Contest Rules
Design work that can be built
Three finalists are selected
Those designs are developed and built
Final awards are based on the finished work
Constraints
Original work
Must be buildable using real materials and processes
Be feasible to fabricate using common materials and processes (wood, metal, glass, upholstery, etc.)
Maximum build budget: $7,500
Designed for real-world use, durability, and safety
If it can’t be built, it doesn’t move forward.
Eligibility
18+
Open to students and professionals
No entry fee
Open to participants in Washington State
The following are not eligible:
Employees of sponsors
Immediate family of sponsors or judges
Anyone directly involved in running the competition
Submission Requirements
Each submission must include:
Concept visuals (sketches, renderings, or drawings)
Written design brief
Materials and construction approach
Cost approach demonstrating feasibility within budget
Accepted formats:
PDF (preferred)
CAD exports, SketchUp, or similar (as supporting material)
Judging Process
Phase 1 — Concept Selection
Submissions are evaluated on:
Function and usability
Form and overall composition
Feasibility and manufacturability
Clarity of design intent
Three designs are selected.
Phase 2 — Built Evaluation
Finalist designs are:
Refined with our team
Translated into build-ready drawings
Fabricated at full scale
Final awards are based on the completed work.
A panel of judges, including design professionals and select sponsor representatives, evaluates the final pieces.
Awards
Three designs are selected and built.
All finalists receive:
Full fabrication of their design
Public presentation at the final event
Exposure to judges, sponsors, and attendees
Final awards are determined after the work is built and presented:
1st Place — $2,500
2nd Place — $1,500
3rd Place — $1,000
Total awards: $5,000
Intellectual Property
Designers retain full ownership of their work.
By submitting, entrants grant the Tacoma Design Challenge the right to:
Fabricate the design for the competition
Photograph and document the process
Promote and publicly display the work
Ownership is not transferred to organizers or sponsors.
Fabrication & Development
Finalist designs are developed in collaboration with our team.
This may include:
Refinement for structure, materials, and buildability
Translation into build-ready drawings
Adjustments to meet budget and fabrication constraints
The goal is to preserve the concept as-is and make it real.
Timeline
Submission period: Fall 2026
Finalist selection: Spring 2027
Fabrication period: Spring 2027
Final event and awards: Summer 2027
What won’t move forward
Entries may be removed if they:
Do not meet eligibility requirements
Are not original work
Fail to meet submission requirements
Are unsafe or not feasible to build
Additional Terms
The Tacoma Design Challenge may update or clarify rules as needed
All judging decisions are final
Contact
Questions regarding submissions or rules: