Cork Design Challenge
We teamed up with Corkway to host a cork design challenge. Design in Vizcom, make it real with Corkway.
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The brief:
Cork in spaces we live, gather, and work. This challenge encourages you to think creatively about cork’s versatility—its sustainability, texture, durability, and acoustic qualities.
Timeline
May 25, 2026
June 8, 2026
June 23, 2026
Read the challenge brief. Design your cork concept in Vizcom.
Submit your final design images, description, and Vizcom file by June 8, 2026 @11:59 PM EST.
Our judging panel will select the Top 3 designs to be made real. Your design will be produced and shipped to you.
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About Corkway
Corkway is a Portugal based B2B cork company focused on developing and producing original cork projects for designers/architects or brands.
Prompt
Cork in spaces we live, gather, and work
We invite designers to explore cork as a material in spaces where we live, gather, and work. This challenge encourages you to think creatively about cork’s versatility—its sustainability, texture, durability, and acoustic qualities.
How could cork enhance the comfort, experience, or functionality of a home? Could it redefine public installations or elevate office spaces?
We’re looking for concepts that push boundaries while staying grounded in practical or inspiring use.
Design Scope:
- Home: Think of wall coverings, or décor that reimagines living spaces.
- Public Spaces: Consider installations, seating, or wayfinding that transforms your favourite communal areas.
- Office: Envision solutions that enhance workspaces—like sound-absorbing partitions, ergonomic elements, office knickknacks, or creative meeting areas.
Constraints
- Your design must be able to be CNC milled
- Painted cork designs must be RAL colors
- Must be at least 70% cork
- Supplementary material can only be metal or plastic
- Objects must be no larger than 890 (L) x 590 (W) x 180 (H) mm in total volume
Challenge guide
Open this guide to access everything you need for this challenge.
Guide includes details on the manufacturing process, a starter template file and resources to get started.
Office hours
Join our open office hours throughout the competition to get feedback on your work. Register via Zoom:
- Office hours #1: May 28 @ 12:00 PM ET
- Office hours #2: June 5 @ 10:00 AM ET
Challenge stages
Stage 1: Design your cork concept in Vizcom
Participants have two weeks to design and submit their cork designs. Designs must be made in Vizcom and must meet the submission guidelines to qualify for judging.
Stage 2: Judging and evaluation
Using the judging criteria below, the Vizcom and Corkway team will shortlist and announce the top 30 submissions.
Our judging panel will then select the top 3 submissions that will move on to production with Corkway.
Note: Decisions cannot be appealed. Winners will be selected based on the judges' collective assessment.
Stage 3: Production
The top 3 submissions will 3D model their designs to meet the Corkway production guidelines. Corkway will CNC Mill parts from cork blocks.
The Vizcom and Corkway team will provide assistance here as needed. 3D modelling knowledge is not necessary, but is a bonus.
Stage 4: Wrap up
The Vizcom team will produce and ship samples of your final creation once complete. Vizcom will work directly with the winners to produce spotlight content.
Timelines
- Submissions open: May 25 @ 9:00 AM ET
- Office hours #1: May 28 @ 12:00 PM ET
- Office hours #2: June 5 @ 10:00 AM ET
- Submission deadline: June 8 @ 11:59 PM ET
- Top 30 announced: June 16
- Top 3 announced: June 23
- Production begins: Month of July
Once winners are selected, we’ll reach out and work with the designers to kickstart stage 3 of the production process.
Submission process
Submit your work here. Submissions must include:
- Full name
- Project name
- Project description
- Project inspiration
- Vizcom project file link*
- Main hero image
- Five final design images
- One optional animation file
* The file must include a 3D model generated in Vizcom
Note: You will own the IP of the designs you create.
Judging Criteria
Submissions will be evaluated by a panel of judges based on the following criteria.
Creativity & Material Innovation (40%)
Originality of the concept and how inventively cork is used. How well does the design explore the cork’s texture, flexibility, acoustic properties, and sustainability in surprising or meaningful ways.
Design Quality & Spatial Experience (25%)
How well does the concept integrate into a space? Consider how the design enhances atmosphere, usability, and visual appeal within its intended environment.
Process & Use of Vizcom (15%)
Effectiveness of your creative workflow using Vizcom. Show how you explored ideas, iterated on concepts, and developed your design—from early sketches to refined outputs.
Feasibility & Material Understanding (20%)
Consideration of real-world application and production. How well your design could realistically be produced and implemented.
Alignment with Brief (10%)
How well does the design address the use of cork in home, public, or office spaces? Strong entries clearly connect to one (or more) of these contexts while enhancing comfort, functionality, or experience.
Your next idea could be the one we make real
Join our live challenges and submit your design for a chance to see it manufactured and shipped to you. Not ready yet? Sign up to get the next challenge in your inbox.