Billy Blue students shine at the 2024 DIA Graduate of the Year Awards

This prestigious event celebrates exceptional talent and innovation in the design field, and our students are making their mark. The DIA Awards are the benchmark for Australian design excellence and the ultimate accolade for design professionals. Underpinned by the core values and purpose of Australia’s peak national design body, the Design Institute of Australia (DIA), the awards champion collaboration, conversation and deep listening. They recognise our collective commitment to Australian designers and their influence on culture and society.

Celebrating Billy Blue’s emerging designers

This year, Billy Blue College of Design students scooped up two Graduate of the Year and two State Winners as well as six Commendations, showcasing their creativity and dedication with projects reflecting a diverse range of ideas and approaches, highlighting their unique perspectives and skills.

Congratulations to Jacek Ciok, taking out the Vocational Place Award earning the NSW - Graduate of the Year, and Holly Theissen, for the Vocational Interact Award making NSW - Graduate of the Year.

Vy Nguyen and Andrei Cabaero were both successful as State Winners in the Place and Interact categories across Queensland and New South Wales.

Wins create career success and employability

The Graduates of the Year Awards, initiated in 2003, serve as a cornerstone for recognizing and nurturing emerging designers in Australia.

Professor Scott Thompson-Whiteside, Executive Dean of Design and Creative Technology at Torrens University, expressed his pride in the winners:

“These students have not only demonstrated their creative talents but also the tenacity required to enter this competitive arena and be judged by leading industry experts. By participating in this competition, they’ve gained invaluable skills in preparing and pitching their work—essential tools for any successful design career,” said Scott.

“At Torrens University, our Billy Blue Design courses empower students to harness their creative abilities while acquiring the skills employers seek.

“We aim to make sure our graduates are not only creative thinkers but also business professionals who are highly sought after by organizations that value innovative design,” said Scott.

Meet Our 2024 Graduate of the Year Winners

PLACE CATEGORY – Spaces we live, work, play

Jacek Ciok, NSW - Graduate of the Year - Vocational: Diploma of Interior Design and Decoration

Vy Nguyen, QLD – State Winner Vocational: Diploma of Interior Design and Decoration

Randy Balot, NSW – Commendation Vocational: Diploma of Interior Design and Decoration 

Amy Ryan, NSW – Commendation Vocational: Diploma of Interior Design and Decoration 

Chevorn Mason, QLD – Commendation Higher Education: Bachelor of Interior Design (Commercial)

USE CATEGORY – Objects we use

Ecem Dik, NSW – Commendation Higher Education Bachelor of Branded Fashion Design

INTERACT CATEGORY – What, who or how we interact with things

Holly Theissen, NSW - Graduate of the Year Vocational: Diploma of Graphic Design

Andrei Cabaero, NSW – State Winner Higher Education: Bachelor of Communication Design

Rachel Armstrong, NSW – Commendation Higher Education: Bachelor of Communication Design

Alicia Devereaux, NSW - Commendation Higher Education: Bachelor of Communication Design