Stage Two Finalists
The Challenge
How the Challenge Works
FAQ
Teacher and student resources

How to enter

Three steps to enter

the challenge Entry deadline  of 3pm (EST) on February 21, 2016 has concluded. no additional submissions are being accepted.

1. Create your design!

Review the challenge guidelines to help ignite your creative thinking.

2. Prepare your submission

All submissions will be made online. But before you begin the submission process, make sure you have the following ready:

  • Two drawings of your chair design. One drawing should be a view of the chair from the side. The other drawing should be a view of the chair from the front and—this is important!—include a human figure standing next to the chair. This is so the size of your chair is clear. Your drawings can be done in pencil, watercolor, marker, or on a computer. But you must create a .jpg or .png file of your drawings to include with your submission.
  • A 50-word (250-character) or less statement explaining your choice of inspiration object and how it connects to your design. The online entry form includes a box where you can copy and paste your statement.
  • A signed parental/guardian consent form that you have scanned as a .jpg or .png file.

3. Complete the entry form

To complete our online entry form, you will need to include:

  • Your name and contact information.
  • An upload of your design submission as a .jpg or .png file (must be 300 dpi, 1024 x 768 pixels).  Please note that computer screen shots or photos taken with your cellphone or tablet are usually not at 300 dpi, 1024 X 768 pixels.  Ensure you choose a digitization method for your submission that meets the minimum file requirements listed.
  • An upload of your signed parental/guardian consent form as a .jpg or .png file (must be 300 dpi)
  • On the online entry form make sure to:
    • Select one of the twelve Cooper Hewitt collection objects you chose as your inspiration from the drop down menu.
    • Check the box next to the materials you would like to see used to make your chair. Remember! Plastic is not an option.

Entry deadline 3pm (EST) on February 21, 2016

You will receive a confirmation email that your submission has been received. Please note that only finalists and honorable mentions will be notified of their selection. The finalists and honorable mentions will be posted on the Challenge portion of the website on March 4, 2016.

Additional important information

  • This competition is only open to high school students ages thirteen to nineteen.
  • You may only enter as an individual and you may only enter once.
  • Your entry cannot  have any marks, logos, or writing on it that identifies authorship.  This is so Cooper Hewitt can review all submissions anonymously.
  • Please review the entry requirements as well as the challenge rules and conditions on your participation. Unfortunately, any submissions that do not fulfill the requirements will not be considered.
  • All submissions become the property of Cooper Hewitt and will not be returned.
  • Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum and Target are not responsible for lost, damaged, misdelivered, or digitally corrupted submissions.
  • No resubmissions will be allowed. To avoid mistakes, please take a look at our FAQ page. There you can troubleshoot any questions you may have about the Student Design Challenge.