From First Submission to First Place

Designers don't always get a moment to be acknowledged in this industry. Maggie Chen knows this well, and it's exactly why winning a CET Award meant so much to her.

Maggie didn't start out chasing a design career. She has an accounting degree, picked almost by default after a conversation with her dad. "There's always a right answer in accounting," she says. "But in design, it's endless. It's challenging. But once you complete a project, it's really fulfilling." A soft spot for HGTV-style flip shows did the rest.

Maggie accepting the Configura Award for best Render Vs. Reality at Experience 2024.

Learning CET on the Job

Within about a year of using CET daily, she had enough confidence in her work to submit for an award. But getting there took intentional learning. Maggie worked through CET's full training track and found the live sessions made the biggest difference.

"They push you to figure things out," she says. "Sometimes another designer asks a question you didn't even think of and you're like, yeah, I'm wondering that too."

Configura offers in-person training at Experience and throughout the year. Learn more at the academy. 

a goal she set for herself

Maggie first heard about the CET Awards at a virtual conference. She'd never submitted anything, but looked through past winners' work and set herself a goal. The kind a former student athlete sets: submit next year.

There's a competitive streak in Maggie that traces back to tennis. But for her it's about more than winning. "It can be easy for designers to feel like they're working behind the scenes," she says. "I'm really happy that CET Awards is a way to let designers be in front, get noticed, and get recognized."

Maggie's first-place Render vs. Reality submission, Configura Awards 2024.

The Email That Changed Things

When Maggie submitted her first entry, her goal wasn't to win. It was just to try. Her company hadn't even planned to send her to the conference that year.

Then the emails started. Top five. Top three. "I told my company, they're like, oh, so you might have a chance. And I'm like, maybe."

"I was both shocked and thrilled. I couldn't believe it happened, and I was just so happy I achieved this great thing in such a short time."

- Maggie

Instead of a cash incentive, Maggie asked to attend Experience in person. "I think it's just way more valuable going in person than getting cash," she says.

Maggie's second-place Render vs. Reality submission, Configura Awards 2025.

why she keeps coming back

"If you're hesitating, just go and enjoy it. You'll see how great it is."

- Maggie

She set a goal, submitted her work, and won. Twice. Your turn.

The Configura Awards ceremony at Experience 2025.

Ready for your own story?

Think you have what it takes? Submit your work for this year's Configura Awards and find out, just like Maggie did.

Want to see it in person? Join designers like Maggie at Experience 2026, October 6–8 in Cincinnati, OH. Register now.

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