On the heels of its successful 2013 launch, The International Design Guild Designer Program recently kicked off of the second year of the Design for a Difference national design contest.  The contest returns with an expanded prizes including more than $25,000 in goods and services.

This first-of-its kind contest was created in 2013 to encourage interior designers to give back to their local communities via design makeovers for local charities, and provides winners with the products and services to fulfill their design vision for a local nonprofit and make an impact.
IDG, along with Design for a Difference spokesperson Mark Brunetz (Clean House), is encouraging design professionals and students from the U.S. and Canada to enter.

One winner will earn the grand prize: $25,000 in retail goods & services, the opportunity to collaborate and co-host with celebrity designer, Mark Brunetz; a professionally produced video will be provided to winner and winning charity for use to promote their work; and inclusion in IDG marketing materials.

Additionally four regional prizes will awarded of an all-expense paid trip to the Grand Prize city while participating in the project; the opportunity to be a part of the makeover team along with the winner and celebrity designer, Mark Brunetz; and a $2,000 prize package from the local IDG Showroom to support the makeover for their nominated charity.

“We know that the design community is very generous and that so many designers already give of their time and talents to worthwhile causes. This contest continues to give us a chance to celebrate the talents of designers and help raise awareness of the non-profit organizations that bring hope and help to the local communities where we do business,” said IDG President Krista Eliason. “We believe that design has the power to impact and enhance lives, and we witnessed just how transformative design can be with last year’s winner.”

Leslie Ann Schifferns from Spokane, Washington who nominated the local charity Transitions, was selected as the Grand Prize winner in the inaugural Design for a Difference contest, in affiliation with IDG Spokane showroom, Gina’s Design Center. Transitions provides transitional housing for women and children throughout the Spokane region.

A video of last year’s winning project and makeover is available at www.youtube.com/idgdesigner.

“Design for a Difference is more than a name; it’s a mission to unite a community of designers and leverage their ability to change lives, one space at a time.  And when it’s a space at a charity, it becomes the gift that keeps on giving, ” said Mark Brunetz. “It’s so important to give back, and this contest makes it so much easier for philanthropic designers to do so.”

Contest entries will be accepted until June 1, 2014 at www.IDGcontest.com. The contest is open to interior designers, architects and design students. Winners will be announced on August 1, 2014.

About IDG DESIGNER PROGRAM
The International Design Guild is the only luxury flooring alliance in the country. Our showrooms have carefully curated partnerships with some of the most talented and visionary designers around the globe. At IDG, we support these valued relationships through our Designer Program that engages and promotes the work of our designer members.  For more information please visit http://www.idgdesigner.com.

About Mark Brunetz
Emmy® Award winning designer and author Mark Brunetz‘s influence within the design industry is far-reaching with his work in makeover television seen in more than 30 countries. At the creative helm of Mark Brunetz Designs in Los Angeles, Mark’s extraordinary attention to detail and commitment to quality have awarded him high-profile clients throughout the U.S.

A strong advocate of pro bono work, Mark has been instrumental in launching several non-profit initiatives from South Los Angeles to South Africa providing the transformative power of design to people from all walks of life.

Mark currently serves as the Spokesperson for Design For A Difference; the first-ever design competition to award goods and resources to makeover local charities in the U.S. and Canada.