The Island Design Excellence Awards (IDEA) spotlights the creative forces shaping Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands by highlighting the products, projects and people whose excellence is achieved through design.
From design thinking to visual design, the awards celebrate the role design plays in shaping successful places, products, experiences, and interactions.
IDEA winners will be recognized regionally and nationally for their design excellence through promotion by Design Victoria and our media partners, and at an awards ceremony in November.
A panel of prestigious judges from on and off Vancouver Island will select five finalists in each category.
Entries are now open.
10 September: Entries close (early bird deadline 30 July)
11 September: Tickets on sale
7 October: Shortlist announced
November: Award ceremony (date TBC) announcing the winners
Have a great IDEA? Check out the application form for more information
APPLY NOWBe the first to hear about tickets to the award ceremony
JOIN THE NEWSLETTERSubmitted projects must be less than three years old (completion from June 2022)
Projects must be fully realized / completed / built, unless indicated otherwise
Each Project can be entered into more than one category (see descriptions below) on the condition that they meet each set of criteria
Awards are open to projects completed or delivered on Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands. Applicants do not need to be based in the region.
Included is one project submission and one ticket to the award ceremony in November, 2025.
Early Bird Award Submission (deadline 30 July): $125
General Submission (deadline 10 September): $150
Indigenous Submissions (deadline 10 September): Free
Celebrating architecture that reflects the distinct cultural, environmental, and material character of Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands. These are buildings that are thoughtfully integrated into the surrounding environment, community, culture and vernacular.
Honouring interiors that are thoughtfully designed to relay a unique, powerful and compelling narrative that underpins the project.
From handcrafted objects to manufactured goods, this award highlights products designed and created on the Island.
Recognizing public or urban spaces that prioritize people, accessibility, and community—designs that support social life and shared experience.
Celebrating digital tools, platforms, or services that use design thinking to solve real problems through clear, human-centered design.
This category celebrates bold, impactful work created with limited resources—proof that great design doesn’t require big budgets.
Honouring partnerships that cross disciplines, perspectives, or sectors to produce creative and unexpected design solutions
Recognizing work that integrates sustainability into its core—design that reduces impact, supports regeneration, or rethinks systems for good.
Celebrating ideas developed on Vancouver Island that have found life and relevance beyond it—locally born, globally shared/produced/distributed.
Honouring an individual who strengthens the local design ecosystem through mentorship, advocacy, and generosity.
Whether running a studio, leading a project, or shaping policy, this person embodies the values of innovation, empathy, and impact. The Creative Leadership award celebrates those who inspire others, push boundaries, and lead with clarity and imagination.
Be the first to hear when nominations open
JOIN THE NEWSLETTERA panel of prestigious judges from on and off Vancouver Island will select five finalists in each category. The winners will be announced at an awards ceremony and party in November.
With the exception of the Design Champion Award, projects will be scored on the following criteria:
Creative and Aesthetic Excellence: How well does the work express a clear and compelling design vision? Judges will look for originality, beauty, and emotional or sensory impact in the final result.
Innovation and Problem-Solving: Does the work introduce new ideas, processes, or perspectives? Successful entries will demonstrate forward-thinking, inventive solutions to real or perceived challenges.
Execution and Craftsmanship: How strong is the execution? Considerations include material choices, detailing, technique, and the overall quality and professionalism of the finished product or project.
Relevance and Functionality: Does the design fulfill its intended purpose effectively and meaningfully? Judges will assess how well it serves users, addresses context, or enhances experience.
Local Impact and Sustainability: How does the work reflect or respond to its local environment and community? Entries that demonstrate environmental responsibility, cultural relevance, or community benefit will be scored highly.
There is a no-refund policy. All entry fees are final and non-refundable under any circumstances, so please review eligibility and terms carefully before submitting.
Only complete entries will be considered. Incomplete or ineligible entries will be disqualified without notice or refund.
Judges may choose not to award in a category and may reassign entries to a different category if needed, without notice or refund.
The applicant is the original designer or creator of the project and has permission to submit it for the awards.
Design Victoria/1st Place Agency can use all submitted images for marketing purposes.
The applicant gives Design Victoria/1st Place Agency permission to use their name, logo, and trademarks in promotional materials.
The applicant confirms that all materials submitted are accurate, legal, virus-free, and do not infringe on anyone else’s rights.
The applicant gives Design Victoria/1st Place Agency a free, non-exclusive, worldwide license to use the submitted materials for the event.
If the agreement ends, Design Victoria/1st Place Agency may still use materials already published if it's not practical to remove or replace them.
Design Victoria/1st Place Agency will do its best to use the materials correctly but isn't responsible for minor errors unless caused by negligence or misconduct.
