FAQs

Entry Process and Requirements

What are the steps for submitting an entry

1) Sign up for a free membership profile;

2) Once you’re a member, login with your username and password, and you will be directed to the submissions page;

3) Fill in the required information and upload your submission;

4) Proceed to payment.

For inquiries contact the OPAL team

What information do I need to provide to submit my project?

For submissions you need to provide the following information:

• Lead Interior Designer, Architect or Property Developer (required)
• List of Team Members (optional)
• Project Name (required)
• Client (optional)
• Category(ies) (required)
• Brief description of the project (required)
• Upload images and/or PDF description of the project
• Add links to project (videos, online materials, website, etc) (optional)

On what principles does the Jury evaluate a project entry?

The Jury panel evaluates entries based on its creativity, form and function. The project needs to be clear on its relationship to its environment, its users, and its purpose. Creativity is not enough to be convincing; it needs to show useful function and provide a better living experience for its users, meeting the clients’ expectation. Projects that demonstrate innovation and embracing new technologies, setting new trends, respecting the environment, and pushing boundaries of human ingenuity. Projects with high regard to sustainable building practises and the protection and preservation of the environment will also earn special attention from the jury.

Do I need to pay the submission fee before submitting the project?

No, submission fees are the last step in processing your payment. Please create your entry and make sure it is finalized before submitting your payment.

What are the requirements for supporting images and documents?

Up to 10 supporting images can be submitted with each project. An image can be a JPEG (.jpeg, .jpg) or PNG (.png). One image is for the cover photo to identify the entry and the remaining 9 are supporting images of the entry. Images must not exceed 4MB per file and a minimum of 1000 pixels wide. Please only use letters and numbers in the title of the image.
If your entry has a project specification, you have an option to upload one PDF file in A4 or letter-sized format. The PDF must not exceed 4MB.

Can I cancel my submission and get a refund?

Once a submission fee has been paid, there are no refunds provided. If you have been wrongly charged for any reason, we will be happy to credit the amount that is due.

Can I make changes to my entry after I have paid?

You will not be able to edit your submission after payment has been made. For this reason, please review your project carefully and make sure that the entries are submitted correctly before finalising payment.

What shall I do if I have trouble uploading my images?

First, check that the image does not exceed the maximum size of 4MB, that it is the right format which is either JPEG (.jpeg, .jpg) or PNG (.png)and that the file name contains only letters or numbers and no other characters. Once you’ve checked that these things are in order, try to upload your images again. If you’re still having trouble after this, contact our support staff at support@outstandingpropertyaward.com

How will I know if OPAL has received my entry?

You should receive a confirmation email from us shortly after you submit and pay for your project. If you do not receive an email, please verify that your email is correct in our records by logging into the member’s “Home” section and selecting “Profile” that leads to “Edit Profile”.  In addition, if you are using spam-blocking software, please add “outstandingpropertyaward.com” to your list of approved recipients. If, after doing both of these things, you do not receive an email, please log in to the member’s “Home” section, and click on “History” to view your submission status and make sure that all your entries have been paid for.

How will I know if my submission is complete, and what do I do if it is not?

You may check on your entry status at any time by logging into the member’s “Home” section with your username and password, and click on “History”. NOTE: If a submission is incomplete when the window for submissions has closed (i.e. the submission fee has not been paid, or the images have not been uploaded correctly), the submission will not be eligible for juried consideration. Though we make every effort to make contact and to ensure completion of submissions, we are not responsible for incomplete entries and are unable to offer a refund should an entry be incomplete once the submissions window is closed.

What is the “History” feature of the member’s “Home” section and how do I use it?

The “History” page feature allows you to view the status of your submissions, to verify that images have been uploaded correctly, to print receipts, and to make payments. The page also shows a shows your winning entries where you can download certificates, seals and press release.

Do I have to be based in the UK to participate?

No, The Outstanding Property Award London is open to projects from all over the world.

Does my project have to be designed or developed in the UK?

No, projects don’t have to be designed or developed within the UK to participate in the competition. OPAL is open to projects located anywhere the world.

Can I submit a project that has won an award or has been entered in a previous OPAL competition?

Yes, you may submit projects that have been submitted or that has won an award in a previous competition. However, in an effort to promote the creation of new projects and the fresh flow of ideas, we encourage you to submit new projects as much as possible.

