16. The judging panel will consider submitted designs (received by the closing date) and rate each on Creativity and Innovation (40%), Use of Colour (30%), Concept and Storytelling (10%) and Commercial Viability (20%) of the rug design and demonstrated understanding of the handmade rug construction process.
17. Designer Rugs reserves the right to support the Judges’ decisions as final. No communication will be accepted once the Judge’s decision has been made. Any feedback given in the judging process may be used by Designer Rugs and may be provided to the relevant entrant.

1. Designer Rugs' design studio will select 100 designs for each category from the entries that have been qualified and received by the closing date.
2. Each selected design will be assigned a code structure to ensure anonymity during the judging process.
3. The judging panel will review the coded designs and select their top 10 designs each, forming a shortlist of up to 50 designs (this number may reduce if there are duplicates).
4. The judges will then convene to select the final 6 designs for manufacturing.
5. A private judging event will be held in March 2026 in Sydney (TBC) to determine the overall winners.

1. All designs must be an original concept and the designer’s own work, not that of a third party. If submitted work is the result of a previous commission, the entry must be accompanied by a signed release declaring the design free from any other third party claim.
2. The entrant agrees to indemnify Designer Rugs against all claims and costs by third parties arising from a breach of the warranty set out in this condition and acknowledges their design cannot already be a rug/carpet design with another company in Australia or internationally.
3. Confidentiality clause: entrants agree that submitted designs will not be divulged to any third party (including publications, design competitions, promotional material, client presentations or similar), and acknowledge that by completing the entry form, they agree submitted designs remain confidential until the awards ceremony in March 2026.
4. The outcome as determined by the judging collective is accepted as final.
5. The promotion/award is open to Australian permanent residents or citizens and qualifies as per outlined in the “Entry Criteria.” Entrants must be over the age of 18 years old. Entry is not open to employees of Designer Rugs Pty Ltd.

1. Category Winners: Under 30
 Winner & Over 30 Winner
Each category winner will receive:
A cash prize of $2,000 AUD. (plus GST where applicable). This passes copyright of the design to Designer Rugs.
Return flights and 3 nights' accommodation (for one person) to attend the 3daysofdesign 2026 event in Copenhagen, Denmark, from June 10–12, 2026. (Airline and accommodation will be arranged by Designer Rugs.)
The Copenhagen trip is non-transferable and cannot be redeemed for cash if not taken. Their winning design featured in the Evolve Collection 2026 by Designer Rugs.
Important Notes for Category Winners:
• The trip to Copenhagen is non-transferable and must be used exclusively for attending the 3daysofdesign event.
• If a winner wishes to extend their stay in Copenhagen, Designer Rugs will provide a set amount for the return flight, allowing the winner to book their extended travel independently.
• Flights and accommodation for the 3daysofdesign event will be arranged and paid for by Designer Rugs.

2. Category Highly Commended:
• Two highly commended entrants will be selected from each category.
• Each highly commended entrant will receive a cash prize of $1,000 AUD.
(plus GST where applicable). This passes copyright of the design to Designer Rugs.

3. Evolve Collection 2026:
• The designs of all category winners and highly commended entrants will form the Evolve Collection 2026 by Designer Rugs.
• Designer Rugs will own the full rights to all designs included in the collection.
• Winners and highly commended entrants will not receive royalties from the sales of their designs.

4. Prize Acceptance:
• Winners must notify Designer Rugs of their acceptance of the prize within one (1) week of the winner announcement.

1. All entries become the property of Designer Rugs and will not be returned to entrants. The entrant grants Designer Rugs use of submitted entries and images for future promotional, marketing, and publicity purposes. If a design is entered into the competition and does not form part of the final collection, Designer Rugs retains the right to purchase the design at $1,000 AUD (plus GST). Upon purchase, Designer Rugs will own the copyright to the design, including all associated intellectual property rights.
2. Entrants will receive full details of the awards evening from Designer Rugs, in a format Designer Rugs determine, closer to the event.
3. Entrants must disclose any issues that may generate negative publicity and impact the success of this promotion. Designer Rugs may disqualify an entrant for not disclosing this information.
4. It is a condition of accepting the prizes that the winners agree to be interviewed and photographed on at least one occasion after being notified by Designer Rugs or their agents for promotional purposes.

1. Designer Rugs has the right to alter the Evolve program at any time. This includes alterations to the prize pool, judging criteria, and final design selection.
2. The major prize winners (Evolve winner and highly commended) are responsible for ensuring that they have valid travel documents and insurance. It is a condition of accepting the prize that the winners may be requested to present their credit card upon arrival at the hotel to cover all incidentals they may incur during their stay. Incidentals are not included in the prize.
3. If travel is included as part of the prize, the itinerary will be determined by Designer Rugs and will be coordinated for an international design event at Designer Rugs’ discretion. The airline will be determined by Designer Rugs and frequent-flyer points will not form part of the prize. The prize does not include transfers, meals, beverages, medical expenses, insurance, visas, personal items, government taxes or duties, laundry, telephone calls, additional nights, room upgrades or other ancillary costs other than those specified.
4. All prizes are non-transferable and non-exchangeable and cannot be taken as cash (other than the design fee).
5. It is the responsibility of entrants to cover any costs associated with travel or other costs in attending the awards event and promotional activities surrounding the award.
6. Designer Rugs is not responsible for any tax implications that may arise from the prize winnings. Independent financial advice should be sought.
7. Except for any liability that cannot be excluded by law, Designer Rugs (including its employees, officers and agents) excludes all liability (including negligence) for any personal injury, or any loss or damage (including loss of opportunity), whether direct, indirect or consequential, arising in any way from the promotion.

END