Now Open: VMSD’s International Visual Competition

VMSD invites all independent designers, design firms, visual merchandisers, retailers, manufacturers and distributors to enter the 30th annual International Visual Competition. Visual projects must have been completed between January 1, 2023, and December 31, 2023. This competition showcases visual display achievements of limited shelf life. Please do not submit interior or exterior architectural design projects or permanent store display projects.

DEADLINE: March 8; click here to submit your project

First Place and Honorable Mention awards will be named in each category at the judges’ discretion, as well as Best of Show. Winning entries will be featured in the July/August 2024 issue of VMSD magazine and the Best of Show winner will also receive a complimentary registration* (a $1900-plus value) to VMSD’s International Retail Design Conference (IRDC).*

Please note: Only retailers, visual merchandisers and designers are eligible for a free IRDC registration. Manufacturers, distributors or suppliers must become a sponsor in order to attend IRDC. In the event a manufacturer, distributor or supplier wins, they will be allowed to share their free registration with a preferred retail client.

Designers may submit more than one entry in as many of the following categories as they wish. No entry, however, may be submitted in more than one category:

Category A: In-Store Apparel Presentation – In-store single apparel presentations include women’s, men’s and children’s clothing and intimate apparel.

Category B: In-Store Accessories/Beauty and Shoes Presentation – Single presentations include women’s, men’s and children’s accessories, beauty products, shoes and jewelry.

Category C: In-Store Home Goods Presentation – Single presentations include furniture, tabletop, toys, electronics, books, music, stationery, sporting goods, gourmet foods and gifts that do not fall into the other categories listed.

Category D: In-Store Storewide Promotions – A series of images that illustrate the continuation of a single theme (such as a storewide product launch promotion). Entries must include store interior and window displays, otherwise they will be moved to another category.

Category E: In-Store Seasonal Promotions – A series of images (including store interior and window displays) that illustrate a seasonal promotion like Christmas or Back to School.

Category F: Non-holiday Window Displays (includes seasonal windows like Back to School, Fall, Bridal, Events or Cause-related.)

Category G: Holiday Window Displays

Category H: Temporary/Pop-up Retail Space

Category I: Food and Beverage/Consumables – Grocery and/or specialty food store displays/in-store promotions or product/food merchandising. Cannabis dispensaries, candy shops, quick-service restaurants and bakeries are also covered in this category. 

Category J: Student Project – Includes temporary student-created merchandising and visual display projects, whether part of a school assignment (high school or college) or from a freelancing, internship opportunity. Entrants must be full-time students enrolled in a visual design program.** 

For more information, or to submit your projects, please click here.