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HD/West Elm Student Product Design Competition

West Elm has partnered with Hospitality Design (HD) magazine for the eighth annual Student Product Design Competition. This year, West Elm is seeking a an original design for lounge chairs designed for durability and style in high-traffic hospitality and commercial spaces. The deadline for submissions is March 6th.

Additional design requirements include:

The lounge chair must reflect the West Elm brand aesthetic
The lounge chair must be an original design
The lounge chair must be suitable for high-traffic environments.
The lounge chair must have an upholstered seat and back
The lounge chair must support a minimum of 300 lbs.
The lounge chair must use tight upholstery or physically attached cushions
The lounge chair must utilize mixed materials for visual interest

All entries must be submitted online—we will not be accepting hard copies of entries.

Step 1. Read the rules page before getting started with your entry

The rules page explains how to enter, cost of entry, and the categories for this competition.

Step 2. Create a login that will save all your entry information

Once you create a login, you can begin uploading your entry info. You will be able to save it and come back at a later time to finish the process if necessary. To access the entry form you must first create a login. Once you create a login, you will arrive on part one of the entry form—the rules page. You will be required to certify that you have read and understood the rules document before you move on to the entry form.

Create your login now

Step 3. Fill out the entry form

The entry form is split into three parts. The first part is to read and certify the rules page. On the second part, you will input the project description, project details, etc. The third part you will upload all project images to the system.

Begin your submission

Step 4. Pay for your entry

Entry fees are $40. Payment is accepted with a Paypal account, or with a credit/debit card (through Paypal's website).

Contest judges include members from the West Elm team.

The winning designer will receive a $5,000 prize and have their product produced by West Elm. In addition, they will be featured in the May/June 2026 issue of Hospitality Design magazine and honored at the HD Awards ceremony on May 5th at the Encore at Wynn Las Vegas during HD Expo + Conference in Las Vegas.