Categories and Submission

Can I enter one project into multiple categories?

You may enter the same project into as many categories as you see fit. In fact, doing so may increase your chances of winning. However, there is an additional fee for each additional category you enter.

Is there a limit to the number of entries I can submit?

No, you may submit as many entries as you wish, and if you submit multiple entries at the same time, you will receive a special reduction in the submissions fee for the additional entries.

Can several projects be submitted together, or should I submit each project separately?

The jury will select the winners in each category based on individual projects, ie. not as an entire portfolio of projects, so each project should be submitted as a separate entry.

Does my project need to be completed to be submitted?

We accept both completed, in progress and conceptual projects. Finished projects must be completed within the past five years.

Do I have to be an Interior Designer, Architect or Property Developer to participate?

OPAL welcomes creative thinkers from around the world to participate. You don’t have to be one of the above categories to submit your project. Creative and innovative thinkers can also submit projects for consideration by submitting in the most appropriate of the 3 main categories.

Do I have to provide project plans or can I just submit photographs?

You are not required to submit your drawings, floor plans or project plans. However, we encourage participants to submit as much information as possible for a better representation of your project. We understand that every project is unique, therefore, you have the freedom to submit any information that you think is suitable. We encourage you to provide a plan of at least one part of the project. This is to ensure our jury will have enough information for project evaluation.

Use of Images

How will my uploaded images be used?

Your images will only be used for purposes of promotion of the OPAL Award. Through our global reach, your images will be viewed with your credit all around the world. All participants thus far have been extremely happy with the manner in which their images have been used and promoted globally.

Copyright and all other rights remain with the creator. Any images used by OPAL shall carry the creator’s name credit. OPAL may use images in any media sponsor publications. All entrants understand that any image submitted to the competition may be used by OPAL for marketing and promotional purposes including in any medium such as exhibitions, print, and digital media directly related to OPALs’ competition though there may not be monetary compensation. By winning or placing in the competition, you are agreeing to be included in the annual Winners Book.

Neither OPAL, affiliates, or partners assume any responsibility for materials submitted in violation of competition rules or for those which violate copyright regulations. OPAL will investigate claims of copyright infringement to the best of its ability and will remove and disqualify submissions that are clearly demonstrated to violate copyright and/or competition policies. OPAL will act to maintain the integrity of the competition and its affiliated entities but is not responsible for any damages resulting from images submitted in violation of rules and regulations.

Will I be compensated for the use of my images?

There is no monetary remuneration for the use of your image. Please make sure you have the full copyright before entering any images.

Payment

Can I make changes to my entry after I have paid?

No, after payment has been made, entries cannot be altered. Please review your project entry carefully before finalising payment.

How do I pay for the entry?

You can pay for your submission online via PayPal or credit card.

Are all the fees in GBP?

Yes, the fees are in GBP (British pounds) and can be paid by international credit cards.

Judging

Who are the Judges?

Our list of jurors consists of a wide variety of esteemed industry professionals, educators, influencers and editors who are devoted to interior design, architecture, and Property Development.

For a complete list of the jury members please visit the jury page.

How does the Judging work?

Each project entry is assessed by the Jury panel purely on its own merit and not competing against other entries. OPAL rewards creative, innovative and sustainable thinking.

You can learn about our judging process here.

Can I Receive Judges Rating or Comments?

Due to the overwhelming scope of the competition, our judges are unable to provide individual feedback on projects.

Awards

Will I be notified if I’ve won an award?

We do notify award winners by email, however, in unfortunate cases it is possible that notifications get caught in server filters and you may not receive the email notification. Fortunately, you can always check to see if you’ve won any awards by logging into the Member Section and clicking on Winner Services.

Do the category winners receive an award or certificate at the Awards reception in London?

The Trophy will be given to the overall winners of the Outstanding Property Award London.

All other Winners; Platinum Winners, Winners, Honorable Mentions and Official Selection will receive certificates that can be printed by going to your History page where it shows the records of all your submissions as well as a downloadable logo and press release. All the winning projects will also be featured in the annual OPAL Book. Additional benefits are:

• A press campaign directed to hundreds of thousands of relating industry professionals, press, and potential clients worldwide,
• A profile in the OPAL online directory, making it easier for you to be reached by prospective customers,
• the OPAL Certificate of Achievement,
• the OPAL Winners Seal to promote winning online and in printed material.