the submission of scaled drawings and rationale via email, will be on September 8.

Meanwhile, the deadline for the second phase, which covers the production and submission of the actual life-size product, will be on October 16. The best four products will be auctioned off at the FoID Gala Dinner on October 22, 2011, with the proceeds going to a charity (TBA).

All product designers including the overall winner will also walk away with the distinction of being recognised by peers from the region’s thriving interior design industry.

The competition requires the submission of a product design that is relevant to the Interior Design industry and fits one of three interior categories, which are: innovative interior finish, interior furniture and accessories.

During the judging and evaluation process, the judges will shortlist entries based on form, function and innovation. Further, contestants entering the competition are encouraged to consider the five underlying objectives of FoID during the design process which are: 'Educate’, to increase awareness of the interior design industry within the general public and among industry professionals; ‘Celebrate’, to give homage and celebrate the significance of the industry in both traditional and modern Arab culture; ‘Encourage’, to promote and discover emerging talent in interior design; ‘Highlight’, to focus on innovation and new design trends in the industry today; and ‘Collaborate’, to promote and strengthen partnerships with similar interior design based groups and associations.

“Apid is encouraging members of the local design community to put their thinking caps on, get their creative juices flowing and start coming up with a winning design concept for the first FoID product design competition,” said Farida Kamber Al Awadhi, president, Apid.

“The competition will allow us to tap into a cross section of designers, firms and groups and showcase their talent to the rest of the region. Winners will not only have the opportunity to have their design auctioned off but will also receive extensive exposure in design publications, the Apid and FoID web portals and on social sites including Facebook and Twitter. The competition reflects Apid’s aim of giving local designers the chance to demonstrate their talent and their vision alongside internationally renowned design Masters.” - TradeArabia News Service