Students from Bemidji State University and the Fashion Institute of Technology earn recognition at the industry’s only system-based student design competition.
MINNEAPOLIS, MN — The Experiential Design Authority (TEDA) today announced seven finalists for the Best Student Design category of the 2026 ExSys Awards, recognizing undergraduate and graduate students whose exhibit design concepts demonstrate exceptional creativity, innovation, and mastery of system-based design principles.
The 2026 ExSys Student Design finalists are:
- Ariana Castillo — Bemidji State University
- Jessica Doan — Fashion Institute of Technology
- Alexi Duda — Bemidji State University
- Jenny Estevez — Fashion Institute of Technology
- Lydia Lee — Fashion Institute of Technology
- Maya Peters — Fashion Institute of Technology
- Grace Warnick — Fashion Institute of Technology
Finalists were selected through TEDA’s fully transparent adjudication process, with entries evaluated by an expert panel of judges on criteria including Concept and Design, Creativity and Innovation, Graphics and Messaging, Attraction and Immersion, and Overall Impact.
“These seven finalists didn’t just submit competent student work — they submitted ideas that practicing professionals would be proud of,” said Travis Stanton, Executive Director of TEDA. “The level of strategic thinking behind these designs, not just the aesthetics, is what made them stand out.” Stanton added that this year’s competition was incredibly competitive, with more than twice as many entries as in 2025.
Each finalist will receive a $250 travel stipend to attend the ExSys Awards ceremony on July 28 at Moss Inc. headquarters in Chicago, Illinois, hosted by Exhibit City News. Gold, silver, and bronze award winners in the Student Design category will receive additional cash prizes of $1,000, $750, and $500, respectively, courtesy of The Experiential Design Authority.
“Supporting the next generation of experiential design professionals is central to what TEDA is built to do,” Stanton added. “These students are going to shape this industry. Getting to play even a small role in recognizing their talent and putting their names in front of the people who will one day hire, mentor, and empower them is the part of this job that matters most to me.”
The 2026 ExSys Awards ceremony will be hosted by Stanton and Marlena Sullivan, Managing Editor of Exhibit City News. The evening will bring together exhibit designers, producers, manufacturers, students, and trade show professionals for an evening of networking, recognition, and industry celebration.
For more information about the 2026 ExSys Awards, visit experientialdesignauthority.com. And to register to attend the July 28 ceremony in Chicago, visit gc2e4j9b1f.mirabelpages.com/exsys-awards-checkout-page.
About The Experiential Design Authority
The Experiential Design Authority is an international body dedicated to providing affordable, unbiased, and wholly transparent recognition opportunities for experiential marketers and designers worldwide. TEDA oversees the ExSys Awards, the World Expolympics, and additional recognition programs honoring excellence in exhibits, events, expos, and immersive experiences. All net profits generated via competition entry fees support student design competitions, internship stipends, and emerging talent initiatives. For more information, visit experientialdesignauthority.com.
