FORM Competition Calls for Mood-boosting Furniture Designs

The 2026 FORM Student Innovation Competition, launched by Formica Corporation, underscores the importance of joy in design philosophy, resonating with broader trends industry leaders have highlighted in the past year.

FORM’s History and Industry Impact

Formica opened submissions for its ninth annual FORM Student Innovation Competition, inviting students in architecture, interior design, and industrial design across the United States, Canada, and Mexico to create original furniture pieces that spark joy. The 2026 theme, “Mood-Boosting Design,” encourages participants to explore color, texture, and form to inspire emotional well-being for users and designers alike.

Now a cornerstone of Formica’s student outreach, the competition builds on the past contests, including 2025’s “Designing for Wellbeing” and 2024’s “Newstalgia.” Winning designs have been showcased at NeoCon, providing emerging talent with national recognition and networking opportunities, as their creations are fabricated for public display.

Previous winners, like Leah-Marie Boake’s imaginative children’s playhouse “Playce” and Cali Pitcher’s multifunctional “Notions,” exemplify how expressive materials and thoughtful design can elevate everyday experiences.

“We know that design isn’t just about looking good but also feeling good, and who doesn’t want to feel better every time they walk into a space?” Meghan Howell, North American design and creative director at Formica Corporation, said. “We’re all uplifted in different ways, so we’re excited to see how students express themselves and what brings them joy in their designs.”

Participants must submit a project statement and color rendering, incorporating at least three Formica Brand and/or FENIX products. Winners will receive cash prizes of $2,000, $1,000, and $500, with the top three designs fabricated and displayed at NeoCon 2026.

Why Mood-boosting Design Matters

Formica’s competition reinforces a broader design trend emphasizing wellness, joy, and emotional resonance.

According to the 2025 Trends Outlook from the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID), consumers increasingly value meaningful spaces, artisanal craftsmanship, and authentic narratives over mass-market aesthetics. Designers are blending styles, cultural references, and sustainable materials to create interiors that support both environmental responsibility and emotional well-being.

Similarly, IIDA New York Chapter President Christin Weaver notes that joy is central to engagement and professional development within the design community. Weaver shared how mentorship, volunteer opportunities, and safe spaces for emerging designers foster connection, creativity, and a sense of purpose—principles that resonate with the FORM competition’s focus on uplifting design.

“[IIDA] is a volunteer organization, so I want to make sure it’s enjoyable for people,” Weaver told i+s in December 2024. “I want everyone to be passionate about what they’re doing and how they’re doing it.”

Industry experts, including ASID and IIDA leaders, have noted the growing importance of emotional well-being, storytelling, and artisanal craftsmanship in design. Through the FORM competition, students can explore these principles firsthand, combining innovation with materials expertise to create spaces that uplift and inspire.

How to Enter FORM 2026

Entries are open September 10, 2025, through February 27, 2026. Formica provides resources, rules, and inspiration to guide participants as they develop original, joy-centered furniture concepts.

As the industry increasingly values designs that support emotional and physical well-being, the FORM Student Innovation Competition continues to spotlight emerging talent and foster the next generation of designers who are shaping not only functional interiors but also experiences that spark delight and connection.

Joy in design goes beyond a trend to a lifestyle shift where interior designers are creating spaces that are inclusive, sustainable, and emotionally resonant. The FORM Student Innovation Competition spotlights emerging talent while encouraging them to prioritize emotional well-being and inclusivity in their designs. As the next generation of designers shape functional, connected interiors, the influence of mood-boosting design is imperative.

Next Steps

• Students: download rules and submit a project statement plus color rendering by Feb. 27, 2026.
• Educators: circulate the FORM brief to design studios and link students to Formica resources.
• Editors/specifiers: highlight mood-boosting student designs in portfolios and social channels.
• Show producers: plan to visit NeoCon 2026 to see the fabricated winning designs.
• Design leaders: use FORM entries to identify emerging talent for mentorship and hires.