Interior Design Firm of the Year

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2025-2026 Category Criteria

Applicable to all categories:

Multi-year winners are subject to the ONE YEAR MORATORIUM RULE** as stated on the awards home page.

This category recognizes architects and interior design firms for excellence and achievement in space planning, design execution, overall aesthetic appearance and functionality of the finished product on behalf of the end tenant, occupier or user. This award is presented to a firm based on its collective achievements across the portfolio of work during the calendar year, not a single project.

Nominees will be selected based on the quality of their work, as well as on their ability to meet their client's deadlines and budget constraints. For this category, up to three projects may be referenced. Each project should include project size, location, overall schedule, total project budget, tenant(s) and any other pertinent project description or background information.

Contact category captain Michael Berger if you have questions about category rules or your nomination's fit.

All fields marked with (*) are required.

If this submission is selected as a winner or finalist, we may follow up with questions about project listings, ordering awards, etc. Please provide the contact information below for the person best suited to field those requests:

Submitter First Name*
Submitter Last Name*
Submitter Email*
Phone Number*
Employer*
Nominee: (names or company name)*

Nominee Information: (please include contact name, title, company name, address, phone and e-mail): *

How to be displayed: (How you would like the nomination to be titled and recognized on event materials?) *

Executive Summary: Please summarize your submission in 500 words or less. In the event the nominee becomes a Finalist, the Executive Summary will be the only document distributed to voters.

Your summary must include the following items:

  • Project(s) Description: Please summarize why this Interior Design firm should be nominated. Include the scope of work, project size, location, and any additional information for the projects completed in 2025 that you have referenced within the required spreadsheet.
  • Project(s) Complexity: Please describe any significant issues or challenges affecting the project(s). Discussion may include, but is not limited to schedule, budget, stakeholder engagement, permit or specialty (structural, zoning, landmarks, etc.) approval financing, leasing, etc.
  • Achievements: Please describe the reasons this Interior Design firm should be considered for this award. Discussion points should include client service innovations or improvements, growth and performance improvements (over previous year) and any professional association participation.
  • Nominee Details: Describe the reasons why the nominated Interior Design firm should be considered for this award. Discussion may include, but is not limited to, the following areas: creativity or aesthetic achievement, design process innovation, business case development, community impact and outreach, professional association participation, or scholarly and professional journal publication.
*

Nomination Checklist
In addition to the above responses, please ensure you have attached the necessary documents required for submission. Please see below what is required and the descriptions for each:

Photos: Nominees are required to provide company logo(s). Please submit high resolution (300 dpi) files below. Additionally, please submit up to four photographs (maximum 1MB each) of nominee projects, buildings, or headshots. All files must be appropriately named and cannot contain special characters. No additional collateral will be accepted.

Spreadsheet: Please download and complete the related spreadsheet, then attach it below. Please note all spreadsheets are subject to review by the Blue Ribbon Panel.

Spreadsheet*
Photo 1*
Name of the project, building or individual(s):

IMAGES LARGER THAN 1MB IN FILESIZE ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE AND WILL CAUSE ISSUES WITH YOUR SUBMISSION
*
Photo 2
Name of the project, building or individual(s):

IMAGES LARGER THAN 1MB IN FILESIZE ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE AND WILL CAUSE ISSUES WITH YOUR SUBMISSION

Photo 3
Name of the project, building or individual(s):

IMAGES LARGER THAN 1MB IN FILESIZE ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE AND WILL CAUSE ISSUES WITH YOUR SUBMISSION

Photo 4
Name of the project, building or individual(s):

IMAGES LARGER THAN 1MB IN FILESIZE ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE AND WILL CAUSE ISSUES WITH YOUR SUBMISSION

Logo 1*
IMAGES LARGER THAN 1MB IN FILESIZE ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE AND WILL CAUSE ISSUES WITH YOUR SUBMISSION
*
Logo 2*
IMAGES LARGER THAN 1MB IN FILESIZE ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE AND WILL CAUSE ISSUES WITH YOUR SUBMISSION
*

I have read and understand the submission rules and regulations and attest that the nomination submitted here is in compliance with the said rules.

I acknowledge that the Blue Ribbon Panel has the right to solicit additional documentation as well as vet each individual submission.

By submitting this form I agree that any photo/rendering may be used by the Greater Chicago Food Depository or sponsors to promote the event.

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