Columbia, Maryland (February 29, 2008)--Nemetschek North America, makers of VectorWorks Architect software, announces the “Design Your Future” VectorWorks 2008 design competition for students of architecture. Sponsored by Architect magazine and supported by the American Institute of Architecture Students (AIAS), this competition is open to any student enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate collegiate-level design program anywhere in the U.S. Students graduating in winter 2007/2008 or in spring 2008 are eligible with proof of student status.

“We are excited about this chance to showcase the work of the architectural designers of the future,” says Nick La Forest, Nemetschek North America’s academic program manager. “And, our free student software program provides students with a chance to create those designs using VectorWorks Architect.”

Participants will choose one of three VectorWorks templates provided by Nemetschek North America, representing the three competition categories: interior environment (ambience), functionality, and design integration. Nemetschek North America staff will prescreen entries and choose category winners. The designers with the highest score in each category will win an all-expenses-paid trip to the AIA 2008 National Convention and Design Exposition in Boston, May 15-17, 2008. At the convention, each winner will present his or her design to a panel of accomplished architecture educators and professionals, who will select a grand prize winner for overall design excellence. The grand prize winner will be announced at the convention. The winning project will be featured in a national publication and in Nemetschek North America’s company newsletter (the eDispatch). Additionally, NNA will publicize the winner on its website and in a press release to the architectural community.

The deadline for receipt of entries is April 25, 2008. For competition rules and entry information, go to http://www.vectorworks.net/contest

Nemetschek North America is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Nemetschek Group. A global leader in design technologies, Nemetschek North America has been developing CAD software for the AEC, entertainment, landscape design, and manufacturing fields since 1985. VectorWorks, its flagship product, is one of the world's best-selling cross-platform CAD applications. An all-in-one solution that's easier to learn and use and more cost-effective than most other CAD programs, VectorWorks is ideal for firms that don't have unlimited IT budgets. For more information, visit www.nemetschek.net