Phase 1: The Vision

This vision was the foundation of our entire awards process. Months before the first invitation was sent, we gathered committees of passionate industry professionals, each bringing unique insights and expertise. Together, we set clear goals and carefully defined award categories that reflected the diverse, dynamic nature of design today - from pioneering architectural feats to sustainable interior innovations.

This phase was about laying down a roadmap with purpose. The vision was clear: to create an awards platform that truly represents and uplifts the full spectrum of design excellence across the nation.

Phase 2: The Call

Once the vision was clear and the framework set, the call to participate went out - and it came with tremendous energy and unity. All chapters across the country rallied together, led by their dedicated chapter chairpersons. Through heartfelt messages, emails, and personal outreach, they encouraged their members not to miss this incredible opportunity to showcase their talent on a national stage.

Adding to the momentum, past winners stepped forward to share their inspiring stories - how winning IIID awards had transformed their practices, opened doors, and elevated their careers. These powerful testimonials resonated deeply within the community, underscoring the awards’ role as a catalyst for growth and recognition.

Harnessing the power of modern technology and social media, these messages spread rapidly across platforms, amplifying excitement and participation. The result was spectacular: the number of submissions soared, as designers and creators nationwide eagerly answered the call. Overnight, thanks to digital connectivity, the awards journey gained a dynamic and vibrant pulse, setting the stage for an unprecedented wave of creativity.

Phase 3: The Submissions

The response to our call was nothing short of overwhelming. Over 800 entries poured in from across the country, a vibrant testament to the enthusiasm and creativity thriving within the design community. To streamline this incredible volume, the entire submission process was fully digitalized. Participants uploaded their entries online, telling their stories through detailed panels, photographs, and walkthrough videos.

Each submission became a narrative - a carefully crafted presentation of vision, craftsmanship, and impact. From innovative use of sustainable materials to visionary transformations of spaces, these entries reflected the remarkable diversity and depth of talent in India. Designers reimagined environments, pushed boundaries, and brought ideas to life through stone, steel, wood, and imagination.

This flood of creativity not only exceeded expectations but also reinforced the significance of the awards as a platform that truly resonates with and inspires the design fraternity.

Phase 4: The Jury

The jury panel was thoughtfully composed of 24 esteemed jurors drawn from various zones across the country, representing a wide range of disciplines and perspectives. This diverse mix ensured that every entry was evaluated through multiple lenses, enriching the fairness and depth of the judging process.

The effort was immense and meticulously organized. Each juror was responsible for individually shortlisting approximately 200 entries from their respective zones. Using a dedicated software platform, jurors completed this initial screening several days before the main jury event, enabling a structured and efficient workflow.

Following this, the filtered top entries were brought forward for an intensive two-day jury deliberation held in Hyderabad on April 25th and 26th, 2025. Here, all jurors convened to vigorously discuss, debate, and finalize the selections, ensuring that only the most deserving projects stood apart -- those that exemplified innovation, craftsmanship, impact, and purposeful design.

Phase 5: The Curation

Design in India is wonderfully regional, shaped by diverse cultures, climates, and histories. Recognizing this, the awards embraced a zonal approach, with showcases in key cities representing the unique design ethos of their regions:

• South Zone (Bangalore): A hub for forward-thinking, tech-savvy, and bold new ideas.
• North & East Zones (Delhi): Grounded in rich heritage, yet continually reinventing tradition.
• West Zone (Surat): Where time-honoured craftsmanship meets innovative expressions.
• Central Zone (Mumbai): The city of dreams inspiring groundbreaking design through a fusion of cultural richness and contemporary vision.

Each zonal showcase became a platform to highlight local stories, celebrate zonal talent, and amplify the national dialogue on purposeful design.

Phase 6: The Grand Finale — The Live Jury and The Celebration

The culmination of months of vision, creativity, and rigorous evaluation arrived with the grand finale held in Mumbai on June 6th and 7th, 2025. This landmark event featured a live jury session with a panel of 15 distinguished jurors who gathered to review and deliberate the finest submissions.

Among the finalists were 69 participants, including 13 wildcard entries - a new and experimental addition to this year’s awards. These wildcard entries originated from the regional awards conducted across various chapters, giving emerging and exceptional talents a unique second chance to compete on the national stage. This innovative feature proved to be a great success, bringing forward remarkable gems from the regional showcases and enriching the competition.

During the live jury sessions, jurors engaged directly with the participants’ work, discussing details, asking questions, and collaboratively deciding the winners with deep insight and fairness. The intense, interactive nature of this stage ensured that the awards reflected the highest standards of excellence and innovation.

Following the live jury, the atmosphere shifted to celebration. The awards night was a luminous gathering where the industry’s finest came together to honour not just the winners, but the collective spirit of innovation, courage, and craftsmanship that defined every submission. The evening sparkled with memorable moments - the applause ringing loud as winners stepped into the spotlight, heartfelt speeches that reflected journeys of perseverance, and a shared sense of pride in advancing the design profession. It was a night where stories came alive, connections were forged, and design took centre stage.

This grand finale was more than just an event - it was a landmark occasion that encapsulated the awards’ mission: to spotlight purposeful design and inspire the creative community to continue dreaming, daring, and delivering.

Looking Ahead: More Than an Event

While the awards night marked a grand conclusion to this year’s journey, it also heralded a new beginning. The conversations sparked here will continue to grow - about design that moves, that speaks, and that leads with purpose.

Our awards process is more than a celebration; it is a movement to elevate design’s role in shaping a better, more thoughtful world. From vision to victory - this is only the start of a louder, deeper dialogue about design’s future.