Kitchen & Bath Design News is the industry's leading business, design and product resource for the kitchen and bath trade.
Issue link: http://kitchenbathdesign.epubxp.com/i/148829
Market Pulse { Readers' opinions on industry-related issues } Designers Discuss Competitions And Award-winning Projects Kitchen & Bath Design News recently posed the question to dealers and designers in the kitchen and bath industry. "Do you submit projects to competitions? What is the key to an award-winning project?" W e submit when we can. This helps to show the quality of our work. The keys to an award-winning project are staying within clients' expectations in budget, appearance, time frame and coordination with other professionals involved in the project. Incorporating the latest trends and offering alternatives to expensive details help as well." Christine FitzPatrick, designer/owner Fitzpatrick Design, Inc. Larchmont, NY I t is always fun and challenging to see how our ideas stack up against friends and colleagues in the business. We get great feedback from the experience as well as exposure for our company. Fusing materials and cabinetry in new ways can make you nervous, but it is so rewarding when others see the 'cool factor' when it is all done!" Stephanie Reese kitchen/bath specialist, e-designer Artisan Design Tampa, FL W e always submit worthy projects to many local and national competitions. Once we have done the work for one competition, it's no trouble to submit for others. Additionally, the same package can be submitted to magazines that may wish to publish the work, even if you don't win the contest." Lance Stratton, owner Studio Stratton Inc. La Jolla, CA I do not frequently enter design competitions. Too often, winning designs are the result of bottomless pockets, which our clients do not have. It would be nice to see competitions that take budgets into account." Stephanie Bullwinkel, business mgr. Imperial Kitchens and Baths, Inc. Brookfeld, IL I submit projects for competition when they are really great in one aspect or another…it could be a problem-solving issue, integration of unique materials, or an overall beautiful completion. Award-winning projects suit a community solution or trend, not necessarily a single project that no other homeowners could relate to or beneft from. Winning awards lets consumers know the value you bring to a project, and it gives me a means to see where my body of work falls within the professional design community." Julie Cavanaugh proprietor/senior principal designer Design Matters of Los Gatos Los Gatos, CA P ublicity received from winning a competition builds credibility and brings in new clients. I design to meet my clients' unique needs. These creative solutions often lead to designs that win competitions, but I do not create designs with competitions in mind." Leslie Ann Cohen, CKD, CID, ASID Leslie Cohen Design Cardif by the Sea, CA/Raleigh, NC I have often thought about submitting a project well after the fact, but our frst goal is providing what customers want. We never go into a project thinking of awards. Sometimes we do not have 'before' photos or sometimes the contest dates are not compatible with a potential entry." James A. Tipton (Jim), president Avoca Ridge Ltd. Design & Woodworks Fairbury, IL O ur frm recently began entering design competitions, and we try to enter as many as we can for the excitement of our clients and ourselves as well as for the potential exposure winning can bring. One of our frst entries two years ago brought us a national award. It continues to give us extra credibility and respect. It is hard to identify the keys to designing an award-winning project since judging varies tremendously. Elements that set our projects apart, such as custom metal work and hand-planed, furniture-style cabinetry done by local artisans, get recognized most." Jill S. Jarrett Jarrett Design, LLC Emmaus, PA W hen time allows, we do enter design competitions. We have submitted projects on Houzz, and have won. Customers feel a sense of validation if their projects have been published or awarded. We feel that listening to clients is the frst key to designing a winner." Cathy Winslow, owner/creative dir. Splash LaGrange, GA I haven't [entered a competition] for a while, but am considering it again because of the client's positive reaction. I haven't because the contest winners seemed to be opposite of the designs I have been doing. Also, they seem so far over the top and my clients are more middle of the road. I can't compete with that. The photography fee, entry fee and time it takes to enter has made me less than receptive to contests." Erica Kalkofen, CEO ek kitchens&design; Winter Park, CO WARNING: For Professionals Only! Now, a leading marketing organization offers you a way to survive this decade of turbulence. We prepared eight "Survival Guides" of proven tactics based on years of marketing and experience — everything from publicity and advertising to the Internet and how to become a product spokesperson. You can get your copies FREE by simply asking for them. No strings attached. Go to guides.interlinegroup.com or call 847-358-4848 for a full set of Interline "Survival Guides." Intense reading. If you don't have your copies of the survival guides you are missing out! Order now, go to: guides.interlinegroup.com, or call 847-358-4848. ©2012 Interline Creative Group, Inc. Circle No. 3 on Product Card