EDspaces Product Innovation Awards

Recognizing Innovative Product Design for Learning Environments

EDspaces and media partner Learning By Design magazine are proud to host The Product Innovation Awards program which have recognized Best in Class Product Design for Learning Environments. A panel of education industry professionals review and evaluate all awards submittals based on specific criteria including: a demonstrated rigor in design for education environments, aesthetics, innovation, sustainability, academic and emotional impact, and much more.

2022 Call for Entries Now Open

Deadline to Submit Entries: September 15, 2023
Deadline to Submit Presentations: September 29, 2023

Manufacturers planning to exhibit and/or sponsor at EDspaces 2023 (Charlotte, NC November 7-9) are invited to enter new sales-ready products that are: innovative; demonstrate rigor in design for education environments; are appropriate for the age of learner; are for specific settings and/or activities; are based on research and customer collaboration; have a level of certification; augment learning and/or space utilization; improve the social, emotional, and cognitive well-being of students, staff and community; and are sustainable and aesthetically pleasing.

Products must be market-ready (sorry, no prototypes), with an introduction date after October 2021 and deliverable in the first quarter of 2024.

Product Innovation Awards Process:
An elite jury of industry professionals will review all submittals, and determine which products will move to the Finalist round.

  • Companies with product entries chosen as Finalist must be available to “live pitch” their product to jurors at their EDspaces booth just after exhibit set-up on Tuesday November 7th, starting at 5pm.
  • All entrants are required to attend the Product Innovation Awards Presentation & EDspaces Opening Ceremony where 3 top Product Innovation Awards (Best in Show; 2nd Place, 3rd Place) award recipients will be revealed, products highlighted, and design teams called to stage to receive their award.
  • All entered products will be featured in two post-awards ceremony email campaigns plus will be featured for six months on the Learning By Design Magazine website.
  • A Product Innovation Showcase, featuring ALL SUBMITTED PROJECTS will be promoted before, during, and after the EDspaces event, with product photography/video, product name, company name/website, booth number, and product description.
  • Upon entry participants will receive instructions and a template for preparing their product entry. Submissions will include photos, product descriptions, and responses to Q&A. We also encourage a video clip, up to 2 minutes in length, to be included within your presentation. For Questions, please contact Donna Hidalgo at 210-419-9017 or email donna@learningbydesignmagazine.com

    Entry Rates: $695 / First Entry: $585 for each additional entry

    2022 Award Winners Gallery

    Best in Show: Plot Twist™ by OM Seating

    2nd Place: Illusions 2.0 Storage Collection by Fleetwood

    3rd Place: TacTiles by NorvaNivel

    Best-in-Show 2022 EDspaces Learning By Design Product Innovation Award Winner:
    Plot Twist™ by OM Seating; The judges selected Plot Twist™ as Best In Show for a number of different reasons. Plot Twist™ is available in 3 configurations – upholstered swivel seat (i.e., pouf form); upholstered swivel seat with low back support; either form… but with an attached, ambidextrous tablet. The attached tablet has the ability to smoothly adjust its height from sitting to standing/presentation mode. Overall, the judges loved the versatility, numerous different configurations, and creative use of design of Plot Twist™ by OM Seating.
    2nd Place 2022 EDspaces Learning By Design Product Innovation Award Winner:
    Illusions 2.0 Storage Collection by Fleetwood; Judges loved the built-in look without the expense. With Illusions 2.0, everything is planned upfront and rolled into place. Use it alone or with the complementary Designer 2.0 and Fleetwood tables. All share the same platforming logic. Have fun building your custom application. Play with depths, heights, and widths of different components to build your dream storage or learning wall. Keep it simple or layer in analog and digital display areas to boost learning opportunities.
    3rd Place 2022 EDspaces Learning By Design Product Innovation Award Winner:
    TacTiles by NorvaNivel; Meet Feelix, Grassi, Minki, Velli, Mopsi, and Pixi. In-hand, in reach, or mounted underneath to be a little more discrete, all six calming-to-the-touch sensory tiles are designed to empower and help kids focus, listen, regroup, and overcome anxiety. In-hand, in reach, or mounted underneath to be a little more discrete.