Organization: International Housewares Association
Eligible Products
All manufacturers and marketers of housewares products are invited to enter designs that have been introduced and made available for consumer purchase in the U.S. via retail stores, TV retailers, electronic sales or direct marketing . The product may be designed and manufactured in any country.
Designers or public relations agencies may submit a product on behalf of the company that developed it. Licensed or controlled brands (for example, a product made especially for Disney or a private label/branded line for Target or Williams-Sonoma) are
acceptable, but entry must be made in the name of the company that makes the product.
Any product that is the subject of a dispute concerning ownership of its intellectual property rights is ineligible. Entries that do not meet these requirements will be refused.
Evaluation Criteria
Judges will consider several product characteristics:
- Unique appearance and/or function
- Recognized or unrecognized consumer needs addressed by product
- Appropriate aesthetics
- Innovative materials or technology
- Human factors and safety issues
- Market positioning and competitive performance
- Social impact
- Emotional Appeal
- Environmental benefits (materials, processes, etc.)
Review Process
A multi-disciplinary jury of designers, retail buyers and champions of design in the housewares fields– administered by IHA– will review all categories. Twelve judges study the entry forms before meeting to examine and review all eligible products.
Judges will disqualify themselves from evaluating any product in whose development they have been involved.
Housewares Design Awards
