Eight design students awarded by the Design Institute of Australia

The GOTYA program is a unique awards program created to support and celebrate exceptional designers from around Australia in the early stages of their career. The program is instrumental in providing tertiary institutions and design graduates with vital, real-life feedback from experienced designers and industry figures.

“We are very proud of the eight students who have been recognised across the country for their excellence by the Design Institute of Australia, says Design and Creative Technology faculty Dean Scott Thompson-Whiteside. “We have received more awards than any University at a national level."

The Graduate of the Year Awards is highly competitive and for so many students to be awarded is recognition of the high quality education at Torrens University, and our continued focus on education for industry-ready graduates. These will be the future leaders of our design industry and we can’t wait to see their careers grow.

This year there was a record number of entries with 42 students submitting their work. All of course supported by an amazing support team of academics to help get them there.

Design students leading the way 

Elicia Muratoglu was awarded QLD Interior Decoration Graduate of the Year and will now progress to further judging with the National winners announced end of October. You can see some of Elicia’s work here.

"I am so humbled and grateful to have received the state award for Interior Design and Decoration from the Design Institute of Australia", says Elicia Muratoglu.

Elicia has high praise for Billy Blue College of Design at Torrens University Australia tutors acknowledging they’re all design professionals in their own right who have provided relevant guidance through the software journey of 2D and 3D design and imagery.

"All of these skills I’ll find incredibly useful in the continuation of my career.”

High praise for Billy Blue students at the Graduate of the Year Awards

• QLD Interior Decoration Graduate of the Year - Elicia Muratoglu
• QLD Interior Decoration Award of Merit - Daniel Martin
• QLD Fashion Design Award of Merit - Joshua Djordjewitsch
• NSW / ACT Interior Decoration Award of Merit - Stephanie Geha
• NSW / ACT Visual Communication Design Award of Merit - Helen Yu, Stella Ho and Rachel Driessen
• VIC / TAS Interior Decoration Award of Merit - India Elsdon

Congratulations to everyone involved! Keep an eye on our social channels as we’ll be showcasing their work over the coming weeks.