When Sports Product Design student Will Curtis, PD BFA '24, was presented with the opportunity to compete in one of industrial design’s longstanding global awards programs, supported by the Industrial Designers Society of America (IDSA), he knew he had to take the leap.
"I was incredibly honored and excited to just be selected to represent my program," Curtis explained. "To have my work considered at that level [alongside other designers] felt like a huge opportunity."
The IDSA is one of the oldest and largest industrial design associations and serves as an advocate and voice of the industrial design profession, everywhere. The IDSA promotes and supports the practice of industrial design, ensuring the public understands the impact designers have in creating products, services, and experiences that improve people and the world. One way to showcase the international talent is through its International Design Excellence Awards (IDEA) event. Every year, this awards program brings the very best designers together across 20 different categories to compete. Over 2,000 entries were judged and compared in this year's competition, each entry showcasing a plethora of talent, exceptional creativity, innovation, and impact.
“The projects recognized through IDEA demonstrate the extraordinary range of industrial design today,” said Phnam Bagley, 2026 IDEA Jury Chair. “At its best, design improves lives, expands opportunity, strengthens communities, protects our planet, and helps solve some of society’s most pressing challenges.”
Meticulous jurors taking in every little detail in a particular entry can be nerve-wracking, which is where having a support system is crucial for navigating the stresses of a professional competition.
"I was confident in my work, but ... I definitely didn’t get to this point alone. My partner and family were incredibly supportive, and there were plenty of late nights bouncing ideas around with classmates," said Curtis, "the faculty were also a huge part of the process, especially [Product Design Department Head] Susan Sokolowski and [Sports Product Design Program Head] Carly Mick."
Curtis's experience was one that UO sports product design students are familiar with, when it comes to competing in the IDSA's design competitions, a hard-fought win.
"Having an organization as prestigious as IDSA recognize the amount of work I’ve put in was pretty indescribable and was overwhelmingly validating," explained Curtis. "It’s national recognition that you can’t buy, and the experience of sharing your work, meeting other designers, and getting feedback from people across the industry makes it all worthwhile."
Curtis's time in Pasadena, CA, for the award ceremony was more than just a time to network, it was the ultimate confidence booster and reinforced his goals for what comes next.
"I want to continue designing technical products and performance systems for athletes in action sports and extreme environments, and having IDSA recognize that work gives me even more confidence to keep pushing towards my goals."