HIGH POINT, N.C. — The International Society of Furniture Designers (ISFD) has incorporated the Innovation+Design (I+D) competition into their annual Pinnacle Awards, held during the fall High Point Market. The Designer-Maker section of the 2025 Pinnacle Awards has been expanded to include 16 new subcategories representing the most popular I+D entries. Winners will be announced at the annual Pinnacle Awards Gala on Monday, October 27, 2025. The deadline to enter is July 31, 2025.

Designers who produce products that contain wood in their designs, mimicking nature-inspired patterns, can also be considered for the new Biophilic Design in Wood category. 

“The home furnishings arena is constantly changing and evolving,” stated David Blair, ISFD executive director. “To stay on top of the trends, we continually evaluate what is occurring in the marketplace and the value of winning a Pinnacle Award. This year, we expanded the Designer-Maker section of the Pinnacle Awards to include new subcategories to support more artisan makers who create one-of-a-kind masterpieces. We also added the Biophilic Design in Wood category, recognizing the natural elements present in the designs. And last year, we added the Finishing Category, another important design element. These additions will allow more artisans to present their work to ̶ and network with ̶ the large High Point Market audience.”

The expanded Designer-Maker subcategories include:

• Accessories — Any floor-standing decorative accessories (sculpture, large planters or vases, screens, pedestals, carts, etc.). Entry may be by piece or group.
• Bedroom — Headboards, mirrors, nightstands, chests, dressers, and other storage units intended primarily for bedroom use.
• Dining — Entry must consist of at least one table of one size and one chair model.
• Entertainment Furniture — Individual or multiple units (groupings) that accommodate audio/video components.
• Finishings — Any home furnishing to which a finish is applied, except textiles. Judges will only consider the finish. Products from other categories may also be entered in Finishings; a separate entry fee will apply. 
• Floor Coverings — Rugs Home Office — Desks, seating, and storage intended for home offices, i.e., the piece(s) combine office functionality with style and sizing suitable for home use. Entry may be by piece or by group. Home Textiles Print — Screen or digital print textiles designed for home furnishings, primarily upholstered furniture, introduced in the last year. Limit one entry per designer and one color way per entry.
• Home Textiles Woven — Jacquard or dobby woven textiles designed for home furnishings, primarily upholstered furniture, introduced in the last year. Limit one entry per designer and one color way per entry. Lighting — Incandescent or LED fixed lighting intended for indoor home use, including table lamps, floor lamps, pendants, and chandeliers. Entry may be by piece or group.
• Occasional Storage — Furnishings intended for home use, for which the primary function is storage, such as wall units, étagères, curio cabinets, or movable storage. Entry may be by piece or group.
• Occasional Tables — An open piece of furniture with a flat top and one or more legs or supports, providing a level surface on which objects may be placed.
• Outdoor — Tables, chairs, and other furniture designed primarily for outdoor use or settings such as sunrooms, porches, patios, or atriums.
• Upholstered Seating — Consists of chairs, sofas, sectionals, or chaises upholstered in cloth, leather, or a combination of fabric and leather.
• Wall Décor — Home furnishings items that attach to or hang on a wall, including, but not limited to, wall mirrors, decorative objects, and clocks. Does not include paintings or prints. Entry may be by piece or group.
• Youth — Furniture for nurseries and juvenile bedrooms, including beds, children's room accessories, and storage. Entry may be by piece or group.
• The Biophilic Design in Wood Award — Products that incorporate wood into the design, meet the most discerning design standards, and express the patterns of biophilic design. 

The Pinnacle Awards Designer-Maker category is for artisans who design and build pieces for custom orders or small production runs. Industry veterans will judge the entries to determine the finalists and winners of the highly coveted Pinnacle Awards. The distinguished Pinnacle Awards Designer-Maker finalists and winners will be featured in all Pinnacle Awards communications. Finalists and winners will not be required to ship their projects to High Point for display. 

Submission details are at the 2025 Pinnacle Awards. To see last year’s winners, please visit the 2024 ISFD Pinnacle Award Winners. The entry deadline is July 31, 2025.