Students
Challenge and advance your design education
IIDA Southern California supports the advancement of education and offers several programs and opportunities for interior design students throughout the region.
Interior design students from SoCal schools come together once a year to collaborate in a fast-paced, hands-on design Charette. Teams work together to develop a design presentation based on a program assigned at the beginning of the day. Winners are chosen by a panel of esteemed interior design professionals. The first-place team is awarded $10,000, and the second-place team receives $4,000. The first-place team is also invited to participate in the Western Regional Student Charette.
The 2024 Student Charrette is taking place on March 23, 2024 at Gensler Newport Beach. Click here for more details.
Virtual Student Design Expo
The summer of 2021 saw the second annual Virtual Student Design Expo for IIDA SoCal Student Members. Students will be asked to submit a single project that represents their best work that was completed during their schooling for a chance to win exclusive prizes! Accepted entrees went through a closed judging process to determine a 1st place winner, and a public vote to determine a People’s Choice winner.
West Coast Student Design Charette
The first Western Regional Student Design Charette was held in Southern California in 2015. Since that time, other Western Regional Chapters have hosted the Regional Charette each year and, in 2021, the event was held virtually and hosted by the Northern California Chapter. Participants include the winning teams of the local Charettes in IIDA Chapters along the West Coast, including Southern California, Northern California, Oregon, the Pacific Northwest, Rocky Mountain and Arizona, and Hawaii.
Best of Design - Student Competition
For this annual event, students submit a project for review by a panel of judges. Awards are given for Innovation, Social Relevance and the very special Aram Arakelian Memorial Award, named after the founder of SoCal’s Student Program.
Other Student Programs
IIDA hosts student programs such as portfolio reviews, panel discussions and sample swaps throughout our Chapter in Los Angeles, Orange County, San Diego and Inland Empire. We also offer discounted tickets for students at most events. Check our event calendar for more events.
Become a Student Member
Join or Start a Campus Center
We have several Campus Centers located at colleges and universities in Southern California. These are design-oriented groups on the campuses that provide opportunities for interaction with other IIDA Student Members, organize events, take a leadership role, and work closely with local Chapter leaders.
Set your school up as an IIDA Campus Center
Please check with the Interior Design faculty for campus activities. To set your school up as an IIDA Campus Center, see info here.
Current SoCal Campus Centers
